Keith Emerson: The Official Illustrated Story – Book Review

After the release of their official 2021 Emerson, Lake & Palmer The book was published by London-based publisher Rocket 88 Keith Emerson: The Official Illustrated History, a deeply personal, introspective tome written by Chris Welch, a veteran British rock journalist (and one of the few to have supported ELP). There are countless exciting stories and memories from family members, friends, colleagues and associates of the musician. Plus, this hardcover beauty is packed with tons of previously unreleased photos to keep your eyes peeled while your brain follows the action.

The book is a mixture of photos, quotes from the interviews Welch conducted, and little facts and figures to tie the whole story together. It is cleverly divided into seven movements – scherzo, allegro, concerto, symphony, fugue and anthem – as if to emphasize the point that changes experienced in life often simulate the working parts of a piece of classical music. For a man who aspired to be a composer whose name would one day be mentioned in the same breath as Aaron Copeland, George Gershwin and Irving Berlin, the format could not be more appropriate.

From a humble but musical upbringing in a small parish town in central England, to the clubs of London, then on to the Nice, followed by the massive success of Emerson, Lake & Palmer and all that came after – it’s all addressed and discussed . Mandy Chapman, Emerson’s cousin, fills in the blanks about his formative years. We find out that Emerson’s father was also a musician, her young nephew learned to improvise in Chapman’s mother’s dance classes, and that most family members were supportive of young Keith Emerson’s musical ambitions.

Once Emerson goes pro, things change and escalate pretty quickly. With the Nice he soon became known as a showman behind the Hammond. The band’s bassist, Lee Jackson, along with Yes members Alan White, Rick Wakeman, Steve Howe and Geoff Downes, delight us all with tales of the days of the Nice and the wild keyboardist who somehow changed his role and brought the instrument with him to the front. We also meet Emerson’s only wife, Eleanor, who met the musician in 1969. They married in 1970 and stayed together for the next 26 years.

It’s a shame Greg Lake, who died just months after Emerson died in 2016, couldn’t be a part of this book. Most of the insight into ELP comes from the last survivor – drummer Carl Palmer. Reading Emerson and Lake’s memoir will give you a sense of the sometimes controversial but always complementary bond the two shared. This is more about the sweat, dedication and hard work that went into the group, from Palmer’s point of view, and how much of a pioneer Emerson was at a time when ELP was becoming one of the biggest bands in the world.

Further feedback from the Yes camp, along with manager Stewart Young, personal assistant Andrew Lane and roadie Peter “Rocky” Morley, certainly attests to Emerson’s discipline, persistence and drive to take risks both on and off stage. Not surprisingly, the concert movement is the longest.

For the symphony movement, the focus is on Emerson’s domestic life with his wife, children, grandchildren and friends – all of whom come to mind with memories of the Maestro. Along the way, we learn of a fire in Emerson’s Stonehill household that would have a tremendous impact on the master’s mental psyche. Loving thoughts from Emerson’s sons Aaron and Damon, daughter-in-law Jo, grandson Ethan, and friend Jim Davidson lead to 2006 when two things happened: Emerson and Wakeman talk about working together (but never) and meeting Mari Kawaguchi. the keyboarder’s girlfriend to the end.

Activity in the ’80s, ’90s, and ’00s might not match the excitement and glamor of ELP, but those who worked and knew Emerson during those years can’t say enough good things about him. Musicians he played with at the time such as Robert Berry, Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, Dave Kilminster and Marc Bonilla all remember Emerson with great affection and admiration. Things finally ended with 2010’s ELP High Voltage reunion and the circumstances surrounding Emerson’s declining ability to play due to various medical and health issues.

Even as the awards poured in, Keith Emerson struggled both physically and mentally with not being able to play at the level he once could. The news of his unfortunate suicide in 2016 filled his family, friends, colleagues and fans with great sadness. While those closest to him try to explain his supposed mental state, they also share the pain of his loss.

The closing thoughts that fill the Anthem sentence arguably do Emerson justice the best. Greg Lake’s wife Regina Lake shares a particularly poignant moment when her husband and the keyboardist were rehearsing together ahead of the ELP reunion. No need to share the details here, but suffice it to say it’s a beautiful way to summarize Keith Emerson and Greg Lake’s work and personal relationship that lasted almost to the end of their lives.

As you close the book you not only get a keen sense of Keith Emerson, the great keyboard wizard of Nice and ELP, you get a sense of his humanity, his humor, his humility, his wit, his spirit, his fearlessness and his love for everything and everyone around him dear to him. Fans, observers and admirers alike will find something to appreciate and ponder after reading either of the deluxe editions – the Classic and the Signature Keith Emerson: The Official Illustrated History.

~ Shawn Perry