If this isn’t the most violent keyboard solo ever, I don’t know what is.
ELP’s Keith Emerson delivers the type of full-bodied solo that helped redefine the role of keyboards in rock.
Captured in Belgium in 1971, Emerson first throws the keyboard around and then drops it onto his body for a little simulated sex.
Then he stabs it a knife, plays a few wailing riffs, stabs it with more knives and jumps on it. Finally, Emerson throws a knife at his piano for good measure.
Don’t try this at home!
This was vandalism…was he stoned? I hope that he fixed it after some live shows and didn’t just throw it away…The fact is that it was a very durable instrument though…
Keith Emerson is brilliant beyond compare. ELP’s music is a direct influence on Final Fantasy’s battle tunes, and many people don’t realize this. It was a revelation to hear Tarkus and then make this connection.
Thanx for sharing this vid, I actually heard stories of this in Keyboard mag years ago, but didn’t think to look it up when YouTube got invented. =)
Keith was doing this same kinda schpiel in the 2000’s. I’ve seen ELP play 3 times and he always did this. Great stuff. Dunno how anyone can play a keyboard upsidedown.
Alex – it would be meaningless if he didn’t also have the amazing keyboard chops.
Yes that is a great solo! I always was a littlesorry for keyboardists because they can't maneuver around like you can with a guitar! Keith sure changed that! Altho this is just a piece of that performance! The whole 18:30 version is on "The Live Broadcasts" with a great drum solo in the middle! Gotta watch the whole thing! ELP at it early best!
Yes that is a great solo! I always was a littlesorry for keyboardists because they can't maneuver around like you can with a guitar! Keith sure changed that! Altho this is just a piece of that performance! The whole 18:30 version is on "The Live Broadcasts" with a great drum solo in the middle! Gotta watch the whole thing! ELP at it early best!
SO is this not working eithe?
Totally agreed!
That is a great solo!
So is the Aw1234 stalking troll still following me?
I hope he had warranty…
Well his roadies do the repairwork between shows!
Hey Macalexter! Yes it's the user formerly known as ELP. Just wanted to let you know I finally got the "In The Hot Seat" album! THX for the encouragement! 🙂
Another great performance: “America”, live in ’68:
http://youtu.be/Dg9jHTYZ-6U