The life and legacy of legendary keyboard giant Keith Emerson is to be remembered in aa book featuring stories, with tributes, alongside rare and unseen photographs.
This lavish, fully illustrated book features family, friends, colleagues, and fans talking to respected rock journalist and author Chris Welch about the life, work and influence of Keith Emerson, taking in his time from before and up to The Nice, through to ELP, and taking in both 3 to The Keith Emerson Band.
Illustrated throughout with previously unseen photos from family, friends, and professional photographers, this official celebration will tell the remarkable tale of Emerson’s musical evolution, his personal relationships, and the creation of his astounding musical legacy.
The book includes new interviews with the keyboard player’s children, ex-wife, close personal friends, Mari Kawaguchi, Carl Palmer, Rick Wakeman, Lee Jackson, Jeff ‘Skunk’ Baxter, Alan White, Dave Kilminster, Marc Bonilla, Rachel Flowers, Darius Brubeck, Geoff Downes, and others.
The book draws on the private Emerson family archives for photographs of the man at home, at work and play. Close family and friends share memories and stories from throughout his life, revealing the true man, while fellow musicians from the worlds of prog, rock and classical attest to Keith’s talent and dedication, while others who worked with him tell of his spirit, generosity and sense of humour.
Keith Emerson, The Official Illustrated Story will be published by Rocket 88, and celebrates the life and legacy of the man who first played the Hammond organ like a lead guitarist, introduced the European classical music tradition to rock fans with The Nice and helped create the template for prog rock with the very first Moog synthesizers with ELP. He also wrote movie soundtracks, performed with world-renowned jazz musicians, and toured the world as a solo artist. All of that and more is explored in this deluxe book.
Talent runs in the Emerson family, and here at RAMzine we present a video of the maestro’s grandson, Ethan Emerson, performing ‘Quatermass Boogie Woogie’ on Keith’s old Steinway piano.
The book itself is now available for pre-order by clicking here.
