For example, during the TV coverage of the 1998 Major League Baseball "Home Run Derby" (part of the All Star Game festivities), Chris Berman of the ESPN network introduced the Baltimore Orioles’ Rafael Palmeiro as "Rafael – Emerson, Lake, and – Palmeiro. And in the first round, oh what a lucky man he was…" Well, I don’t know for sure that Mr. Berman is an ELP fan but he certainly is aware of the band and the name recognition that ELP has established over the years. And, from other reports, this isn’t the first ELP reference that he has made over the years.

Of course, for every jovial ELP reference you can find one (or more) not so positive mentions. After all, ELP has always been a lightning rod for critics. That’s part of the territory you inherit when you are among the most successful purveyors of a part of popular culture. I remember that syndicated columnist Bob Greene once wrote a piece about his idea of a good jukebox and made some allusion to NOT having any progressive rock such as ELP on it. Being an impulsive teen (at least I think I was teen; early 20s at the latest), I wrote a letter to the Editor of my local paper defending ELP and progressive rock. One can almost see the foreshadowing of the 'activist' who would go on to co-found ELP’s internet newsletter: the ELP Digest. (Not the greatest name in the world, but that’s a contest for another day.) [ Insert gratuitous plug for web site here: http://bliss.berkeley.edu/elp ]

Perhaps ELP’s music isn’t the same rock and roll as you’d expect from the Rolling Stones or the Kinks or Living Colour (all of which are bands I also like). But, to some extent, that’s the point. I don’t want every band I like to sound alike. Over the years, I’ve detected one thing in common about the bands that would rank as my favorites: they all show a remarkable variety and versatility. So, when people ask me why I like ELP, I respond by saying I like ELP for the same reasons I like the Beatles: a first listen readily identifies the band from the sound and textures but a closer listen reveals a tremendous range of aural and lyrical talent.

Earlier this week, a colleague at work asked me which ELP album I’d recommend to a novice ELP listener. I pondered this for a while and realized that, rather than inflicting my preferences on him, I could easily maximize the chance that his first ELP listen be pleasant and interesting by matching his musical preferences to the various ELP albums. For example, I’d suggest Trilogy for a jazzier preference, Brain Salad Surgery for electronic tastes, Works Vol. 1 for classical tastes, etc. When you think about it, there aren’t many bands with this broad a reach and this is only 3 of their albums. Of course, for the true tour de force of what 3 musicians can do live - from the wild electronics of the live ‘Toccata’ to the jazz improvisations and more - I still rank "Welcome Back My Friends to the Show that Never Ends, Ladies and Gentlemen, Emerson, Lake & Palmer" as one of the great drive-time albums of all time. (Not to mention that it must win some kind of award for long album name!)

As you can tell, I think ELP has something to offer for everyone - from the Greg Lake ballads to the Keith Emerson piano compositions and arrangements to the Carl Palmer percussion extravaganza. But, if you’ve read this far, you probably already know that. Which reminds me of one last thing… Having corresponded with ELP fans from around the world over the past 7+ years, I think it’s safe to say that we all share one interest in common: music. ELP isn’t about fashion. It isn’t about catering to or following the whims of popular culture. It’s about music.

And, if you’re like me and lucky enough to live near one of this summer’s ELP tour stops, you’re anxious to hear the music in person this August. "I’ll be there. I’ll be there. I will be there." And I hope that when ELP comes to your part of the world, you’ll be there, too.

Till next time,

John