Our seats were OK. Bleachers. But we thought, Nautica's so small, It won't matter much. So my friends and I go to get drinks and come back, to find one of the security people handing my mom (yes,we had to bring my mom, we're all to young to drive!) four tickets for seats 8 rows away from the stage! We flipped!

Then there was the performance! It was absolutly magnificent! We loved it! We went wild! And if any of the band members read this, we were the screaming fools waving the bright green sign. It was awesome! And to top it off, as the band walked off, Keith Emerson shook our hands! As you could expect, THAT WAS IT! We went COMPLETELY through the roof! I pity my mom, who had to drag us uot of there, and drive home, with us three in the backseat, screaming at the top of our lungs, and blasting the sterio. And then put up with a noisy after-concert-party, that lasted until around four am. It was pretty cool.

Then 98's show rolls around. We all got tickets again. My mother noticably cringed. We all looked foward to it for weeks. But were kind of worried that this year might not be as much fun as last year, because we were convinced that NOTHING could top of 97'. So we get there, and sit through Dream Theater,(we hated it!) I had brought an old copy of Works Volume One, formerly my dad, who got it as soon as it came ot, in 77' or whenever. FINALLY ElP takes the stage! We go nuts. It was really fun! But SHORT! After the show ended, I talked to one of the roadies, to see if he could send me to someone who could get my album signed. He said that he would take it, and get it signed for me HIMSELF! I immediatly declared him a saint. He said to meet him back where the light& sound stuff was, after Deep Purple. So, we went back to our seats, and sat through two tortorous hours of Purple noise. We nearly dozed off. But afterwards, we went back to the light& sound stuff, and sure enough, He had gotten it signed! We went COMPLETELY berzerk, with my friends yelling and screaming, and me choking back tears, and laughing. My mom, was not celebrating, but had a look like ( oh god, another long night!) And it was! Another glorious evening courtesy of Emerson Lake & Palmer! So there you have it. Each year I've seen them has surpassed the last in the amount of fun had at a show. Maybe, in 1999, I'll get to meet them! Thanks for reading!

Jessi@aol.com, Graden@aol.com

I sat in row 10, in front of Keith (I helped hold a place in the ticket line for two weeks for the show). It was a fantastic show. We even had binoculars to see the sweat dripping off the boys. To top it off, Carl threw me one of his drumsticks at the end.

Ben Jilka
(bjilka@iland.net)

Randy Edwards
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Randy199@AOL.COM

AJGDLG@aol.com

Hey guys, you can come back to Peoria and play, you know. We like you here!

Best,
Conrad Stinnett

Scott F. Feighner
SFeighn@aol.com

From then on I was hooked and was absolutely thrilled that Martin managed to get some tickets for the ELP show at Forest National in Brussels - 1st of April 1973, price 120BF, so..we were there! That concert was my first rock concert experience and the sheer power, pace, quality and volume simply blew me away! I remember being slightly deaf for a few hours after the concert...Greg's parting comment at the end of the concert was 'We'll see you next year!'. Sadly I don't think that ever happened. One nice item I remember was that Diana Ross was appearing in Brussels at that week and the reviews of her and ELP were done by the same columnist in 'THE BULLETIN' - an english weekly journal that still exists today in Brussels. After reviewing the ELP show, the reviewer simpy said ' I find it hard to talk about Diana Ross on the same page, good though she is the power and magnitude of the ELP concert has left me speechless!'

I felt the same...

After that I completed school and returned to the UK for higher education and looked forward to the day when ELP would return. Then in 1977 it happened and the Melody Maker headline read 'ELP ARE BACK'... with Works Vol.1. Sadly I never got to see the band during this phase and was devistated to realise that after 'Love Beach' they had called it a day. Still, I always held out the hope that they would return - after all, something so special and exciting could not simply die could it?

And so into the 1980's and the brilliant news that Greg had released a solo album with a first rate band behind him. By now I was working in the I.T. industry in Birmingham in the UK and was overjoyed to hear that Greg was appearing at the ODEON in October 1981. Sure enough, I was there! The set was absolutely brilliant and I have to say that band produced some superb music which is well documented in the 'Retrospective' album - I have just 'rediscovered' that material and can be seen 'rocking' my way around the M25 every day listening to it. However, back to that concert, the goose bumps really came out on the back of my neck when the band opened with a powerful version of 'Fanfare'! This (almost) made up for missing ELP in the second half of the 1970's and was a strangely emotional experience for me as I'm sure it was for many other people that night.

After seeing Carl with ASIA at Wembley Arena some time later I began to feel that somehow ELP had gone forever until one Saturday in the Mid 1980's when I was Listening to the ALAN FREEMAN SHOW on BBC Radio 1. I was 'half listening' and heard the words 'New Album....Emerson Lake....' and thought that this was it - they were back...well almost..it was of course Emerson Lake & Powell, so not quite what I'd hoped for but nevertheless a fine album. A couple of years later came the 'Three' album with Carl & Keith re-uniting - another good piece.

But finally, after waiting since 1972!!! they were back and on the road in 1991 with their new album - so, feeling rather like a spotty youth and much to the amazement of my new wife (we were married that year) I got hold of tickets for TWO CONSECUTIVE NIGHTS at the Royal Albert Hall in London to see my teenage heroes return... The first night was just brilliant with a short 'Welcome back my friends..' intro from Alan Freeman himself I was in heaven. On the second night I dragged my father down from his home in North Wales to come with me and see the musical magicians whose 'noise' had pissed him off so much back in Belgium in the early 1970's. That night was a real 'father & son' bonding session - sadly my dad died in 1996 but before he did he recalled 'the things we had done together', and remembered that concert - thanks EL&P for that memory!

Finally, in 1997 the 'Tour that missed the UK' came to Europe and so I packed my bags and hopped over to Amsterdam to see the guys perform at the small PARADISO venue - great fun which I wrote to the ELP Digest about afterwards.

Today I'm the UK Sales Director for a Major Software Firm and feel that ELP have been with me all the way.

Guys, I look forward to seeing you perform again and hope that someday I will get to shake hands with you - you have clearly touched my life down the years and I hope that you will continue to 'do your thing' as a group for many years to come.

Best Wishes.

Bryan Roberts (UK)

Jeff G Johnson
jjohn6@gte.net

It was one of the most awesome shows I ever saw and I couldn't believe all of the "stuff" that went on stage back that long ago before computers and modern technology came along to help out.

I remember there was Tarkus (in all of his colorful glory) who came out "shooting" the audience with strobe lights in the gun-turrets of the "tank" and I was absolutely overwhelmed with all of Keith Emerson's keyboards/controls and Carl Palmer's magical percussion set. I was blown away by the show and even at this time can still remember the feeling of being overwhelmed - especially when Tarkus came and blew us away! (Don't feel slighted Greg - your vocals held all of the theatrics together - which is a major accomplishment! I frankly don't know how you do it!)

There were no reserved seats - we had to sit on the floor - but I've never seen anything seem so big in such a small venue.

I've seen ELP one other time - August 18, 1992 at Chastain Ampitheater in Atlanta, GA and all of the old fireworks are still intact. Keep up the good work and perhaps I won't have to wait so long for the next show!!!

Janet M. Myrick
(janet.myrick@ece.gatech.edu)

080551@email.msn.com

I bought tickets for the first "World Series of Rock" at Cleveland Municipal Stadium on Aug.4,1974. ELP was the headline act after a whole day of various artists.

When evening fell, and ELP took the stage, my life was forever changed. Every thought from that time forward seemed to be about ELP. I now play keys in an ELP tribute band called "Trilogy", which plays a wide variety of ELP classics.

I have been to several ELP concerts since 74 and I always come away with a incredible, natural high. Long live ELP!

Mark McCutcheon,
Barberton,Ohio

It was the very first concert I saw. My big brother decided it was time I experience the live sound.

And what an experience. From a very early age, I was always fascinated by the sound of synthesizers. Keith Emerson's sound was unique. To this date, no one's managed to copy it.

It happened a long time ago, but I can still remember the thrill I got when the lights finally came on and Greg's voice blasted the Forum. Palmer's drumming... The highligt of the evening for me: Pirates. Pure perfection.

My only regret is not having seen them the previous time they were in Montreal with the symphonic orchestra, a treat my brother was able to taste.

C'est la belle vie,

Catherine (ceecee@generation.net)

Anyway I also really liked your solo album and concert at the St-Denis Theatre in Montreal in 1981--the last time I saw you was in Ottawa in 1993 it was also an excellent show, please come back in Québec soon-thanks!

Etienne@sprint.ca

Anyway, daughter #2 came along and is now about 1 year old. The other day I was playing "Trilogy" while she was in the room. I looked over and she was holding onto the coffee table moving her hips in all directions keeping time the music. She loved it! When the music ended she started crying.

This is a true story. We have found one of the youngest ELP fans around.

Thanks,

Kris.

Once the show began, Carl acknowledged our presence quickly , it was like we had actually met, just when I thought it could never get any better than this, I was proven wrong. After the first encore, Carl came over and shook my hand, which he did again, after the second encore, only this time he handed me a pair of drumsticks, a fantasy brought to life! These drumsticks are now my prized possessions , and are now shown in a beautiful display.

Carl Palmer is not only the Worlds Greatest Drummer. He is also a very gracious man.

Sincerely,

Mark Passarelli ELP73LIVE@AOL

My first ELP show was February 9, 1978 at the Nassau Coliseum, NY. I cut out of school and biked five miles ( in the snow) to the local tickettron to pick up my tickets. When my mom got home and found out I had cut school to get concert tickets, she told me I was not going. I had been grounded for a month. Well, luckily my mom never stayed mad very long. I played low for a couple of days and all was forgotten.

We had bought four tickets: two for me and my girlfriend, one for my best friend and one for either a date for him or a lift for us. My girlfriend cousin was to drive us. On the day of the show it snowed quite a bit. We were informed that we would have to dig our rides car out from the snow. Hey, no problem. we would do anything to see an ELP show. It had been snowed in at a parking lot out in the Hamptons. When we arrived there, we saw a huge parking lot with this red Camaro in the middle of it, surrounded by a football field of eigth inches of snow. The prospects for seeing this ill fated date had pretty much run out.

We did make it, though. I don't remember how we bribed my friend's father into lending us the family car. The show was well worth it, especially looking at how long it was until I was able to see ELP again, March 14, 1993 at the Warfield in SF Seeing the band in an intimate setting like this theater was a real treat. It inspired me to purchase the recordings on CD. But I'm not buying the remasters. I've already bought each album three times, once on 8 track, once on vinyl and then on CD.

I love the comment in the BBC release of the recording being a blueprint for the show, a promise to pay, like a check. I've always enjoyed the music, fun and antics of ELP and look forward to seeing the 1998 tour.

Sincerely,

Ken Marino.
San Francisco, CA

Visalia! Yes, Visalia, CA, a small agricultural community near Fresno, CA. Why ELP picked it for one of their concerts, I will never know.

I'm a military pilot (Reserves) that commutes from Oakdale, CA (near Stockton, CA) to El Toro, CA (near Orange County, CA) every month to fly. On one of my trips through the Central Valley, B100 radio (Fresno) was advertising ELP live at the Visalia Concert Center. I could not believe my ears.

I grew up in the Bay Area (San Jose, Santa Clara), and went to UC Berkeley. My sister was a DJ for KOME in the mid to late 70's, and she got me interested in ELP in 1972. I finally saw them at the Oakland Coliseum for the "Works" tour in '78. Journey opened for them. I was sooooo far back in the nose bleed section on the left side with my 3 buddies. We couldn't hardly see the band. I remember seeing a Don Kerschner's (spelling?) Rock Concert that featured ELP in one segment in 1974 or 75, and there were these 3 dudes in the audience with blue football jerseys with "Emerson" "Lake" and "Palmer" stenciled on the back of their jerseys. I thought that was cool because the camera kept showing them from the back. So, my buddies and I did the same thing (white jerseys for us) at the '78 show. (Don't know if anyone ever took our picture though!).

Anyway, I got tickets pretty late for the Visalia show for my old friend (one who went with me in '78), my 14 year-old son, and I. The drive to Visalia from Oakdale is about 2 hours. The show started at 7:00 PM, so we left home at 4:30 PM (kind-of late, but it's the best we could do! We thought that we would miss the start of the show). When we got to the Visalia Concert Center, we found free parking in the Center lot across the street, found a space next to the drive way, walked across the street, and were sitting in our seats in 3 minutes from turning off the car.

Have you ever been to a show where everything is PERFECT? I never had until this day. The inside of the Center had about 1,000 seats, max! The tickets that I bought put us in the 5th row, looking straight at Carl Palmer. He was about 20' from us. I play the drums, as does my son, so this was a pure treat! During the show, we were able to move to the second row, facing Greg Lake, and then later were able to go right up to the stage, 5' from Palmer's set. Incredible!! We could actually see the sweat beads form on his arms as he played. No cameras allowed - too bad!!

I know I'm rambling, but as a 39 year-old ELP fan, and devoted listener for 25 years, this concert was like a surreal dream - a perfect experience with perfect music. My son has come away from it with a "new" appreciation for Dad's music!

The bottom line is that ELP is playing smaller venues now that they are touring again, and it makes the experience much, much better than it was in the 70's (feels more personal).

P.S. Hey Carl, if you ever read the email, you sounded great during this show, as always! The best drummer to hit the skins! My son, who was starring at you for an hour from about 5 feet , was amazed at your flawless footwork when you peeled off your shirt, but never missed a beat on the bass drums! He is now practicing with ever more effort, and will study your style for years to come. Thanks for all of the great moments over the past 25 years. (I even listened to your music right before the start of my swimming race in Berlin for the '78 World Games! It helped me get focused and kick ass! I wasted your country-mate Duncan Goodhew! Would have beat him in the '80 Olympics... if we didn't boycott....but I digress!)

See Ya!! Keep the tours coming!!

Jeff Freeman
echodrvr@pacbell.net

I could tell you tons of stories about those shows, including all the mud at the August Jam in Charlotte and having to fly to the show in helicopters, making one of the guys a little nervous, if he remembers it. Boards had to be laid in order to get the trucks backed in, and the Allman Brothers got top billing to Greg's dismay. Keith hurt his hand during the show.

At the show in Knoxville, TN, Ernst made me go sit in the audience and I couldn't understand why. Later he told me that two detectives sent by my parents were at the stage door.

I was at the sound check in Jersey City when the tornado hit and all the equipment went flying. I spent the afternoon consoling Keith. As Mary Ann Burns will attest to...she has a really good picture of me and Keith. Thats actually the first time I met Mary Ann and she and I stuck together through the next few shows, and even to the JFK Hilton, where Carl lent us his room and a bottle of Cognac.

The outdoor show at Soldier's field was incredible. I actually have a few good pictures from this show. The entire backstage setup was almost as large as the front seating area.

I was there when the orchestra got the news that they were cut, only to return for the MSG and Olympic Stadium, Montreal shows. I went out for Chinese food with a few of the violinists, they weren't very happy. It was Chinese food in Des Moines, I wasn't very happy either.

We spent a week in Fort Wayne, Ind. while ELP rehearsed sans orchestra. I don't believe I ever saw them work so hard.

I wanted to see ELP when they were though New York in August/Sept. 1997, but I was in Australia and New Zealand at the time. I evidently haven't kept up much with the music industry the last few years and usually depend on friends to let me know what ELP are doing.

Sorry about the rambling on..It's the beginning of 1998 and I was just looking back on it all. It hardly seems like it's been over 20 years ago and to think, I haven't changed at all...well a few pounds here and there maybe. So tell Greg that I actually still miss him every once in awhile when I let myself think back and he may just see one of these days.

Thanks,

Linda Heath