Goodbye Greg Lake

[cazclocker]

Forgive me if this has already been asked and answered, but what type of cancer took Greg's life?

 

[Les Ismoor]

Frak me.

Glad I saw them... first time in '77 (Works Vol 1) I was jealous that he was surrounded by a semi-circle of Alembic basses and guitars. Again in '78 or '79, and again between Dream Theater and Deep Purple in the 90s or early 00s.

This was the Brain Salad Surgery tour. We sneaked into Riverfront Coliseum during soundcheck (wasn't too hard to do sometimes), and wandered around for a bit. Sorry for the blur- drugs and low ISO film.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

From Greg Lake's facebook timeline : "Yesterday, December 7th, I lost my best friend to a long and stubborn battle with cancer. Greg Lake will stay in my heart forever, as he has always been. His family would be grateful for privacy during this time of their grief. Many thanks, Stewart Young"

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He had a letter read out on PM, the Radio 4 (UK) current affairs programme this week, discussing "I believe in Father Christmas". I don't recall it mentioning his death, so it might have preceeded it by a few hours

If there was any justice in the world then that song would be Christmas Number 1, as a tribute and for its message. I don't have the power to make that happen, though. I don't even know if it gets reissued each year like I presume a certain Slade record does.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

And of course Keith Emerson

Emerson's death was very shocking

 

[tgriley62]

Not ELP's biggest hit but, always one of my favorite's "The Sheriff"

"He said he'd put a bullet right
Through poor old Josie's chest
But Josie wasn't like the rest
He don't like bullet holes in his vest"

 

[jsbarber]

The first rock concert I saw was ELP, Pictures at an Exhibition tour. Great performance. It was 1971 and was in 7th grade. Rip Keith and Greg.

 

[s_wood]

This was the Brain Salad Surgery tour. We sneaked into Riverfront Coliseum during soundcheck (wasn't too hard to do sometimes), and wandered around for a bit. Sorry for the blur- drugs and low ISO film.

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Great pic... but not the Brain Salad Surgery tour. That was in '74, and Lake played a Ripper on that tour. He says so in the Bass Player interview posted a couple of pages back in this thread. You can also see him pictured with a Ripper on the back cover of Welcome Back My Friends..." which was recorded on that tour, and in all of the other pictures of that tour. Plus, I bought a Ripper in '74 because Lake used one...and then, when he switched to Alembics in '77, I fell in love with those, too. Your pic is from '77. For sure.

 

[bigcatJC]

This is awful. In a cosmic coincidence, I happened to be listening to "I Believe in Father Christmas" when I read the headline this weekend. Choked me up pretty badly.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

I was very sorry to see this. Emerson took his own life earlier this year; apparently he was an alcoholic suffering from depression. He had a nerve condition that was impairing his ability to play.

I saw them live once- in 1974 at "August Jam" (the east coast version of "California Jam") at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. ELP put on a hell of a show.

RIP Greg.

I'd heard as Emerson having diverticulitis and the pain of that and his issues, separately, of not being able to play, being the cause of his depression.

A while ago they did a family tree of prog rock and at this rate in a couple of years it'll be just ian Anderson, Peter Gabriel, fripp and Arthur Brown left. I don't think Brown can be killed with mortal weapons.

 

[coilcbl_RT]

Man...I just read an interview with him in my latest issue of either Bass Player or Guitar Player, but I don't recall reading ANYTHING about the guy having cancer...

Sadly, seems over these couple of years of high-profile talent loss, we largely don't hear of these events until these greats have gone on. Quite a scare a bit ago about John Wetton- ...a reminder to try and appreciate people while they're with us.

 

[MrLenny1]

RIP
I caught them on the Brain Salad Surgery tour.
One of the best shows I have seen.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

Sadly, seems over these couple of years of high-profile talent loss, we largely don't hear of these events until these greats have gone on. Quite a scare a bit ago about John Wetton- ...a reminder to try and appreciate people while they're with us.

I would highly recommend catching one of Palmers previous band mates, the aforementioned Arthur Brown. I saw him a couple of years ago. Great band (all looked well under 40 but Brown had the edge in terms of energy!). He was promoting a very credible new album. Having missed the ELP reunion tour and KC last year I'd better see Brown again. He's not allowed to set himself on fire any longer

 

[Les Ismoor]

Great pic... but not the Brain Salad Surgery tour. That was in '74, and Lake played a Ripper on that tour. He says so in the Bass Player interview posted a couple of pages back in this thread. You can also see him pictured with a Ripper on the back cover of Welcome Back My Friends..." which was recorded on that tour, and in all of the other pictures of that tour. Plus, I bought a Ripper in '74 because Lake used one...and then, when he switched to Alembics in '77, I fell in love with those, too. Your pic is from '77. For sure.

I do believe your are correct, Sir. Like I said: drug blur.

 

[Jeremy Bender]

If I was a bass player, this is the sound that would have lead me to pick one up and play a lifetime...
RIP Greg