Greg Lake remembers the first time that Keith Emerson used the moog

From Songs Of A Lifetime/2012
The following is the first version ever recorded of Lucky Man. It was found by Steven Wilson during the remix of the first ELP album. Originally Carl Palmer played drums on this track, but Wilson removed them so as to have only the guitar and vocals made by Lake
• ELP -- Lucky Man (Fi...

[@JT-ee1ii]

I could listen to Greg Lake sing or talk endlessly. What an amazing man.

[@terrinew9474]

Right, such a great story teller, singer, human.

[@barneymiller6204]

That synth part he is talking about is my favorite and sold me on ELP.

[@claudio130]

Greg Lake, one of the greatest voices of all time!

[@NelsonMontana1234]

Greg Lake -- humble, genuine, affable, talented, classy.

[@steffanhoffmann]

Great story Mister Lucky Man. RIP mate! 🙏 and thanks 👍 🇬🇧

[@TheChef470]

God I miss those guys........Greg's voice was magical.

[@Freq412]

Greg took his time telling that story and I enjoyed every minute of it, never looking at the footnotes to see what he was talking about until the end. And to think that Greg made up Lucky Man when he was 12 years old. Just amazing. I'd say more about Greg but this video is about Keith. I can imagine Keith just listening to the tracks and throwing down a little something. And then he said "I was only playing around, I could do a much better one". Well folks, that is what any old musical genius would say. That one-off Moog solo is what separates him from almost everybody else on the entire planet. Keith is my keyboard hero of all time, I just love that guy.

[@chrislongstay]

Ah "Lucky Man", one of my all time favourite songs....brilliant.

[@neiladlington950]

I was kind of shocked when he said, Lucky Man. Now I'm curious about what the source material sounded like.

[@aravrola3601]

neil adlington, Greg did give a hint in the beginning of the interview, with that one string guitar...

[@ricothewestie6963]

Ohhhh... What a fantastic storyteller he was. I could sit and listen to him for hours. A pure class gentleman and incredible musician....

[@rhmayer1]

Another really great storyteller (and incredible keyboard player that deserves to be right up there with Keith and Rick as one of the early rock-fusion innovators): Brian Auger. Check out his KZbin interview where he talks about Jimi Hendrix's arrival in London (first gig was in Brian's band.) You'll say the same thing about Brian - that you could sit and listen to him for hours.

[@samcrawford5665]

I see what you did there

[@marcburbank396]

I miss the days of ELP,Yes,and Tull....it was a great time.

[@gregthornton4209]

agree: I first heard Tull in 1970, and they have been my favorite band ever since (yes, I'm old...)

[@thewordlove4316]

Greg Thornton: '69 with 'living in the past' for me! but the aggregate didn't appeal to me - only three years ago did Tull become more palatable! just relating my Tull experience!

[@KenNickels]

I saw ELP in '71 with Yes as starting band. They had equipment problems and so didn't get on stage until 1 a.m. But in those days we entertained ourselves with herbs and everyone shared. The concert let out at 4 on a school night.

[@beekay5914]

I saw all three in the 70's. Lucky me. Saw Tull and Yes two times.

[@peteperry5712]

How true! We had the best of the best!

[@stanleykostrzewski7222]

Great story , pleasure to catch him performing in Liverpool several years ago.

[@chazm3]

I honestly believe it’s the greatest synthesizer solo of all time. It has never been surpassed.

[@hubbsllc]

Yes - all of a sudden Moog synthesizers weren't just noisemakers and note how the timbre is *brazenly* synthetic - no thought whatsoever toward imitating any existing instrument. I'm lukewarm on the song but hearing those oscillators growling before the solo really starts always raises the hairs on the back of my neck.

[@jbird4754]

He sounds like a lovely man... ooooh what a lucky man he was. Such a sad loss...

[@Jominycrocket0]

First time I heard Lucky Man my buddy & I was blown away.😂

[@315Bodhi17]

Greg Lake has fascinating stories of his songs and this is one. We are Lucky to have this. Thy Greg for all you songs and music that will entertain so many. Love and r.i.p. maestro

[@jacomans9078]

These three men, opened up for me a genre of music that I came to love, they are missed.

[@glynisjones8128]

Thankful for KZbin that we can listen to this......Legend.

[@charlesgross8769]

Kieth, Greg and Carl what an incredible group ...they changed the way I enjoyed music ....Thank you gentlemen !! You are missed !

[@StewartNicolasBILLYCONNOLLY]

Greg's early death is sad, however, what would have been Really sad is if I had lived in an era when Greg wasn't on this planet. I saw ELP seven times during their height and I have never found a more pure voice, not Pop or Rock or even loud, Greg was a singer and a musician. I hope he realises that he made the world a better place while he was here. Thank you, Greg.

[@SilviaAldovini]

Thanks for your comment, Mr. Nicol

[@ameh.1998]

beautiful words. His voice is a magical gift along with his musical talent. I agree with you to be thankful to be alive during his time here. His voice has ALWAYS done something physically to me. Never could explain it. Like entire body goosebumps.. and it happens with just ONE note. Still, You Turn Me On ...when he sings the word ON.... OMG. it's weird. I hope you know what I'm talking about.

[@costanza7757]

He still makes the world a better place. Everytime I listen to ELP music and hear his voice, I feel enlightened, refreshed and full of life, and nothing can do me no harm. I think he is one of the greatest singers of all times. A real pure angel.

[@DavidLazarus]

Ame H. - Beautiful words indeed. Greg had such a regal voice. I truly miss him.

[@jaggass]

Its a huge kick in the balls when you 2 band members in one year. Only Carl Palmer is left now.

[@shawnnorton2674]

Excellent story, 40 years later I finally get the back story.

[@Kapir00to]

His voice was so relaxing to hear... Just like a angel, the same as his singing voice...

[@pilsnrimgaard2507]

This story runs chills up my backside. When you really think about it, this was the birth of progressive rock and roll. That moment in time when a truly talented artist meet's for the first time an instrument that has never been used before, that will literally change the face of music forever....Man!

[@HeartWorX.Creations]

Pils Nrimgaard :: I got the chills TOO hearing this story!!

[@marcrogers1051]

I love ELP, but in my opinion, "In The Court Of The Crimson King" is the birth of prog.

[@drtimoshea4087]

not really forever -- for awhile maybe --- all over now --- too advanced for today's autotuners

[@johnbidding9340]

Glad to be alive to hear this music,this change my life as a musician and and that thing called a Moog!

[@SteveBrant55]

Absolutely wonderful telling of the story by Greg Lake! Best I've ever heard! Thank you very much!

[@SilviaAldovini]

+Steven Brant The Album "Songs of a Lifetime", recorded live, contains amazing stories along with wonderful Greg Lake's performances. Thanks for your comment :)

[@SteveBrant55]

Silvia Aldovini Thanks for pointing me to that album. It's one I hadn't bought yet... but will now! :)

[@MarkGoldfain]

Thanks for posting this. What a great story about a collaboration that changed music. Greg somehow managed to remain modest, as this down-to-earth retelling shows. I'm so thankful for what Emerson, Lake, and Palmer gave to us.

[@Bosstubeman]

One of the first songs I ever learned to play on guitar. Sung it to my girlfriend at the time and 31 years later, she still remembers that serenade. I exposed her to great musicians and bands like ELP. She tried to get me into disco but...........never happened!!! I am a Lucky man......

[@marcosreal11]

Watch some Nile Rogers videos (master guitarist). You might start to enjoy disco.

[@VEGANSAM]

What a perfectly told story... Like a beautiful poem. It brought tears to my eyes...

[@cestrian5294]

Epic group of top musicians.

[@claudio130]

GL and KE, you are so painfully missed in this nowadays crazy world!

[@oatnoid]

Those guys were brilliant. Miss 'em so much.

[@theartist124]

I was hearing the song in my head, having realized which one he was talking about, great story, really miss ELP! I remember the first time I heard it and I thought, wow that is really different, and I still feel the same way about it today as back then, true original work of art.

[@THE-HammerMan]

"Nah...you record it on your own and I'll go down to the pub...". Priceless memories! RIP, you guys.

[@davidmiles6558]

RIP Greg Lake. Legend.

[@mrdfac]

Greg's autobiography is a very good read. Recommended.

[@lindafoley7293]

I must read it

[@hammer-r]

I agree 100%. Good easy and interesting read. Miss him even more.

[@tabithaedie]

Thanks...I just heard an interview of him talking about it ..I may just get it.

[@ovidiulupu8484]

A great musician,his Voice with crimson and elp -a legend!

[@BurtonBoyz715]

I love Greg's "Lucky Man" ... All by happenstance.... How UNBELIEVABLY....LUCKY...🎵

[@spartacusz1193]

And Epitaph

[@willer3399]

Fortune favors the prepared.

[@BurtonBoyz715]

@@willer3399 I bet I listened to it off the album... with a ... Garard Turntable... 50 times in high school... for our band. Pre computers.. Pre cell phones...pre pagers... Pre cable....on and on. I wore the damn thing out. Open reel...recorded. My buds and I. Even Greg is bitching.... about the lack of tracks available.... everyone was chasing the same DRAGONS.... totally frustrating tech. Now you you can HAVE Abbey Road in your bedroom... for a couple of thousand. If people only knew how SWEET THEY HAVE IT now. The good thing then was because of the lack of everything... it forced you to concentrate... and forced creativity.... in every way. That's the point of GREG'S story I believe. Those were the days. Its always the little things... the simple things... and luck. You have to be... "A LUCKY MAN". Hah!

[@willer3399]

@@BurtonBoyz715 - I agree. I was referring to their talent and creativity. You have Emerson just experimenting with a brand new technology, and they come out with a hit single on their debut album. It was skill and luck!

[@peggyl2849]

I remember hearing Lucky Man for the first time - even before the higher-pitched melodic synthesizer bits, there was a background "growl". I listened and said "what IS that?" To my delight, I found out soon enough.

[@krisscanlon4051]

Stunning and in awe...wow...one take on a new synth...ELP

[@andrestamayo6509]

Ya know, what is being kind of overlooked, is the fact that Greg, was also their producer. He wrote it(at 12 years old) played 3 instruments on it and sang. Greg is sooo overlooked as a musical genius.

[@brianbassett4379]

No kid... he's not, you're just young. I've been living with ELP as a band and as individual artists since 1971. None of them are or ever were "overlooked". You stay safe, and go outside and play.

[@deanevangelista6359]

Yup! He also lent his voice to King Crimson prior to helping create ELP.

[@justapedn1]

Saw ELP in Indians Stadium, Cleveland in 1975. Brain Salad Surgery tour. James Gang (after Joe Walsh) and AWB opened. Buddy of mine and I drove down from Detroit, spent the night before the concert in the car. What a party! Flying piano. Exploding speakers. Fantastic music. Great time.

[@JeffersonMartinSynfluent]

That solo on the walkout of _Lucky Man_ ended up being the benchmark for every synthesizer that came afterward. We just never gave that band the credit is deserved for its influence and contribution to music.

[@jbognap]

I love it when the synth makes its first appearance on those low rumbly notes.

[@voraciousreader3341]

YOU may not have giving them credit, *@Jefferson Martin,* but plenty of other people-influential music people-continue to give ELP a whole lot of credit to this day. I swear, people seem to think that if a band or a singer or an actor or whatever aren’t in the news several times a year, they somehow aren’t getting “credit” for their accomplishments, and it’s just silly. ELP is getting credit, right here! The men who walked on the friggin MOON don’t get enough credit (read, “attention”) either, and what they did is monumentally the greater achievement, in comparison to the reputation of a rock band!

[@hadleymanmusic]

Where I grew up they ran that song in the ground and still do

[@claudio130]

No sir, for sure many of us were...

[@davegibbs6423]

That is the synthesizer solo.

[@FSM46AND2]

Not surprising that his speaking voice is as wonderful as his singing voice.

[@caroljordan6130]

YES ,He sounds WONDERFUL in this interview !!! 💜👍🎼

[@Crezelltree4261]

He truly does.I met him in person after an ELP show in my hometown of Fresno Ca.He was quite a gentleman.Cool,easygoing & not egotistical at all.Great man.

[@krollpeter]

i wish he would not have smoked

[@lespauldisciple3349]

I finally got to see ELP in 1986 but by then it was Emerson, Lake & Powell'. 4th row on the floor and right in front of Keith. It was freaking INCREDIBLE. (I'd seen Carl with Asia in 1982 so I can truthfully say I've seen Emerson, Lake & Palmer.) I'll never forget the day we lost Keith in March of 2016. My house in Covington, LA had 8" of water in it after a massive flood that day - my house was 30" off the ground - the highest water in that area since the Great Mississippi River Flood of 1927. Later that year Greg joined Keith and Cozy in Valhalla. Sh!t... I have a Greg Lake live CD from King Biscuit... Gary Moore on guitar. It's the most incredible version of 'Fanfare For The Common Man' I've ever heard. RIP Greg, Keith and Cozy.

[@jmorra]

awesome..and sad, as there are no musicians left, it seems, like these guys.

[@dixgun]

Great story and great telling of it.

[@vanhouten64]

Lake has always seemed to me like one of the more highly intelligent people in the rock music pantheon

[@mrdfac]

He and Bruford. Did they ever play together?

[@Crezelltree4261]

mrdfac:No they didn't unfortunately.Bill Buford joined King Crimson after Greg left.They would have been great together but at least we had ELP.

[@NuntiusLegis]

The most intelligent guy in rock probably is Ian Anderson; Tull and ELP toured together in the 90s, and later Lake joined Anderson for Christmas concerts in churches.

[@vanhouten64]

@@NuntiusLegis And let's not forget Brian May of Queen, who is an astrophysicist

[@atruemusicgodnamedphilip5026]

Perhaps in my lifetime, Mr. Emerson and Mr. Lake will get their due as gifted musicians. I envy the children of wonders. I would loved being serenaded by Mr. Lake and have the good fortune of witnessing the magic fingers of Mr. Emerson playing the classics. I was drawn to their music at the 43 years and never looked back. The song "Welcome back my friends .... " still resonates in my virginal teenage years. Ah wonderful times. 😉

[@FusionHowie]

That was a fantastic explanation of my all time favorite song/musician. Thank you for posting this awesome story. Peace from Detroit MI.

[@raymondbludoomanscibran5334]

Greg was a big influence in helping me develop my musicianship early on & was also a big part of the soundtrack of my life. Sadly missed & remembered fondly! Always!

[@michaellalli7693]

Greg Lake was an extraordinary musician, composer and gentlemen. I have to read his book now.

[@SilviaAldovini]

I read it. Interesting and enjoyable

[@SilviaAldovini]

I couldn't imagine, when I uploaded this tribute video, it would have become a tribute for both artists in such a short time. So sad :(

[@punypoppy9147]

You know what. I remember when i heard Keith was dead, i couldn't believe it and googled the news the instant i came home and was heart broken. This in a sense, is irony because only from your comment i knew Greg had died. I had busy month doing concerts all over and just got back home yesterday. Cut up from media and stuff the news hadn't hit me... and no popular media in my country gave a shit about Keith nor Greg anyway... Can't believe they're both gone now... They'll live on forever through their music.

[@SilviaAldovini]

Puny Poppy Thanks for your comment. I wonder..which country?

[@punypoppy9147]

Silvia Aldovini Finland. Small country. :)

[@SilviaAldovini]

Puny Poppy Metal country :)

[@punypoppy9147]

Silvia Aldovini Yeah true that. I don't work anymore in that genre but used to! :)

[@adralicus]

I was in this guitar shop in Kew, Surrey, England in the 90s. I regularly went there because I knew everyone who worked there. There was this guy putting a guitar on a stand and I noticed the body had the artwork of the first King Crimson album on it. I said to the guy that's a nice guitar and I looked at him again and realised it was Greg Lake. He was selling it. I left him to get on with what he was doing although I wish I'd said a few more words.

[@johnhardesty3167]

I used to get lost in ELP's music for hours, my great escape, they sent me all over the world of musical euphoria! RIP Emerson!

[@HeartWorX.Creations]

John Hardesty:: I’ve been on a Greg Lake/ELP kick for goin on my 3rd week now. i was exposed to their music in ‘70 @ then tender age of 9...used to listen w/headphones on many a wknd nite alone, this personal “revival” of sorts that i’m experiencing is actually helping me w/a creative block, i can see me in my studio painting some of my own “masterpieces” while listening to them-YEAH!!!!! So grateful for it ALL!!! ~RIP Emerson & Lake...💚👍🙏🌞

[@scifiwriter98]

I used to listen to Greg on the first King Crimson LP with headphones when it came out. His voice just blew me away. The perfect singer for that album. As majestic as the instrumentation was he kept right up to the same heights, if not higher.

[@diliupg]

What a beautiful presentation. Thank You! may you be blessed.

[@rhrh2025]

That's an amazing story from an amazing musician! I was listening to ELP before it was cool!

[@Deebz270]

Ah... Greg Lake - the royal blue velvet voice of prog rock. And so sadly missed.

[@shimwooley]

Greg was the cleanest singer in Rock ! What a voice !

[@fw1421]

I was lucky to have seen ELP in their first 3 tours in the US. I loved them and had all their first albums. I was stunned when Keith passed and then not that further down the road we lost Greg. Two of the saddest days of my life.

[@marthaworc7873]

It is a beautiful song. I am not surprised it became a hit! It turned out to be a keeper!

[@StewartNicolasBILLYCONNOLLY]

So sad, only Carl left.......saw ELP seven or eight times and their musicianship/showmanship was never bettered.

[@jamesedwards2237]

I got to see the Carl Palmer ELP Experience a couple years ago. It was a pretty good show.

[@secondthought2320]

Greg Lake, a true gentleman.

[@chasmenear7130]

THAT my friends is how the show never ends!

[@ZedsDeadOK]

My brother (RIP) had this album back in 1974 so I listened to it, it was okay but when I played the last track (Lucky Man) and then heard the moog at the end my brain was blown away after that I was a fan of those three guy's and went on to buy their other albums, truly talented musicians.

[@annastinehammersdottir1290]

I still love that first album. I saw them twice in concert - they were my teen-aged crush.

[@SIE44TAR]

Thank God they convinced Emerson to keep the track. I still remember hearing it for the first time and thinking what a beautiful instrument that is. "Lucky Man" and Heart's "Magic Man", two great Moog solos.

[@ben-c5t]

What a combination of luck made this masterpiece survive. Great story of a great song.

[@mallorga1965]

Beautiful and funny story, so well told by Greg. That's what happens when you put three musical geniuses (plus an incredible engineer) together in a studio.

[@tomscott4438]

First time I heard ELP was in a friends basement on his dad's stereo played on a reel to reel. I remember audio shops back then used their records to show off the range their gear could handle. The first time I saw them live I could not believe 3 people were making all that music. Each one of them a virtuoso.

[@stevemurrell6167]

Great story! Lucky Man had me mesmerised when it came out. My sister bought the album and her and my brother and I would sit in her room listening with intent just waiting for that Moog to start it's magic. We were in awe!

[@twinoak1706]

What a fantastic story.

[@freedapeeple4049]

So much amazing music came out of the 60s and 70s

[@superorangeish]

What a beautiful moment when a kid gets his first guitar

[@galbaribeirodefaria6104]

It's great! Thanks a lot!! From BRAZIL!!!

[@robertacolarette1594]

I love Lucky Man. I remember exactly where I was when I first heard it. It had just been released but I didn’t know the group. I just knew I was in love.

[@asagraphics247]

I knew he was talking about Lucky Man. I saw them 4 times and it was 30 times to little, I loved ELP!

[@brucewilcox8211]

As is often the case, genus isn't recognized until after an artist has left us. His stage presence was dwarfed by Emerson and Palmer's gear. But in hindsight Greg's contribution to ELP is immeasurable. I was extremely fortunate to have seen them twice. Once at the California Jam, where they played from 10:00 pm to 2:00 am.

[@dornelli1]

keith was a genius that comes along once in a thousand years, a kid that knows no limits and is ever excited about new gadgets, and luckly for him, dr. robert moog was there

[@dh3279]

This is one of the coolest rock n roll stories I’ve ever heard. I was late to the Greg Lake appreciation party, but after hearing ‘In The Court Of The Crimson King’ many years after its release (after loving ‘Lucky Man’), I became somewhat hooked on his talents. And now that I’ve heard a few stories, including this one about the origins of Lucky Man, I soooooooo wish I would have appreciated him sooner. How cool would he have been to just hang out with in your living room for a few hours?!?!

[@g.e.5723]

God Bless Mothers. Of course he got the guitar. She most probably had to scrimp and save pennies and nickles in order to give young Greg his Christmas Wish. R.I.P. Greg Lake.

[@regortex3364]

Lucky Man has been one of my favourite songs since the first time I heard it which was so early in life I can’t remember, probably around 6 years old. By the the time I was 12 I owned Trilogy, Brain Salad Surgery, Tarkus, I even bought Love Beach, that’s how much I loved ELP. Keith Emerson is so unique as a keyboardist, nobody is in his league imo, ok enough gushing, what absolute legends.

[@wandajeffrey]

Greg Lake is a musical genius in anyone's lifetime. My only regret is I only saw him once.

[@charlesnolan7602]

ELP, the endless Enigma, and one HELL of a band!

[@progx8679]

That was a great story !!! : )

[@peteperry5712]

4 chords a Moog and Are you ready Eddie? Magic!

[@kathy2trips]

The first time I heard that song, we were in the car with my mother. When the Moog came on, mother literally drove off the road. She made a quick maneuver back and we drove on but we were all shocked. We'd never heard anything like that Moog!

[@andrefelixstudio2833]

I got to see ELP live in London UK. They kicked ass amazing show and each of them have fantastic talent!

[@ronayotte3571]

I based my bass playing style on Greg Lake's bass playing... put myself though college playing bass in a few rock bands...

[@DukeLaCrosse20]

Gahd I loved these guys sooo much. This story brings a real tear to my eye.

[@damirhlobik6488]

RIP Angel Voice

[@joemachunda]

Gregg was a fantastic voice. Lucky man was the 1st song I heard by elp. I was hooked

[@TheLastOilMan]

lovely guy in a lovely group !

[@garfieldisgod]

Why on earth..........ELP is not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame????? They deserve it more than any band. Please contact them and let them know how important it is to include ELP in the ranks of rock giants and pioneers!!!! Such genius should not go unrecognized!!!.

[@linneasaoirse]

I love them both so much ❤❤❤ No words can express it.

[@cosmicdrifter287]

i miss greg and keith so much.

[@mitchellfelder2420]

Greg was a true genius.

[@TisTheDamnStickSeason]

Miss you both

[@zardoz53]

thanks for posting this. a cool bit of trivia we never knew...

[@chicosaldanha1279]

Para sempre, Greg Lake & Keith Emerson . Lendas !

[@calvinbass1839]

That is a nice story. Thank you for sharing.

[@noddyspuncture]

RIP Greg.... gonna miss you, mate...! :(