The Nice - America (Live on British TV "How It Is" 1968)

[@kingbee48185]

As a former pianist/keyboard player (now neuropathy and a broken finger and other problems put an end to my playing days), I saw this wild man on tv play this sometime in the 70s. Idolized him ever since, was stunned and very saddened to hear that he ended the way he did. Was lucky enough to see ELP 3 times when they reunited in the early 90s, a dream come true. Greg Lake has left us as well. Thanks guys for the music, such an inspiration. Emerson was the Hendrix, the God of keyboard players and always will be.

[@FR-ty5vn]

His songs said to not fear death and to do it your own way, that he did….

[@steffanhoffmann]

​@@FR-ty5vn However it seems he was addicted to alcohol; so he's seemingly nobody to take advice from.

[@FR-ty5vn]

@@steffanhoffmann he was a genius, a Diamond 💎 in the Rough

[@steffanhoffmann]

@@FR-ty5vn Perhaps, so I'll repeat here that which I've written, a few moments ago; on the main page. Whilst Keith Emerson, was a pioneer amongst keyboard players. To take his life, in the way that he did, shows scant caring, for friends and family members; left behind. Intelligent people (of which; he was one) rarely kill themselves., .

[@FR-ty5vn]

@@steffanhoffmann i think you underestimate the pain and misery some people experience prior to taking their lives - has nothing to do with intelligence - he was a certified genius and no longer able to live up to his fans’ and his own perfectionist expectations - give the guy a break.

[@achtsieben87]

This band set the blueprint for the later progressive rock bands. This is an amazing, classic piece of music. Keith Emerson caught the whole rockstar - protest song - virtuoso keyboard player - modern idiom THING in one crazy interpretation of a popular Bernstein play. It is without doubt one of the most impressive pieces of music I've ever heard.

[@arnaldotabosa1680]

Cool !

[@gutmensch9339]

Das ist ja noch besser als auf meiner LP!!!!

[@willslow7291]

The organ has got to be one of the greatest proper rock instruments ever! not featured enough these days needs more appreciation.

[@rorycunningham8324]

It's not often that an old man will wish he was even older, but I wish I had been older than 10 in 1968.

[@nunuloki]

Another of my rock heroes passes away. Not many left now. Although he didn't really consider himself a rock musician Keith helped create rock history with his skill and showmanship. Thank you Keith.

[@RobBCactive]

Keith wasn't ONLY a Rock musician is probably the most accurate way to put it. I remember that day I heard as I saw a local band that evening.

[@standingwave73]

Seeing Keith so young and fiery makes me want to cry. I consider him and this song the beginning of Prog, a genre which has meant so much to me. The Heroes die and we live on, sustained by their memory. R.I.P.

[@tinaphilipps2287]

Hey! The music is in our souls. Our Heroes are leaving their music deep within our souls; and never to be forgotten, Taking care of my husband, fast deteriorating due to dementia, at the age of 59; I wish I knew how we could hang on to a dream.

[@maddannafizz]

So true what you say about them sustaining us 🙌

[@paulsurbitonryan9632]

Music will set him free… love and prayers and peace ✌️

[@ACooke108]

The first Nice album, “The Thoughts of Emerlist Davjack” (1967) might have been the first truly “Prog” album.

[@Jellybeantiger]

R.I.P.Keith Emerson. Legend of British rock. From an Aussie progger.

[@monkeyrush]

This was the first song I ever heard Emerson play. The new kid in Jr High was from England and we went over to his house to listen to music after school. He puts on The Nice and I was blown away. A fan ever since. Sad, sad news.

[@56melm]

RIP Keith Emerson

[@williamsomerville-g2z]

I remember watching this on TV in the 60's in 68 I was 16 and have always when possible listened to it. In later years I got turned onto ELP a great band.

[@ellenmenge5169]

RIP Keith, your music will continue for ever.

[@edoardogenzoliniauthor7802]

My book "Teenage Wasteland: The Who at Winterland, 1968 and 1976" features never-seen-before photos of The Nice at the Fillmore on February 22, 1968, opening for the Who.

[@linneasaoirse]

Keith forever in my heart

[@1blastman]

Saw the Nice at the Fillmore East - had second row seats one of best concerts I ever saw there, and I saw many.

[@cmtemoacirsilva]

What a incredible musician, enormius talent, imense loss for the music world. Rest in peace Great Emerson !!

[@adbak30]

Keith Emerson, legend. RIP

[@homersimpson8561]

If Keith Emerson was in my home, I'd let him do what he wanted. He is Keith Emerson after all.

[@njneere]

RIP Keith Emerson. This is some of your finest work! You will be missed immensely.

[@MrBooojangles]

I think this version is better then Leonard Bernstein's version. I first heard this on a series on British TV called 'Sounds of the sixties' during the 1990's which was a look back at the best and wierdest songs from the 1960's. Good to see it again.

[@georgeabrams7345]

The days when wierd was good.

[@robinholmescnx]

Because of the Nice and Curved Air I've always loved the Organ and violin. It's led me to many different bands throughout the years. Thank you Keith Emerson, you were the very best.

[@terrylawson176]

RIP Keith. went to see Nice in 1968 great band amazing keyboard player so much talent.

[@maggieatherton7698]

Thank you Keith for the music and the happy memories. Tragic loss.

[@tobymassingale3490]

Keith Emerson is one of the best composer,artists,Innovators,of the progressive classic rock gendra's ever got to witness!

[@ALotOfBottle]

"America is pregnant with promise and anticipation, but is murdered by the hand of the inevitable." So timeless....

[@colintapp4876]

Oh yeah

[@rogerfjohnson2051]

Very strange how things stick in your mind, there was a compilation album called " nice enough to eat" and that very phrase stuck in my head. So I find myself here 55 years later checking out the track to be sure that my mind is not playing tricks 😂😂

[@arthurfears9464]

>>>>Murdered by enemies from with-in!!

[@rogerfjohnson2051]

@@arthurfears9464 It does seem ironic that the words have a resonance in 2021

[@arthurfears9464]

@@rogerfjohnson2051 and 2022 and beyond!

[@williamsomerville-b6r]

Remember seeing this on TV way back when as a spotty faced teenager and just couldn't believe what I was seeing I still class this as one of the pieces of music that sculpted my life. Many thanks to these guys.

[@aadrockt1957]

what an great musician,you are my hero keith for almost 50 years,rip my friend

[@michaeldewar9093]

This a bad year,another of my legends gone. R.I.P Keith.

[@tinaphilipps2287]

Thats for sure. RIP Keith Emerson. What a magically talented man lost to the world!

[@sasori701]

My laptop just exploded and broke to pieces after playing this video. It couldn't handle the epicness.

[@AlexMartelli]

Loving both Dvorak's "Z nového světa" AND Bernstein's and Sondheim's "West Side Story", not to mention Keith Emerson and friends!, I'M BLOWN AWAY by this wonderful piece!

[@MrTransalpin]

The legendary Hammond Spinet Tone wheel organ with vacuum tube penthodes and Leslie tone cabinet, amazing !

[@nigelvoak9071]

He died alone and lonely. How sad. Rest in peace, now, you genius

[@gutmensch9339]

Genies sind oft einsam! Jeder einzelne Ton ist, als ob ich ihn selbst spielen würde, mit Anschlag und Rhythmus.

[@geraldmarkowitz]

Way beyond its time. Keith Emerson used the same keyboard he is using until these days. A completely crazy genius !!!

[@linomarongiu53]

conobbi The Nice in una trasmissione radiofonica (per voi giovani) presentava Carlo Massarini & C. fu il mio primo gruppo che mi portò alla musica rock, iniziai ad acquistare tutti gli Lp dei Nice e poi a seguire.....1968 che tempi fantastici.

[@philjamieson5572]

I was lucky enough to see The Nice live in Watford in 2003. They were excellent - Emerson even had his old (ELP) Moog synthesizer up on stage.

[@andythomas706]

I remember watching this when it was first broadcast. With so little rock music on TV back then, these things seemed like treats. I also remember watching open mouthed at Hendrix's UK TV debut on Ready Steady Go just before Xmas '66. And The Rolling Stones '66 New Year RSG Special when they played stuff from Aftermath...Live!. Cream on Twice A Fortnight doing We're Going Wrong. All Rare 'treats' indeed back then!

[@wesbroome2411]

best piano stage moves in the history of stage moves.

[@geoffwright2845]

A local pub next to the office I'd started work in, had this as a single on their jukebox...well remember playing it early Saturday afternoons when we all went for a beer after the office shut...(during 1975..) When still at school, got the 'Five Bridges Suite' recorded onto a blank tape.....seem to remember that album was a live recording from Newcastle City Hall sometime in '68..........Brilliant stuff..!!

[@arnaldotabosa1680]

ALWAYS FANTASTIC !!! 2022 - Rio de Janeiro - Brazil

[@fabrikk60]

Well, it's like this: the song (full name America - 2nd Amendment) was intended as a "protest instrumental" against the shootings of Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy. The band would sometimes burn a US flag onstage during the song - bringing trouble on themselves too. The sentence "America is pregnant with promise and anticipation, but is murdered by the hand of the inevitable" was spoken by a black American child on the original record, but by its writer Lee Jackson here. See, it all fits.

[@tonyfrancesco3701]

I saw Nice do this at the Boston tea party 1968,still blown away to this day!

[@johnosborne2989]

I remember the first time i heard this, I'm 68 and love ELP.❤❤❤

[@Nuron666]

This timeless musical masterpiece has meaning even at this present time in Europe. If were to replace 'AMERICA' with 'EUROPE or even UNITED KINGDOM is pregnant with promise and anticipation, but murdered by the hand of the inevitable' It can make perfect sense.

[@stephenbuffery180]

Had the unreal experience of seeing these boys do this in. 69. 70 at the town hall in birmingham when i was 14. 15 with a girl called debbie haynes best musician iv ever seen and iv seen afew since then. Debbie moved to south coast havnt seen her for 40 years if you know her tell her i said 👋 hello

[@donnicoll1570]

I loved making out Lists of my personal Favourite musicians in their area of excellence. Some changed at times depending on my mood. However my Number 1 Keyboard Operator was always Keith Emerson. He never changed from that position. I just cant believe that my hero is gone for ever. Rest in Peace Keith.

[@artysanmobile]

This performance to a pop audience in 1968 was like a landing of aliens. Also, watching this now hints at the major role Carl Palmer had in forming the ELP sound. He was nuanced and heavy all at once, with fascinating melodic cadence. I so miss ELP.

[@faisalmuhammad347]

im cryin' now, RIP Sir Lord 😢😢😢😢😢

[@georgehinton250]

Saw them live Bath Festival 1968 at the Rec Ground. Awesome and so eclectic.

[@djwak59]

I had to fight off a seizure watching this ! Why did all the videographers of the time think everything had to mimic an acid trip ??? All I wanted to see was Keith’s technique. Too bad he’s gone. He was a real inspiration to me back in my high school days. RIP Keith and Greg.

[@sega62s]

God that man could play his heart away, so much feelings and understanding of music concept and harmony, it did not happenened overnight, he must haved trained like a fucking madman, in the end he left us with such a good library of masterpieces, I think he needed a different world, I respect his choice.Thank Sir for leading me into music, its a complex world of harmony, and rythmns, and many more things that makes music such a popular way of expression and one cannot live without it.

[@RossM3838]

+andy T Emerson had serious formal; music training from the time he was a child.

[@malcc2278]

I was 15 when I saw this on television, I thought I was imaging the knives in the keyboard until I found this clip. Sensational then and now. And I still want a MOOG despite advancements in computer generated sound

[@markpetersound]

whoah! Emerson is like a man posessed!! outstanding footage. thanks for posting this gem

[@markahughes3302]

Just watched this on BBC4. Brilliant

[@juanytorres6007]

Rockstar Keith emerson 🤘rocking in paradise keyboard player perfect ❤

[@GigiAO28]

uno dei migliori hammondisti (e non solo) in assoluto!!

[@williamgeorgefraser]

I saw ELP when they released Trilogy. Keith's Modular Moog seemed massive at the time though my memory is probably playing fisherman tricks on me. It was the most exciting gig I ever saw with him throwing his Hammond about the stage. He really is the archetypal showman and despite recent problems with arthritis in his fingers he can still churn out a good tune. Definitely the best keyboard man ever.

[@alfching2499]

Loyola Hall Stamford Hill about 1968 just after Davy O’List left,anyone else there that night ???

[@MrRobangelo]

I saw this the night it was broadcast, about sept. 1968..............

[@ri2k]

Think i was about 6 or 7 when i first saw this (my dad had a tape of this and sounds of the 60's) sad to hear he had passed away. The Jimi Hendrix of the keyboard my dad said.

[@linomarongiu53]

Grandissimi The Nice ho tutta collezione originale in vinile rarissimi!

[@ChangGoldLeaf]

I saw The Nice in the 60s at Mother's in Erdington, Birmingham, UK. Brilliant!

[@EonsReek]

I absolutely love this. It came out when I was still in high school '67/'68, I believe. All the above mentioned players as well. Lets not forget Rod Argent and if you want to see another genius madman on B3, check out the Dutch band Trace. Rick Van der Linden. Especially the album, "Birds". Love them all and they love each other's work as well. Keith told me so!!!!!!!!!! In folk music they call it "poet soup".

[@Jlipnicki]

Yes Argent should not be forgotten, saw them once in a room over a pub , one of the best gigs. ' Hold Yor Head Up 'was something like a rallying cry for the long hairs, of which I was one.

[@daveedgecatts8008]

I lived in Europe when this song was popular in 1968, but many Americans never got to hear it. So, it is a New Theme Song for us 90% of Americans that have been left behind by the rich and powerful that "Steal from The Poor and give to the rich". Ratio: 90% hit up by 9% controlled by 1% of "hedge bets" against USA failing and falling. We lived in the 1960s-1970s era and loved life, music, being with friends and being outside in Mother Nature. Now, "The man in the suit has just bought a new car from the profit he's made on Your Dreams" (Traffic, "Low Spark of High Healed Boys", 1971). We (90%) need to get a better hold of Our Country and Make it Work for Everyone ... not just the few (9%) and privileged (1%) that are bankrupting our Country and Ethos. America United! Here is the Theme Song created out of the horror of loosing John Kennedy, Robert Kennedy and Dr. Martin L. King in such a short time. Europe understood and America United! World War II, Korea, Vietnam ... then Peaceful Times. Now look at US. "Make Love not war". DC

[@mizread]

Brilliant video. I was lucky enough to see them live.

[@michaelpageaction]

Absolutely Amazing.

[@danielomni9084]

Keith Emerson brought me to classik music. He trained my ears to listen to every note. Thank you Keith!

[@ZaphMann]

The greatest ever performance playing keyboards? A real talent. Stunning.

[@puddypuss]

thank's for this. remember when it was first on how it is late july 1968. I d got in from playing golf in the park, and someone delberately phoned up as it started, so I hung up. shame its not the full version

[@kipp0man]

what an awesome piece of archive footage - thanks for posting

[@ekoenriko8009]

Still remember, Our local radio station turns "america" in its opening morning program , back in early 70ies, only now i recognized that its actually plays by keith emmerson

[@stephentyas4698]

the Nice and Arthey Brown sensational live shows of the time.

[@jsilence418]

Yeah Emerson, no one turned the organ cooler than him !! great post!

[@petecsanky]

Performed live at "The Rock Pile" in Toronto in 1968. What a show.....Emerson used Les Bateman's chopped double-stacked leslie cabinets on each side (two asynchronously-rotating horns above the 15" bass driver)with a special 150 Watt amp for each side, and all the instruments were miked through the WIRE custom Altec Lansing PA system. You had to be there... hard to believe that it was 40 years ago!

[@jagtone]

Opens with a quote from the New World Symphony -- nice touch.

[@aveburycommunityshop7644]

Saw them live at Liverpool Phil - Brilliant RIP Keith

[@magiccat4316]

Best song he ever did

[@gutmensch9339]

...in meiner Kindheit und Jugend, auch später habe ich dieses Epos Schweiß gebadet inhaliert.

[@NevDunn]

Soooooo Fckin sad. I saw Keith perform this with The Nice and then followed him through the 1st 3 albums of ELP. A joy to watch and listen to :)

[@zacazonapan]

The best song!!!

[@andythomas706]

They were astounding Live at this point. I had a few great nights watching them tear it up at The Marquee. Once they were supported by Yes making their Marquee debut I think. What a night!

[@mksonic]

I'll never forget the first time I saw these guys perform: I just about shat my uppers. Thanks for posting this wonderful performance! (Although the director for this show should have been hung up by his thumbs.)

[@SupersonicJellyBean]

WOOOOW!!! HE MADE THAT ORGAN CRY FOR SURE!!! REAL NICE LIVE VERSION!!

[@theunknownman2706]

A legend and a pioneer. God rest his soul...

[@davishev]

When I first heard this in the early 70s I was about 11 or 12 years old. I didn't even know who Leonard Bernstein was. Thanks to Keith Emerson I was introduced to a lot of great music.

[@shemanic1]

Brilliant, love my vinyl 45

[@donegan2212]

wow great song I forgot how good this is

[@gutmensch9339]

Das hat einen Ehrenplatz auf meinem imaginären Hausaltar. Bin BJ 49.

[@klausrain111]

Back then, I was aware of the Nice, and heard a few of their songs. In those days, you'd visit some friends, somebody'd put a record on the turntable, then we'd have a smoke. 20-25 minutes later and it's time to turn the record over. A lot of my friends liked the Nice, but sadly I didn't really get into their sound. I know, who cares? But now, 50+ (?) years later, I can hear what I missed over the years.

[@peterboczan2116]

This is like being on the best acid trip ever!

[@georgeabrams7345]

Tarsus was the go to stoner song amongst my peers.

[@SuperNevile]

Saw "The Nice" at the Royal Festival Hall in the early 70's. Impressed not only with Keith's organ playing,(rightwayupandupsidedown) but with the use of daggers, matches and lighter fluid.

[@puddypuss]

I remember this on tv july 1968 Id got in from playing golf over the park and someone who knew how into it I was phoned up as it was starting as a boys . I hung up quickly.

[@headboy]

This is where it all started for me.

[@Emerson278]

That was just "Emerson being Emerson" ! RIP Maestro !

[@Gonzo196969]

I first heard the Nice on John Peel's Top Gear - RIP Keith

[@dallasnash7692]

+Paul Elliott Me too, I suspect. His late night show was not to be missed

[@MallardTDrake]

Little did that poor little Hammond organ realize that Keith would still be abusing it 30 years later. What a trooper!

[@meroydow]

excellent 🙃

[@IanMorris-qn7fm]

I know some have complained about the camera work on this clip, but to me its brilliant. It just adds to the craziness of the whole performance, especially of course Emerson's incredible organ skills, and his theatrics with the knives. I love the electric organ.

[@pca321]

I recently bought the biography pictures of an exhibitionist, and it´s nice reading the book where keith explains the throwing of the daggers, and it´s nice seeing it on this video from the late sixties long live Keith Noel Emerson.

[@Psychedelicxylophone]

A whirlwind organ of madness is that of keith emerson🥰 This music helps me breath!❤‍🔥

[@RockHistoryTube]

GREAT PERFORMANCE!!!

[@Justin_Kipper]

Cool to see the video. Too bad so many TV video editors back then were on acid and it's a chore for us to watch now.

[@repevicent]

El teclista más grande del siglo maravilloso inigualable amado maestro Keith Emerson

[@user-yu1yz6qk1g]

This is John Tuffin's all-time favourite version of this song from his all-time favourite musical-comedy