Keith Emerson

Musician

Keith Emerson was a groundbreaking keyboardist known for his work with Emerson, Lake & Palmer, blending rock with classical influences.

Born
November 2, 1944
Died
March 10, 2016
Quotes
22
Rank
#1077

About Keith Emerson

Keith Emerson — Life and Legacy

Keith Emerson was a pioneering musician and composer, best known for his role as the keyboardist of the progressive rock band Emerson, Lake & Palmer. His innovative approach to music combined rock with classical elements, creating a unique sound that challenged the norms of the genre. Emerson's philosophy centered around creativity and emotional expression, as seen in his quote, 'Music is the only language that can be understood by all.' This reflects his belief in music's power to convey feelings beyond words, fostering a universal connection among listeners. Emerson's work often explored the tension between technical skill and emotional depth, as illustrated by his assertion that 'the music is not in the notes, but in the silence between.' This perspective reveals his understanding that the spaces in music can evoke profound feelings, making silence as significant as sound. His contributions to the progressive rock movement not only showcased his virtuosity but also redefined how audiences perceive and experience music. Today, Emerson's quotes and ideas continue to resonate, reminding us of the emotional power of music and its ability to transcend barriers. His legacy is a testament to the importance of creativity and the personal nature of artistic expression.

Quote collection

Keith Emerson quotes (page 1 of 2)

22 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.

Keith Emerson Musician
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"If youre a good parent, see the changes that are happening in your kids."

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Keith Emerson Musician
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"Find a good teacher, as I found for my sons. I feel the worst thing you can do is to try and teach your own children yourself, because there is a natural rebellion that occurs."

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Keith Emerson Musician
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"I'm not a rich man, and Greg Lake is certainly not. I don't know how he can survive. I don't know how he can be that suicidal. But having said that, I'd love to be there to help Greg."

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Keith Emerson Musician
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"I was always playing the Hammond Organ back to front even during the days of the Nice, going back to 1968. Really what I was doing there, was choosing notes at random and trying to make some sense of them, improvising back to front."

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Keith Emerson Musician
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"I remember that I used to mix with my friends who had brothers and sisters. I was an only child."

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Keith Emerson Musician
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"You've got to keep things flying."

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Keith Emerson Musician
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"At the Isle of Wight, the sound went out and kind of kept on going. And I wasn't... when I came off stage I was kind of unhappy about how we had played. But now, I listen back to those recordings and it's not bad."

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Keith Emerson Musician
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"I don't regard myself as a great classical or jazz pianist. I like country music, but I'm not a great player. I just like music. Drums 'n' bass is pretty exciting and I'd love to explore it."

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Keith Emerson Musician
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"Next year I'm going to be a guesting soloist with orchestras all over Europe, to start off with."

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Keith Emerson Musician
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"I don't care who I play to, as long as they enjoy listening to what I play."

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Keith Emerson Musician
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"I consider everything I compose a gift."

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Keith Emerson Musician
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"If it wasn't good, I wouldn't be going back out on tour."

Ifs
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Keith Emerson Musician
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"Ive broken my nose, Ive broken ribs. You name it. In fact, we just got back from South America, and I fell over a monitor speaker on the stage and almost ended up in the front row of the audience. I managed to sprain my wrist on that one but luckily nothing was broken."

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Keith Emerson Musician
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"My sons are into German music, but they are into all kinds of music."

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Keith Emerson Musician
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"I'm proud of my kids, they are doing what they want to do."

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