The ELP sound is dominated by the Hammond organ and Moog synthesizer of the flamboyant Emerson. The band's compositions are heavily influenced by classical music in addition to jazz and – at least in their early years – hard rock. Many of their pieces are arrangements of, or contain quotations from, classical music, and they can be said to fit into the sub-genre of symphonic rock. However, Lake ensured that their albums contained a regular stream of simple, accessible acoustic ballads, many of which received heavy radio airplay. Lake, besides providing vocals, bass guitar, electric guitar and lyrics, also produced the band's first five albums.
On two occasions in 1969, The Nice (with Keith Emerson on keyboards) and King Crimson (with Greg Lake on vocals and bass) shared the same venue, first on 10th August 1969 at the 9th Jazz and Blues Pop Festival in Plumpton, England, and on 17th October 1969 at Fairfield Hall in Croydon, England. After playing at a few of the same concerts, Emerson and Lake tried working together and found their styles to be not only compatible but complementary. Emerson wanted to make the "best damned three-piece band in the world", and thought the line-up of The Nice (keyboard, bass, drums) was the way to go.
Before settling on drummer Carl Palmer (formerly Atomic Rooster, The Crazy World of Arthur Brown), they approached Mitch Mitchell of the Jimi Hendrix Experience; Mitchell was uninterested but passed the idea to Jimi Hendrix. Hendrix, tired of his band and wanting to try something different, expressed an interest in playing with the group; the British press, after hearing about this, speculated that such a supergroup would have been called "Hendrix, Emerson, Lake & Palmer", or HELP. Due to scheduling conflicts such plans were not immediately realised, but the initial three planned on a jam session with Hendrix after their début at the Isle of Wight Festival, with the possibility of him joining. Hendrix died shortly thereafter, so the three pressed on as Emerson, Lake and Palmer.
Their first four years were a creatively fertile period. Lake produced their first six albums, starting with Emerson, Lake and Palmer (1970), which contained the hit "Lucky Man" featuring Emerson's first experiments with Moog. Tarkus (1971) was their first successful concept album, described as a story about "reverse evolution". The March 1971 live recording (Newcastle, U.K.) of the band's interpretation of Modest Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition was issued as a low-priced record, the success of which contributed to the band's overall popularity. The 1972 album Trilogy contained ELP's best-selling single to date, the understated "From the Beginning".
In late 1973 Brain Salad Surgery, with an eye-catching sleeve designed by H.R. Giger, was released and became the band's best-known studio album. The lyrics were partly written by Peter Sinfield, who was the creator of the King Crimson concept and lyricist for their first four albums. The subsequent world tours were documented with a massive three-LP live recording, "Welcome Back My Friends to the Show That Never Ends".
Their best known early performance had been a relatively modest show at the August 1970 Isle of Wight Festival, one of the last of the great Woodstock-era festivals. At the end of their set, Emerson and Lake lit two cannons either side of the stage. By April 1974, ELP were joint headliners of the California Jam Festival, and completed the concert when co-stars Deep Purple elected to go on stage first. ELP's California Jam performance was broadcast nationwide in the US and is often seen as the summit of the band's career.
After taking a break, the band began working with an orchestra and released Works Volume 1 in 1977 to mixed reviews. The album contained the band's signature tune, "Fanfare for the Common Man", reaching number two in the British charts. However, punk rock had began influencing the music scene, and the progressive rock giants of the time were suffering as a result. Rifts within the band were beginning to show, and the following albums, Works Volume 2 and Love Beach (one released in 1977,the other in 1978) were mainly made to finish their record contract. They released Works Live in 1979 with the orchestra, but touring was overly expensive and so the orchestra were dropped half way through the tour.
The band split in 1979, with each member doing his own thing. Carl Palmer joined Asia and had commercial success. In 1985 Emerson and Lake wanted to reform, but with Palmer in Asia, they tried out other drummers such as Simon Phillips, but settled on Cozy Powell. Emerson, Lake & Powell released one self-titled album in 1986.
Since then the original ELP have reformed in 1991 and released two studio albums: Black Moon (1992) and In the Hot Seat (1994). Neither albums were critically acclaimed, but the band still managed to sell out venues as they toured the world. The band split again in 1998.
On 25 July 2010, ELP reunited for a single show to commemorate their 40th anniversary. But this reunion was only to celebrate their anniversary and after that show they split again in 2010.
Emerson died on 11 March 2016 in Santa Monica, California, of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. His body was found at his Santa Monica home. Following an autopsy, the medical examiner ruled Emerson's death a suicide, and concluded that he had also suffered from heart disease and from depression associated with alcohol. According to Emerson's girlfriend Mari Kawaguchi, Emerson had become "depressed, nervous and anxious" because nerve damage had hampered his playing, and he was worried that he would perform poorly at upcoming concerts and disappoint his fans.
Lake died in London on 7 December 2016, at the age of 69, after suffering from cancer. His manager announced the news on Twitter, describing Lake's battle with the illness as "long and stubborn". Numerous fellow musicians paid tribute, including Rick Wakeman, Steve Hackett, Ringo Starr, John Wetton, and ELP drummer Carl Palmer. With Lake's death and that of Keith Emerson earlier in 2016, Palmer is the last surviving member of the group.
Lucky Man
Emerson Lake & Palmer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And ladies by the score
All dressed in satin
And waiting by the door
Ooh, what a lucky man he was
Ooh, what a lucky man he was
They made up his bed
A gold covered mattress
On which he was laid
Ooh, what a lucky man he was
Ooh, what a lucky man he was
He went to fight wars
For his country and his king
Of his honor and his glory
The people would sing
Ooh, what a lucky man he was
Ooh, what a lucky man he was
A bullet had found him
His blood ran as he cried
No money could save him
So he laid down and he died
Ooh, what a lucky man he was
Ooh, what a lucky man he was
The lyrics of Emerson Lake & Palmer's "Lucky Man" tell a story of a man who seems to have it all. The first stanza paints a picture of his opulence and the attention he receives from women. The repetition of the line "Ooh, what a lucky man he was" emphasizes the luxurious lifestyle he lives.
In the second stanza, the focus shifts to his sleeping arrangements, which are equally lavish. The gold-covered mattress suggests he is wealthy beyond measure. However, the juxtaposition of the first two stanzas with the third stanza shows that his possessions and privileges were in vain. He went to fight wars for his country and was praised for his heroism. However, in the end, his luck ran out, and he died in battle. The line "No money could save him" highlights the futility of wealth when one's life is on the line.
Overall, "Lucky Man" is a poignant reminder that material possessions and money are not enough to bring true fulfillment in life. The focus on external success detracts from the fleeting and unpredictable nature of life, reminding us to value what we have while we have it.
Line by Line Meaning
He had white horses
He owned majestic horses that were a symbol of power and wealth.
And ladies by the score
He had numerous women who were attracted to him because of his financial status and lavish lifestyle.
All dressed in satin
These women wore expensive and luxurious clothing that was a reflection of the man's wealth.
And waiting by the door
These women were always ready and eager to be with him and enjoy his riches.
Ooh, what a lucky man he was
The chorus line repeats to reinforce the image of a fortunate man who had everything he could ever want.
White lace and feathers
The man was surrounded by extravagant and ornate decorations in his bedroom.
They made up his bed
These decorations were used to create a luxurious sleeping environment that was fit for a king.
A gold covered mattress
Even the man's bed was made of expensive and valuable materials that were a sign of his immense wealth.
On which he was laid
This further emphasizes that the man lived a life of comfort and extravagance.
He went to fight wars
Despite his life of luxury, the man was also brave and patriotic and was willing to put himself in harm's way for his country and king.
For his country and his king
The man was not just fighting for himself, but for a greater cause and for his sense of duty and honor.
Of his honor and his glory
The people praised and admired the man for his heroism and bravery in battle.
The people would sing
The public showed their appreciation for the man through music and song, which was a sign of respect and honor in those times.
A bullet had found him
Despite his bravery, the man was not invincible and was eventually injured during his service.
His blood ran as he cried
The man suffered greatly from his injury and was in pain and distress.
No money could save him
Despite his wealth, the man could not buy his way out of his injury or death.
So he laid down and he died
The man eventually succumbed to his injury and died, showing that even the luckiest of men cannot escape the inevitability of death.
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, BMG Rights Management
Written by: Gregory Lake
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
johnny zell
He had white horses
And ladies by the score
All dressed in satin
And waiting by the door
Ooh, what a lucky man he was
White lace and feathers
They made up his bed
A gold covered mattress
On which he was laid
He went to fight wars
For his country and his king
Of his honor and his glory
The people would sing
A bullet had found him
His blood ran as he cried
No money could save him
So he laid down and he died
Songwriters: Gregory Lake
© BMG Rights Management
For non-commercial use only.
johnny zell
He had white horses
And ladies by the score
All dressed in satin
And waiting by the door
Ooh, what a lucky man he was
White lace and feathers
They made up his bed
A gold covered mattress
On which he was laid
He went to fight wars
For his country and his king
Of his honor and his glory
The people would sing
A bullet had found him
His blood ran as he cried
No money could save him
So he laid down and he died
Songwriters: Gregory Lake
© BMG Rights Management
For non-commercial use only.
rene rivera
They belong in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame...Really. There albums were all unique and great to blow your brain apart and bring it back.
Jim Duccilli
It's way past time for ELP to be inducted into the Rock & Roll HOF, along with Jethro Tull and Kansas.
James Brady
Those guys in the rock ‘n’ roll Hall of Fame or absolute positively morons those three Bands you mentioned but I’m 67 now I just give up you can call them and the receptionist she’s a real doll oh that’s the one I spoke to the first time and she was hesitant you know she should just chill or what to say so they gave me an address for a building in Manhattan and I wrote the letter so if you wanna give it a shot you just have to look it up I don’t have it in my files anymore but I’m glad people are out there knowing these idiots and how about Jethro Tull one of the best
Mike Reiss
@Yamaha SR650 There's lots of artists in there that aren't "rock and roll." That excuse doesn't hold up anymore. Rolling Stone magazine has panned most of the major progressive rock bands in the past including ELP but the tides are starting to turn(same thing with R&R HOF).
Mike Reiss
King Crimson also.
Yamaha SR650
@Jim Duccilli Sorry, Jim. ELP is well beyond the Hall of Fame bullshit. They don't, nor ever will qualify as "Rock & Roll". Even Rolling Stone Magazine editors severely panned their work.
Arthur Whittle
I love how with just six tracks this album is as good as any of their albums. Every track on it is good.
Burt472
Beautiful track....RIP Keith & Greg...Thanks
Green Sombrero
how brilliant is the drum track on this song. just to think about that on top of this is remarkable