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1970 | 1971 | 1972-73 | 1974-75 | 1977-78 | 1992-2010
1970FORMATION
Emerson, Lake and Palmer were an English progressive rock supergroup formed in London in 1970. consisted of Keith Emerson, Greg Lake and Carl Palmer.
29 August 1970PERFORM AT ISLE OF WIGHT FESTIVAL
The band came to prominence following their performance at the Isle of Wight Festival in August 1970. In their first year, the group signed with E.G. Records (who distributed the band’s records through Island Records in the United Kingdom, and Atlantic Records in North America),
1970EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER – THE DEBUT ALBUM
In the months surrounding their debut gigs, the band recorded their first album, Emerson Lake & Palmer, at Advision Studios. Lake took on the role of producer, which he had also done in King Crimson, with Eddy Offord as their engineer.
1971TARKUS RELEASED
During a break in their first tour in January 1971, Emerson, Lake & Palmer returned to Advision Studios with Eddy Offord to record their second album, Tarkus. The album was a commercial success, reaching No. 1 in the UK and No. 9 in the US.
1971PICTURES AT AN EXHIBITION
Recorded live at Newcastle City Hall on 26 March 1971, this rock adaptation of “Pictures at an Exhibition”, the piano suite by Modest Mussorgsky, debuted at number 3 on the UK Albums Chart and number 10 on the US Billboard 200. A perfect example of the classically inspired sound the band would come to be known for.
1972GRAMMY NOMINATION
ELP receive a GRAMMY nomination for Best New Artist at the 14th Annual GRAMMY Awards.
1972TRILOGY
The band’s third studio album was again recorded at Advision Studios with Eddy Offord and released on 23 of June 1972. The album art was designed by Storm Thorgerson and Aubrey Powell of Hipgnosis. Reaching No. 2 on the UK Albums Chart and No. 5 on the US Billboard 200, the album’s single “From The Beginning” became the band's highest charting US single.
1973MANTICORE RECORDS
ELP form their own record label, Manticore Records. In addition to ELP, the label released singles and albums from a diverse range of artists including Little Richard, Banco, Pete Sinfield, John Greaves, Premiata Forneria Marconi, and others.
1974BRAIN SALAD SURGERY
Deeply expanding on the sound they honed in over their first few records, Brain Salad Surgery includes the nearly 30-minute long composition “Karn Evil 9” and its signature “Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends” opening line. The album also features the debut of the Moog Apollo, the first of its kind polyphonic synthesizer. The artwork and now standard ELP logo were designed by H.R. Geiger.
1974CALIFORNIA JAM
The band plays to a crowd of 250,000 people (a then-record for the most paid attendance at such an event), co-headlining the California Jam festival with Deep Purple. The band’s 2 ½ hour closing set was filmed and broadcast by ABC.
1974WELCOME BACK MY FRIENDS TO THE SHOW THAT NEVER ENDS – LADIES AND GENTLEMEN
Recorded during their famed 1973-1974 tour, this triple LP live album was recorded at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. It was certified Gold by the RIAA and was their highest charting US album at No. 4 on the Billboard Top 200.
1975“I BELIEVE IN FATHER CHRISTMAS” RELEASED
Greg Lake releases the holiday song, “I Believe In Father Christmas”, which becomes a timeless classic and eventually becomes a certified Gold single.
1977WORKS VOLUME 1
After an extended hiatus, the band regroups to record their sixth album, Works Volume 1. The double album featured a side dedicated for each member to write and arrange their own tracks, while the fourth side featured songs performed collectively. The album went Gold in both the UK and the US. Works Volume 1 features the song "Fanfare for the Common Man", Emerson's adaptation of the 1942 composition by Aaron Copland, which became their highest UK charting single at #2.
1977WORKS VOLUME 2
Unlike the previous volume, Works Volume 2 was a compilation of unreleased material from previous sessions. It also included the full ELP version of Lake’s previous hit, “I Believe In Father Christmas”.
1977WORKS LIVE
The band embarks on a massive 120+ date North American tour, with some dates including a 64-piece orchestra and choir. During this tour, the band plays for 76,000 fans at the Olympic Stadium in Montreal, their highest attended show as a solo act. An abridged version of the performance is later released as Emerson, Lake & Palmer In Concert in 1978.
A song from the performance, a cover of the theme song to Peter Gunn, is nominated for a GRAMMY Award for Best Instrumental Performance, ELP’s third GRAMMY nomination.
1978LOVE BEACH
The band relocates to Nassau, Bahamas to record their seventh studio album, Love Beach, with longtime collaborator Peter Sinfield. Soon after the release of the album, the band decides to take an indefinite hiatus.
1992BLACK MOON
ELP reunites for their first studio album in nearly fourteen years, supporting it with world tour from 1992-1993. Their sold-out shows at London's Royal Albert Hall were broadcast on BBC radio and released as a live album in 1993, entitled Live at the Royal Albert Hall.
1994-1998IN THE HOT SEAT
The band convene in Los Angeles to record their final album, In The Hot Seat, which was released in 1994. ELP continued to tour the world for the next four years, before permanently disbanding in 1998.
2010FINAL SHOW
The three get together for a one-off concert for their 40th anniversary, headlining the High Voltage Festival at London's Victoria Park on 25 July 2010.