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Greg Lake, Not Just One Third Of Emerson, Lake & Palmer

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Lucky Man: Greg Lake

For over four decades, Greg Lake has been a popular and innovative musician who has combined sophisticated pop and rock with the influence of Europe's golden age of classical music. He burst on to the international music scene in the late 1960s as bass player, and lead singer of the progressive rock group, King Crimson, then dominated the 1970s wave of progressive rock as one third of Emerson, Lake & Palmer.

Known for writing songs such as "Lucky Man", which he wrote while still in school (included to fill space on ELPs debut album, it became their first hit), and ELPs best selling single "From the Beginning". He is also well know for his solo hit, "I Believe in Father Christmas", co-written with Peter Sinfield, it has been one of the most played radio songs during the holiday season since it's release in 1975 when it reached number two on the UK Singles Chart, despite often being misinterpreted as an anti-religious song.

Greg Lake: Highlights

Greg LakeBefore the historic forming of King Crimson. Greg Lake worked with future Uriah Heep members, Ken Hensley and Lee Kerslake in the British group The Gods. Greg was too talented for the role he was hired for, so he quickly left when his childhood friend, Robert Fripp asked him to join what would later become King Crimson.
While on tour with Crimson, Lake met keyboardist Keith Emerson, who was a member of the The Nice, and the two decided they'd be better off working together. The Nice were about to break up, and because of problems within Crimson, Greg didn't think they would last long, either.

Lake, Fripp and Sinfield were the only members of King Crimson when they recorded the single "Cat Food/Groon" in early 1970. Greg had official left the band before In The Wake of Poseidon was recorded, but did contribute to it.

With the addition of drummer Carl Palmer, the new band became Emerson, Lake & Palmer, releasing the highly successful albums Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Tarkus, Pictures at an Exhibition, Trilogy, and Brain Salad Surgery before reaching the peak of their career together.

In the 1980s, after the break up of ELP, Greg toured as a replacement for John Wetton with the band Asia. He also released two solo albums featuring guitarist Gary Moore, before rejoining Keith Emerson in Emerson, Lake & Powell, with drummer Cozy Powell in Carl Palmer's place because Palmer was working with Asia.
In the 1990s, Emerson, Lake & Palmer reformed again to tour, and release new studio albums, Black Moon and In the Hot Seat Conflicts over the next project caused what may be the final break up of ELP.

Since then, Greg has toured with Ringo Starr's All Star Band, recorded with The Who, and formed The Greg Lake Band. He's also made guess appearances performing with the Trans Siberian Orchestra and Jethro Tull.
Important!

"I am very proud of the music I made in both King Crimson and ELP, and I am very grateful for the success that I achieved, thus far," says Lake. "But there is still much I have to accomplish as a musician, both now and in the future. I still enjoy the experience of performing for live audiences and hope that there are still many worthwhile things for me to achieve through my contribution to the world of music."
Greg Lake

Greg Lake 1973 soundcheck

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Emerson, Lake & Palmer - The Sage

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Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Karn Evil 9

In 1974, Emerson, Lake & Palmer were top of the bill during the California Jam Festival, pushing co-stars Deep Purple to second billing. ELP's California Jam performance was broadcast nationwide in the US and is often seen as the summit of the band's career.
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Emerson, Lake & Powell - Touch and Go

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Greg Lake - I Believe In Father Christmas

"I find it appalling when people say it's politically incorrect to talk about Christmas, you've got to talk about 'The Holiday Season.' Christmas was a time of family warmth and love. There was a feeling of forgiveness, acceptance. And I do believe in Father Christmas." -- Greg Lake
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Greg Lake - I Believe in Father Christmas (Live, 1994)
by upst8 | video info

431 ratings | 272,303 views
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Greg Lake - 21St Century Schizoid Man

From 2005

Greg Lake - 21st Century Schizoid Man
by fachiro1970 | video info

371 ratings | 96,045 views
curated content from YouTube

Greg Lake Workshop

Greg Lake Workshop in Weimar - MDR feature
by jazzyraoul | video info

15 ratings | 38,060 views
curated content from YouTube

Must Haves for the Greg Lake Fan

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Greg Lake Live MP3's

From Disc 1
  1. The Court Of The Crimson King 7:50
  2. Paper Blood 3:57
  3. From The Beginning 6:16
  4. Touch And Go 3:25
  5. Take A Pebble 9:40
  6. I Believe In Father Christmas 3:46
  7. Farewell To Arms 6:12

From Disc 2
  1. Fanfare For The Common Man 7:06
  2. Love You Too Much 4:58
  3. Footprints In The Snow 4:49
  4. Lucky Man 5:26
  5. 21st Century Schizoid Man 6:24
  6. Pictures At An Exhibition 18:15
  7. Karn Evil 9 - 1st Impression Part 2 5:41

Top Greg Lake CD's and DVD's

Vote for your favorites, or add your own!

Greg Lake: Live In Concert

Greg Lake: Live In Concert

2-DVD Set!Greg Lake - The Voice of a Generation. F more...1 point

From the Beginning: Anthology

From the Beginning: Anthology

2 CD set. From The Beginning is made up of key mat more...1 point

Greg Lake

Greg Lake

Greg Lake - The Voice of a Generation. From his in more...0 points

From the Beginning: Retrospective

From the Beginning: Retrospective

Tracks Include: In the Court of Crimson King, Luck more...0 points

King Biscuit Flower Hour: Greg Lake In Concert

King Biscuit Flower Hour: Greg Lake In Concert

ELP's moving singer/songwriter in his amazing solo more...0 points

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Find Out More About Where Greg Lake Is From

Greg Lake was born in Poole, which is right next to Bournemouth. Many people connected to King Crimson and many more talented people came from this area in Dorset, England.

Check this Lens and find out more about Bournemouth:
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