KEITH EMERSON THE LEGEND WORLD’S KEYBOARD PLAYER

The Hammond Hall of Fame Class of 2014 recognizes the pioneers, innovators and trailblazers who all have the “King of Instruments“ in common. 1972 Los Angeles one night, Emerson amazes conductor Zubin Metha Montreal. “Keith, I heard in my life but this is the first time it is given me to see a musician improvising in 12/8. His talent for improvisation is prodigius. Keith Emerson, had he lived at the time of the Grand Masters, he might have been a Chopin, Mozart, Bach.... What Jimmy Smith is to Jazz Organ, Keith Emerson is to Rock. Possessing a virtuoso technique on par with any Classical artist, Keith’s career has pushed the Hammond Organ to new heights. Keith’s first entry into the limelight was with The Nice, but he broke wide open into worldwide mega-stardom with Emerson, Lake and Palmer, playing not one, but TWO Hammonds onstage. Keith’s style melds modern and traditional Classical motifs with Jimmy Smith-style Bop into a whole that not only explores new ground, but appeals to audiences everywhere.