EMERSON LAKE & PALMER

Probably the most important Progressive Rock album ever!!! November 26, 2003 Some would probably suggest that "Days of Future Passed" by The Moody Blues is the first true progressive album. True, it was innovative. Classical, yet mixed with rock. But, that doesn't quite define "Progressive". I think the first progressive rock concept LP has to be "In the Court of the Crimson King", by King Crimson. And I'm sure other countries had their "prog" concept bands beginning around 1969. But what makes Emerson, Lake, and Palmer's debut LP so important is that the three members came from other experimental rock projects. Three individuals, and three individually powerful performers. Three people who could entertain an audience doing a solo performance, not necessarily needing the others to help enhance their performance. Yes, three commanding forces in their own spotlights on the stage before the world to see. Before ELP, the only bands that we knew all the band members by name were really only The Beatles and maybe The Rolling Stones. ELP was the first band to really give us all pre-conceived expectations of what they can do. The first SuperGroup! Who would have thought that all that "ego" could work together without competing with each other, or get in each others way? This first album by ELP was either going to be a super success, or sudden death for the Prog genre! This was an album that sounded like nothing else out there. It was definitely the one first album to shape the future of many Progressive Rock bands throughout the early to mid Seventies. It was the one album that other experimental Prog bands measured their concepts and goals to. The one album all Progressive Rock lovers praised, and, still to this day, cherish. Often imitated, but never equaled by any measure. ELP's first album is what defines what progressive rock truly is. ELP's follow-up albums were unique as well. New ideas always came to ELP. But, new progressive bands were growing all around and were competing with ELP with the concept that they created. And eventually, ELP was just lost in the wash of other Prog bands during that era. But, loyalty always goes to the first, of course. The innovator must never be overlooked. Although other famous Prog bands followed, such as Strawbs, Yes, Pink Floyd, Triumvirat, The Moody Blues, and many others, but Emerson, Lake, and Palmer is the most famous, and most recognized Progressive Rock band in history.