Music to Your Ears: ELP’s ‘Trilogy’
One of progressive rock’s leading lights as well as one of its first supergroups, Emerson Lake & Palmer exploded onto the music scene with “Lucky Man,” the hit single from their self-titled debut album. Featuring the virtuoso keyboard work of pianist Keith Emerson, the group also pioneered use of the Moog synthesizer, a then-new instrument developed by Dr. Robert A. Moog (later of my current hometown, Asheville NC).
Emerson Lake & Palmer enjoyed a successful and high-profile run through most of the 1970s, but arguably their creative pinnacle was their fourth release, 1972’s Trilogy. Featuring a deft balance of both the band’s ambitious “prog” sensibility (including classical music themes) and a strong melodic approach (in the form of catchy singles like “From the Beginning”), Trilogy is simultaneously the band’s most stylistic varied record and its most accessible.
Released in a banner year for music – one that included some of the best-ever albums from David Bowie, the Moody Blues, Lou Reed and countless others – Trilogy made the point that progressive music could appeal to a wide audience.
If you’re in or near Asheville on Wednesday, July 6, join me for an evening of music and discussion as we take a deep dive into ELP’s Trilogy. With special guest André Cholmondeley (crew and instrument technician for Emerson Lake & Palmer and for solo tours by both Greg Lake and Carl Palmer), we’ll explore Trilogy and gain an understanding of its place in musical history.
On separate occasions over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing Keith Emerson, Greg Lake and Carl Palmer.
The event is the latest installment of Music to Your Ears. MTYE is my monthly discussion series hosted by Asheville Guitar Bar and co-sponsored by AshevilleFM. On the first Wednesday of each month, music enthusiasts gather to discuss an important album, artist or musical movement. An interactive evening, Music to Your Ears isn’t a lecture; it’s a discussion led by experts and designed to enrich the listening experience.
- WHAT: Music to Your Ears Discussion Series: Emerson Lake & Palmer’s Trilogy
- WHO: Discussion led by music journalist/author Bill Kopp w/special guest André Cholmondeley
- WHERE: Asheville Guitar Bar, 122 Riverside Dr., Suite D, Asheville
- WHEN: Wednesday, July 6, 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. $10 at the door / SEATING IS LIMITED
- FOR MORE INFO: visit www.musoscribe.com/talks and/or https://www.facebook.com/events/393749932702544/
About the Author
Bill Kopp
With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day since 2018). The 4000-plus interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he is co-teaching a history of Rock 'n' Roll at UNC Asheville's College for Seniors. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- more than 30 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What's the Big Idea: 40 Great Concept Albums will be published in 2024. Read even more about him here.