Emerson, Lake & Palmer

Progressive Rock Supergroup

Emerson, Lake & Palmer (ELP) were a pioneering English progressive rock supergroup formed in 1970. The band consisted of keyboardist Keith Emerson, bassist/guitarist/vocalist Greg Lake, and drummer/percussionist Carl Palmer. They were known for their elaborate and theatrical live performances, as well as their fusion of classical music with rock, jazz, and symphonic elements. ELP's self-titled debut album, "Emerson, Lake & Palmer," was released in 1970 and showcased their virtuosic musicianship and complex compositions. This was followed by the release of "Tarkus" in 1971, an album that featured a side-long title track with multiple movements, further cementing their reputation as progressive rock innovators. Another notable work is their live album "Pictures at an Exhibition" based on Modest Mussorgsky's classical piece of the same name; it demonstrated their ability to reinterpret classical music within a rock context. Throughout the 1970s, ELP enjoyed significant commercial success and were one of the top live acts of the era. However, by the end of the decade, changing musical tastes and internal tensions led to a decline in their popularity. The band disbanded in 1979 but reunited several times in subsequent years before finally disbanding after Emerson's death in 2016.