On June 27, in Zoagli (GE), the 2nd ART IN
PROGRESS EVENT will be proposed in memory of Greg Lake. All
information (in italian) at the following link:
The event, which presents an evident
fragrance of ELP, will have important and welcome guests:
REGINA LAKE (wife of Greg Lake of the ELP)
ELIONOR EMERSON (wife of Keith Emerson of the ELPs)
ETHAN EMERSON, who dedicates a piano concert to
his grandfather Keith Emerson and the ELPs
I tried to ask a few questions to Aaron Emerson, one of
Keith's two sons, and to young Ethan, who will perform on the occasion.
Some questions for Aaron
Premise: I saw ELP live when I was 17 (1973) and a few years
ago I interviewed your father, as happened with Greg Lake, whom I met
personally… just to say that I have a strong connection with that music and
with those legendary musicians who have marked my life. I have some curiosity four
you...
How was your family
life having such an important father? Has it influenced you so much in your choices?
Growing up, my dad
was on the road a lot of the time and my mum looked after myself and my brother
Damon, but when he did come home I got to listen to a lot of music at a young
age that, I guess, not a lot of 4 or 5 year olds got to listen to. Not a lot of
kids at that age would listen to Prog Rock, but I was also listening to a lot
of Classical music, and Jazz Artists and whatever he would play around the
house. There are some songs that still stick with me to this day that he played
when I was a kid, one of those was ‘Mountain Dance’ by Dave Grusin, also some
very eclectic tunes that are out there, Chick Corea, Oscar Peterson, Jimmy
Smith, Jack McDuff. So I got to listen to a lot of music at that age through
dad. I would be listening to other music at school from my friends who were
probably raised on more contemporary music, but I got introduced to a lot of
different styles.
Have you continued
your musical activity over time or have you chosen other paths?
I have continued to
play music. I’ve had some bands over the years, Buzztonic was one of them and
that was the first record deal I had. Now I am doing some session work, and
writing with Steve Mac, Russell Small and Dino Psaras, who are world league
artists/producers.
What do you think about
Ethan's passion for music? Did you somehow push it in that direction or was it
all natural?
We never pushed
Ethan into playing the piano. I think he’s got a great gift. It’s his choice
and we’ll see how it goes! I can guide him, but he has to choose his own path.
He started playing dad’s music, I’m not expecting him to be playing dad’s music
forever. I’d like him to try and find his own style, and do whatever he feels
he wants to play. Whatever it is artistically, or any type of art or music,
whatever he enjoys to do, I will support.
Do you have a memory, an anecdote of when you were a child
and you had the chance to live and see up close the most important rock
musicians?
I got to meet some
amazing musicians over the years, Jeff Beck, Roger Daltrey, Ray Mansarek,
Robbie Krieger, Jack Bruce to name a few. I remember when I was a kid, opening
the door to Roger Daltrey who had come to do a session with dad in the barn at
Stonehill where I grew up, and we went fishing at his house. Of course, Jim
Davidson was always a good friend to my dad too and spent a lot of time with us
at Stonehill.
A friend of mine, always
remembers how he became a keyboard player after meeting Keith, when you were in
his parents' school in Switzerland: do you remember him?
I was very young
when we lived in Switzerland, so I’m sorry but I don’t remember much about that
time. The only thing I remember is we lived next door to David Bowie because I
used to play in the garden with his son!
… and for Ethan
Your love for music
seems obvious, given the atmosphere you've always breathed at home, but I'd
like to know if you already have clear ideas about what you would like to do
when you grow up...
I would like to
continue playing music, and I’m excited to see where that takes me. I am
starting my exams in music at school so that will have to put a focus on that
over the next few years.
It is quite
difficult to imagine a boy your age listening to progressive music: do you know
ELP albums? Is there one in particular that you like best?
My favourite album
of my grandfathers is ‘Emerson Plays Emerson’ because I love the classical
compositions that he wrote. As for ELP, I think ‘Trilogy’ has to be my
favourite.
How do you
reconcile music with school?
It’s not too bad,
as we have a piano in our house so I can practice and have lessons at home. I
am studying music at school as well, along with all my other subjects.
I saw a video in
which you play with an orchestra: I would like to know what you felt and if,
looking to the future, you think more about playing inside a band or solo
performance.
I was incredibly
excited and nervous to play with the orchestra. At the time of that performance
at the Birmingham Tribute Show, I was only 11 years old, but the conductor
Terje Mikkleson made me feel very comfortable, and it was an amazing feeling
after the performance! Looking to the future, who knows?!
Your performance is
scheduled for June 27th, in Italy: are you happy with this new experience?
I am so excited and
so honoured to be asked to play. I am playing in memory of two incredible
artists, Greg Lake and Keith Emerson, and honouring their memory and making
them proud is very important to me.
One last thing:
what memories do you have of grandpa? Is there an anecdote you want to share
with those who will come to listen to you at Zoagli?
My grandfather used
to give me piano lessons at his house, just him and me. This is a very special
memory for me. He was always very funny too.
