Jimmy Page reveals his reaction when he first saw Keith Emerson play

Led Zeppelin‘s Jimmy Page revealed his reaction when he first saw the legendary keyboardist Keith Emerson play. The musician talked about the late Emerson, Lake & Palmer and The Nice member on his Instagram.

Jimmy Page said about his reaction when he first saw Keith Emerson play:

“In 1969, Led Zeppelin were within the bill. But I remember seeing The Nice play with Keith Emerson for the first time. He was phenomenal to watch at that time, stabbing the keyboard with knives to set up a drone, whilst playing and improvising over it. Rocking the organ backwards and forward, switching it on and off, making it alter in pitch and defying gravity.

“At this time he was the Hendrix of the Hammond organ. Fantastic.⁣ In 1970, we played and it was really cold. The people at the front of the audience were covered by sleeping bags, coats and blankets to keep them warm. It was because of the cold weather that I wore my overcoat and hat that day. It was an honest statement.⁣

“This was around the Bron-Yr-Aur and third album period, so material was played hot off the press. So we started with ‘Immigrant Song’ and were relentless in showing why we deserved to be top of the bill. Here’s a setlist.⁣

⁣Setlist⁣:

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On this day, @LedZeppelin played at the Bath Festival twice – once in 1969 and once in 1970 – and both concerts coincided on the 28th June.⁣ ⁣ In 1969, Led Zeppelin were within the bill, but I remember seeing The Nice play with Keith Emerson for the first time. He was phenomenal to watch at that time, stabbing the keyboard with knives to set up a drone, whilst playing and improvising over it. Rocking the organ backwards and forward, switching it on and off, making it alter in pitch and defying gravity. At this time he was the Hendrix of the Hammond organ. Fantastic.⁣ ⁣ In 1970, we played and it was really cold. The people at the front of the audience were covered by sleeping bags, coats and blankets to keep them warm. It was because of the cold weather that I wore my overcoat and hat that day. It was an honest statement.⁣ ⁣ This was around the Bron-Yr-Aur and third album period, so material was played hot off the press. We started with 'Immigrant Song' and were relentless in showing why we deserved to be top of the bill. Here's a setlist.⁣ ⁣ Setlist⁣ Immigrant Song⁣ Heartbreaker⁣ Dazed & Confused⁣ Bring It On Home⁣ Since I've been Loving You⁣ Thank You⁣ The Boy Next Door (That's The Way)⁣ What Is and What Should Never Be⁣ Moby Dick⁣ How Many More Times⁣ Whole Lotta Love⁣ ⁣ Communication Breakdown⁣ Long Tall Sally⁣ ⁣ There was an attempt to film this, but, as we preferred to play at dusk, the filming was unsuccessful as the film crew had brought daylight film – as opposed to the High Speed film needed to capture night filming.⁣ ⁣ Sir Peter Blake told me that he attended both of these concerts.

A post shared by Jimmy Page (@jimmypage) on Jun 28, 2020 at 11:23am PDT

Immigrant Song⁣
Heartbreaker⁣
Dazed & Confused⁣
Bring It On Home⁣
Since I’ve Been Loving You⁣
Thank You⁣
The Boy Next Door (That’s The Way)⁣
What Is and What Should Never Be⁣
Moby Dick⁣
How Many More Times⁣
Whole Lotta Love⁣
⁣Communication Breakdown⁣
Long Tall Sally⁣

“There was an attempt to film this, but, as we preferred to play at dusk, the filming was unsuccessful as the film crew had brought daylight film – as opposed to the High Speed film needed to capture night filming.⁣ Sir Peter Blake told me that he attended both of these concerts.”

Keith Emerson’s death

Emerson died on 11 March 2016 in Santa Monica, California, of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. His body was found at his Santa Monica home.Following an autopsy, the medical examiner ruled Emerson’s death a suicide. They concluded that he had also suffered from heart disease and from depression associated with alcohol.