Classic British Flight Sim

Prog-rock 'keyboardist' Keith Emerson has passed away:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-35787187

I don't know what he's doing in the second picture - maybe he's come over all progressive-like. I remember Plymouth Guildhall; it had that effect on you.

I never saw ELP but I've got a few of their albums up in the loft. Those of a certain vintage here will remember Tarkus, and the armadillo with gun turrets on the cover.

RIP Keith - yet another one gone.

EDIT: Tarkus, if you fancy a listen;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKNOlDtZluU

Hmm.. a mad lot and no mistakin' Never got to see them live but one of the lads in my class had an older brother who was an engineer with Island Records and could get their albums on the cheap. I still have Pictures at an exhibition knocking around somewhere (also in the loft). A huge band in their day.

RIP Mr E
ATB
DaveB

Yep, Pictures at an Exhibition ! The encore Nutcracker was superb. I really must bring this lot down and listen to it all again. Just need to buy a record player first.

On a serious note, it seems Keith ended his own life, according to police. I wonder what drove him to it. Terminal illness perhaps ?

Yes.. I noticed that in the report you posted and thought.. a gunshot wound to the head is definitely NOT natural causes That report says he had a colon related illness and perhaps couldn't face how he might have ended up.

With you on the record player lark. I dragged my JVC direct drive deck out of retirement a few years ago with a view to copying my albums to digital format and the darned thing must have lasted a whole 20 seconds before it died Looked at the cost of a possible replacement and gave up on the idea almost immediately I've since replaced many with cd's but if you don't want to go down that route.. a lot are readily available to listen to on youtube (as is 'Pictures..' which I enjoyed 20mins of this morning)
ATB
DaveB

I've just listened to Karn Evil 9 from the Brain Salad Surgery album.

RIP Keith.

I have the album and it's close to the combined turntable, cassette, CD player that converts from those sources to MP3. It seemed like a good idea but unfortunately the quality of the output is awful. My hearing is going so it didn't have to be good to please me (I didn't expect it to be for the price) but it was unfortunately a waste of money.

Jon

DaveB wrote: perhaps couldn't face how he might have ended up.

Well.. it wasn't my suggestion Joe but folks who see the only way out is to commit suicide are driven by something and often.. you never find out what that something is or was.

ATB
DaveB

True

For those considering the purchase of a record player, please be forewarned away from the temptation of buying a Crossley. They may look snazzy and cute and affordable, but they are guaranteed to tear up the vinyl. It is possible to get a good player on a budget, but not these.

Thanks for that Alex. I have seen Crossley ones in John Lewis, and did wonder, but I shall avoid them now. Thanks for the tip. I've been thinking of getting an Ion one for some time, and JL sell those too. I've got a stack of vinyl that I haven't listened to in 20-odd years.