Hi,
There is way too much music that has been such a large part of my life ... that it is hard to sit here, in some tears, and write something that says a nice thing or two ... that is also meaningful to others and the families involved.
I have always thought that Greg Lake's strength was that his "singing" was in actuality more "acting" than it was actually singing. It may have had a correct tone, or note, but the inflection was emotion, not the note. It's really hard to listen to things like "Lucky Man" and/or "Epitath", or "21st Century Schizoid Man", and not feel the strength and the belief behind those words ... they were very much in tune with the time, the place and the social environs in both Europe and America and indeed the whole world.
I remember his first solo album, and it was fine, but the 2nd one, failed for me, because it was like they were trying to make a "singer" out of him, and that was not the kind of person he was. The material that had punch, and had strength and had strong emotions in each line, were the things that he stood up for so well, and in his first album I can remember "Retribution Drive" and "Nuclear Attack", and how strong they were and even though these were rock anthems, instead of music anthems a la ELP, they were still strong, and enhanced big time by some great folks.
But nothing, stands out for me, as much as ... "Lucky Man", and then "Tarkus" ... and the amazing words ... don't tell me lies ... punch punch punch on the drums ... and some other moments in music that still give me ripples on my skin. There was a strength of thought, idea and commentary, that was exactly what we needed, although many of us never really understood a lot of this until much later. I appreciated the literary side of it, and its design and writing concept. I thought it was important and valuable and much more interesting than the simplistic notion of just another song for the radio. This was pure, unadulterated classical music for our ears, brought by the folks of our day and age ... and for that I am forever thankful that they were able to help me see, the greatest beauty in the human condition ... elevated to an art form that rock music invented that classical music lacked ... some attitude and touch and style!
I'm just glad I was able to be there and feel it, and feel blessed for it. Others can laugh, but I will always cherich the beauty and heart behind it, because it is the purest element that we can elevate ourselves in our lives.
RIP ... Greg ... and thanks so much for something that words can not even express. Maybe a tear or two might help ... you will be missed, but above all, never forgotten for this person, to my last breadth.
Pedro Sena