Watch Video From Keith Emerson Memorial Concert

The Official Keith Emerson Tribute Concert was held at the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles on Saturday night with a host of artists saluting the keyboardist who took his own life on March 11.

The Keith Emerson Band guitarist Marc Bonilla assembled the show that included performances by Brian Auger, Gregg Bissonette, Steve Porcaro, Steve Lukather, Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, Eddie Jobson and many more with the assistance of the full Keith Emerson Band.

Noticeably absent from the tribute were fellow ELP members Carl Palmer and Greg Lake; however, Emerson’s long-time partner, Mari Kawaguchi, tried to explain their absence earlier in May by saying that this was a Keith Emerson tribute and not one for Emerson, Lake and Palmer. While there would be ELP music played, the show would also include music from Keith’s later career.

This tribute concert is BY his friends, and FOR his friends. Our line-up consists of the world’s best musicians whom Keith loved, respected, laughed with, toured with, collaborated with….and they loved Keith not only as a musician, but as a person. I always felt that love Keith received from them was, and is, in a way unconditional. I know they would still carry on the show even if there were only 10 people in the audience because this is also for Keith – to show him our respect and love, and to celebrate his music.

Although the set list will consists many of the Emerson, Lake & Palmer tunes, this is not an ELP tribute show. This is a KEITH EMERSON tribute show, and a gathering of those who love Keith. Some of you may not be familiar with his later compositions. If that’s the case, I cannot wait for you to hear the glory and the beauty of his more recent works he created with brilliant artists in Rock and Classical field.

The show will be released on DVD at some point in the near future but, for now, here is some fan shot footage of highlights from the evening: