Fanfare for the Common Man - Emerson, Lake & Palmer (Olympic Stadium Montreal)

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From "Works Volume One- 1977" (at the Olympic Stadium Montreal)
- Keith Emerson: Yamaha GX1 polyphonic synthesizer
- Greg Lake: 8-string bass
- Carl Palmer: percussion, drums

"Fanfare for the Common Man" is a 20th-century American classical music work by American composer Aaron Copland. The piece was written in 1942 for the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra under conductor Eugene Goossens. It was inspired in part by a famous speech made earlier in the same year where vice president Henry A. Wallace proclaimed the dawning of the "Century of the Common Man". Several cover versions have been made and fragments of work has appeared in many subsequent US and British cultural productions, such as in the musical scores of movies.
Copland's fanfare was used in 1977 by British rock band Emerson, Lake & Palmer on the album Works Volume 1. The track became one of the band's biggest hits when an edited version was released as a single that year. It peaked at No. 2 in the UK. Keith Emerson had long been an admirer of Copland's American style, previously using Copland's Hoedown on the band's Trilogy album in 1972.

In a BBC Radio interview, Copland relayed his reaction to the piece:
"Interviewer: Just before I left London, I heard a piece of music of yours, Fanfare for the Common Man, which had been taken by a rock group Emerson, Lake & Palmer. How do you feel about that?
Copland: Well, (laughs) of course it's very flattering to have one's music adopted by so popular a group, and so good a group as Emerson, Lake & Palmer. A lot depends on what they do with what they take, and naturally since I have a copyright on such material, they're not able to take it without my permission; so that in each case, where I have given my permission, there was something that attracted me about the version that they perform, which made me think I'd like to allow them to release it. Of course, I always prefer my own version best, but (laughs) what they do is really around the piece, you might say, rather than a literal transposition of the piece, and they're a gifted group. In that particular case, I allowed it to go by because when they first play it, they play it fairly straight and when they end the piece, they play it very straight. What they do in the middle, I'm not sure exactly how they connect that with my music but (laughs) they do it someway, I suppose. But the fact that at the beginning and the end it really is the Fanfare for the Common Man gave me the feeling I ought to allow them to do it as they pleased.
Interviewer: I know your original work is just over three minutes and Emerson, Lake & Palmer have managed to turn it into a nine minute work.
Copland: (Laughs) Exactly, well, it's those six minutes in the middle...(laughs)"


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[ilovegaga]

One of my dad's funeral songs, he was taken away 28th December. ELP were his favourite band and now they are mine. RIP Dad and Keith. ❤️

[garyryckman]

Now this is what a music video should look like. Just performing the music!

[EdwinHenryBlachford]

sometimes you forget how great it was in the 70's & 80's.  When things were new. Fresh. Raw.  I miss it

[markcastrovinci]

These guys were so talented. I could never get over each of their individual skills. Innovators who brought so much more than quick little 3 minute jingles for a quick little buck. Thank goodness for their recordings. They will surely live on forever. And long live Carl Palmer who continues to rock on.

[katemurphy]

I remember the seventies, I was a little kid, this music changed my

[tarkus]

Sad, so sad. Nothing to say, just sadness!
RIP MR. Emerson!

[DougBrogar]

R.I.P Key Hendrix Board & thanks for that millions of notes you give to these world

[zmarlene]

RIP Keith Emerson :'( Thank you for sharing your music with us, you were in a class by yourself. You will never be forgotten.

[veronicacougar]

This is the music that helped shape my character, inspire my dreams, forge my spirit. I remember lying on my bed in my room with this and other ELP albums on my stereo, all playing "on eleven, " being completely blown away by their genius and mastery of the medium and their instruments. After them, the bar had been raised, and all others faded in comparison. They pretty much ruined me for any other kind of music, well into my 20's, lol! I once met Keith's manager at a party in Hollywood, and the first thing I said to him is, "If I met Keith Emerson today, I would ask him to marry me." His response: "He would probably say yes!" Oh, if only!!! Goodbye, Keith, I am so sad that you felt there was no other way. I am in tears watching this. How devastating it must have been that you so loved and adored and lived and breathed and existed and encompassed music that you just could not bear losing your ability to create and perform it. Prayers for your soul.

[rld]

OMG, RIP Keith Emerson. You were THE best piano player ever. He played it all - classical, jazz, blues, rock, pop, etc. and he played every kind of keys. He made the MOOG as the new sound for rock and roll. RIP to the very best. And the stupid hall didn't vote them in yet? They aren't worth getting into. They're the Hall of Shame.

[NanouDub]

Was at that incredible show, 37 years ago tomorrow :-) A great experience...

[Lordscotia]

This is one of the most iconic film clips of all time.May it stay that way forever.

[MitchTenderness]

Incredible song. Incredible version. Incredible coats.

[g.hughey]

This morning I heard another of the genuine genius greats had slipped away... forever. I hope they're bright and shinning worlds you find Mr. Emerson... Bright and shinning worlds!

[Chris.Brisson]

RIP, Keith Emerson. No man, common or no, hath a greater fanfare.

[MassimilianoBiagetti]

I start to play piano on 1977 to copy him.
Thanks, Master.

[patriciadyar]

So many mixed emotions... So many memories... ELP was a huge part of the soundtrack of my teenage years. Remembering Keith Emerson and the joy he brought.

[MrGTO-zevb]

RIP Greg and Keith. ELP has made the world a better place. We will always enjoy your magnificent performances.
It is here on youtube, vinyl, CD, DVDs, film and harddrives... Welcome Back My Friends To The Show That NEVER

[MichaelVLang]

Incredible power and majesty! Thank you Keith!!!

[marcelomonferrato]

We'll miss him so much... RIP Keith.