Re: Grand Funk; Keith Emerson

[Bryant <bryant@merge1.mergetel.com>]

GOFFProf@aol.com wrote:
> 
> Bryant wrote: (in part):
> 
> >   How much damage did Keith Emerson do to his L100 when he stuck
> >  daggers in the keyboards night after night, how were the keyboards
> >  modified to tolerate this brutal punishment, and who did it for him?<
> 
> In the 70's, Keith had replacement L-100's provided by HAMMOND.  For the
> Black Moon tour in 1990 and other recent tours including the just-completed
> one with Jethro Tull,  his L-100 was kept running daily by his Manager and
> keyboard tech Will Alexander, with regular
> major repairs done by myself.   The rough treatment of the L and the dagger
> routine required a lot of cabinet beef up work and constant changing of
> broken keys.  We stripped several old L-100's, M-100's and other spinet
> organs for parts to keep the L working for the last tour and it is close to
> being replaced.  The generator was rigidly mounted on bushings, the manuals
> were made to be accessable, side struts and internal stiffeners were added to
> the cabinet as well as a full base plate with front struts.
> 
> His TARKUS C-3 was completely rebuilt in '96 for the last ELP tour with a
> tube preamp and many mods.  As a matter of fact, several HAMMOND Board
> members saw the organ while it was in my shop for rebuilding.  (Rumors that
> certain Board members soldered wires in the preamp are TRUE! )  Keith's
> PICTURES C-3 and Leslie 122's are also rebuilt; the C-3 has  with full
> velocity MIDI and many other mods.  Can't tell all, but these are rockin''
> organs cusom built for the Master of Rock.
> 
> The Grand Funk add-ons varied as Craig Frost was not always with the band.
>  Several keyboards were used (Rhodes, etc) as with most other bands.
> 
> Al

AL:

Thanks for the insight.  Regarding Craig Frost, I was referring to
electronic processing of the Hammond.  I seem to remember some unusual
sounds emanating from his organ.  Maybe you could fill us in if you have
any knowledge of this.

Thanks.

... Bryant