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I never had a
particular fondness for DJ's whether they showed up at
gigs or sounded out on the radio. Anyone can play
records. In the sixties it could be a disadvantage in
the underground movement if you had a recording played
over the radio because, to your hardcore fans, it meant
you had sold out. There was a lot of payola going on
with 'so called DJ's' getting back handers from
independent record companies so I didn't entertain them.
Three significant DJ's stand out and John Peel might be
one of them and not just because of his infamous comment
about ELP 'being a waste of talent and electricity'. He
actually liked the dirt and grit of the tree growing.
However, once it blossomed he wasn't interested in the
fruit.
I think the
late Scott Muni of WNEW in New York set a brief standard
in American radio by playing the whole of ELP's Pictures
At An Exhibition when it finally got released over
there. Alan Freeman was different. He'd mix all the
medias of music together starting off with a big band
arrangement of 'At The Sign Of The Swinging Cymbal' and
having catch phrases like 'Hello Pop Pickers' which to
me was a little embarrassing at the time. But I listened
to his radio shows because he'd interject classical
snippets in between popular pieces of the day. His radio
show was so bright and full of variety that you just had
to listen not knowing what was coming next. (Future DJ's
take note.) Of course I held back some pride when he
played some ELP and remained curious as to why he did
so, because no one else did so. And I suppose ELP and
The Nice adopted him at the beginning because of his
bravery, and later because of his sincerity and devotion
to all music. I'd often bump into him at one of the BBC
Radio Studios and hang out with him, as I know that Greg
and Carl did the same. So when Alan Freeman announced
ELP on stage at The Royal Albert Hall, it was an
emotional moment for everyone because he above all was
calling us all back with' Welcome Back My Friends' as
I'm sure he will continue to do so.... up there with all
the music.
Miss Ya Fluff,
Keith.
November 28, 2006
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