There were a handful of artists that initiated my interest in holiday-themed singles by Rock, Blues, R&B and Country artists during my stint as a Rock radio programmer. Greg Lake's "I Believe in Father Christmas" was one.
Just as most had a favorite Beatle, Greg was always my favorite in Emerson, Lake and Palmer, dating back to the very first album and the second side closer, "Lucky Man." Written when he was 12, the song so didn't resonate with the rest of the LP...and yet, it did after Keith and Carl added their touches.
ELP's lyricist, he provided the ballads that crossed the band over to mainstream radio with "From the Beginning" on the third album and "Still...You Turn Me On" from Brain Salad Surgery.
As a solo artist, he unleashed one of his most melancholy on his first...and wrote one of the first of the original Holiday classics in the Rock era.
Greg departed terra firma earlier this week. On this Holiday Music Friday, there are several versions of "I Believe in Father Christmas" we could go with.
Today, we go with the original.
God's speed, Greg.
All versions are great like the performance at St. Bride's Church in London. The original is an excellent choice for a snowy Friday as it is an all time favorite.
Posted by: Lee T | December 09, 2016 at 09:13