3 (1980s band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1988 |
| Founder | Keith Emerson, Carl Palmer, Robert Berry |
| Defunct | 1989 |
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
The ensemble known as 3 (alternatively referred to as Emerson, Berry & Palmer) was a brief-lived progressive rock group established in 1988 by ex-Emerson, Lake & Palmer members Keith Emerson and Carl Palmer, joined by American multi-instrumentalist Robert Berry.
Following the release of their sole album, To the Power of Three, the band dissolved. Subsequently, Emerson and Palmer reunited with Greg Lake for the 1992 album Black Moon, while Berry went on to form Alliance.
Their live performance as "Emerson and Palmer" occurred at the Atlantic Records 40th Anniversary event in 1988, which was aired on HBO. This concert featured an extended instrumental medley including pieces such as Fanfare for the Common Man, Leonard Bernstein’s America, and Dave Brubeck’s Blue Rondo. Due to contractual constraints with Geffen Records, they did not present original ELP tracks without Lake nor songs from the band 3.
In promotion of their album, 3 embarked on a 1988 tour across various venues, sometimes supplemented by guitarist Paul Keller and backing vocalists Debra Parks and Jennifer Steele. Their performances centered around tracks from the album like "Runaway" and featured an extended rendition of the cover "Eight Miles High". Additionally, they delivered alternate versions of "Desde La Vida" and instrumental improvisations inspired by music previously covered by ELP, including "Hoedown" and "Fanfare for the Common Man", yet excluded original ELP compositions. The setlist also contained a sophisticated interpretation of The Four Tops’ "Standing in the Shadows of Love".
Years later, two live albums were issued via Rock Beat Records: Live Boston 88 (2015) and Live - Rockin' The Ritz (2017).
In October 2015, Emerson and Berry inked a deal with Frontiers Records to produce a follow-up record titled 3.2. The project was interrupted by Emerson’s passing in March 2016. Nevertheless, in July 2018, Berry released The Rules Have Changed under the moniker 3.2, crafted from Emerson’s musical concepts but entirely produced and performed by Berry himself. A subsequent 3.2 release, Third Impression, appeared in 2021.
Band members
- Keith Emerson – keyboards (1988–1989)
- Robert Berry – lead vocals, guitars, bass (1988–1989)
- Carl Palmer – drums, percussion (1988–1989)
Live members
- Paul Keller – guitars (1988–1989)
- Debra Parks – backing vocals (1988–1989)
- Jennifer Steele – backing vocals (1988–1989)
Studio albums
| Year | Album details |
|---|---|
| 1988 | To the Power of Three
|
| 2018 | The Rules Have Changed
|
| 2021 | Third Impression
|
Single
| Year | Single details |
|---|---|
| 1988 | "Talkin' Bout"
|