Though I think your characterization of me affords more credit than is due, a response seems in order. No, I've not personally spent any quality time with ELP or Wakeman. But is it completely unwarranted to make such an assertion based on public behavior and statements made in the mass media? Or should we assume that they're "just playing rock star" in those contexts, but in real life they're sweethearts? Moreover, I'd think it was pretty clear by now that "constructive" isn't really the point of a "worst records" thread - at least, certainly not by THIS point in its devolution. When we talk about one Zorn or Arto or Frisell album being below that artist's par, perhaps that's in some way constructive, but when someone tosses 'Love Beach' into the ring, we're just pulling wings off of flies. However, for the sake of public decency (and just in case Emerson and Wakeman are actually kinder people than Lake has revealed himself to be), I certainly can try to avoid pissing on those bright red fire hydrants in public. Steve Smith ssmith36@sprynet.com NP - Something that sounds like Mozart choral music on a Dutch classical internet radio station... On Tue, 02 Jul 2002 20:33:33 +0000 David Evans <davidcerievans@hotmail.com> wrote:

hey, i thought the worst record of all time was supposed to be ELP's Love Beach. i never did hear any of it.

FAR too banal and insignificant to be the worst of all time. ELP might

...

qualify as most self-important, pompous gits of all time, though Rick Wakeman's always offering a challenge to that particular throne...

People criticising records they've never heard and probably the most informed list contibutor slagging off the personalities of musicians I suspect he's never met. We've really hit rock bottom now. Is there any danger of anyone saying anything constructive?