Emerson Lake and Palmer

This was both the boldest move the band ever made, and the beginning of their undoing.

Greg Lake was a hard sell on the seven-part title suite at first.

Keith Emerson and Greg Lake were ready to reunite – even if it meant going on without Carl Palmer.

The U.K. release was an immediate success, peaking at No. 4 on the charts.

The sessions reflected their time, with a setting as flamboyant as the band's combination of rock and classical music.

As the end of the '70s neared, they found themselves at a commercial and creative crossroads.