When Keith’s merch team received the first order for an “Emerson, Lake & Palmer Fine Art Print - Signed by All 3 Members of ELP”, we noticed two things: “This looks like a gift order”; “The recipient lives locally” (which doesn’t happen that often). So Keith suggested, “Why don’t I hand deliver it myself?” “Are you serious?” “Yeah, why not! That’d be fun!” So we contacted the lady who placed the order to see if that’s possible, and she wrote back, “Wow!!” It turns out that Ilse is the younger sister of the recipient, Ron Neef, and that it was an early birthday gift to him. What a nice sister! (Don’t send him birthday wishes yet! It’s not until early July.) Also, she wrote that he has been a huge ELP fans all these years. The coordinated effort was made between us and Ron’s family and friends to make this happen and to keep it secret to Ron. “Hi, my name is ‘Iva Purcell’ from UPS, and I have a delivery from your sister.” That was what Keith said upon entering Ron’s office. Well, you can see the results of it in the photos below. The expression on Ron’s face was priceless, and touching. “Let’s-go-in-and-out” delivery turned out to be a long stay as Keith enjoyed talking to Ron and his friend (co-conspirator) Gary so much, and we promised to meet again locally. It was such a “feel-good-day” for the both parties involved. (Thanks to Gary Gilbert for being there and taking photos. Ron and Gary are wearing “Tarkus” Score T-shirts in the photo. Very limited number of “ELP Art Print” and other merch are still available at: amazon/shops/keithemerson (CD’s, poster, “Tarkus” medallions, book) and keithemerson-store (T-shirt, poster, “Tarkus” medallion, book) Here is what Ron posted on his Facebook. You can feel his excitement!: “Okay, so whenever someone asks me how I am, I almost always answer Its good to be me. When asked why, I normally just answer because it is and I mean it. Its silly to expect other people to understand what we each feel or why we live in a state of gratitude. Today, however, I experienced one of those moments that illustrates why my life is such a great place to be. My sister Ilse Leiker ordered me a very special early birthday gift online. And then her gesture took on a life of its own. You see, Emerson Lake & Palmer have always been my favorite band and she ordered a limited edition print autographed by all three members. Just so happens that Mari, personal assistant to KEITH EMERSON noticed that Im local and so she asked Ilse if it would be appropriate for Keith to surprise me and, rather than mailing the print, deliver it to my office himself. Oh my God. Thank you Ilse! And thanks to my darling Tamara Funk and my friend Gary Gilbert for arranging to have the event chronicled. If I didnt have the pictures to look at Im still not sure I would believe this actually transpired today. Im told it so often happens that when we finally have a chance to meet a hero, it can be very disappointing. Not today. Keith was humble, gracious and funny, a true class act. I never thought Id meet the man. Well, as the song goes, Welcome back, my friends, to the show that never ends....
Posted on: Fri, 09 May 2014 19:04:34 +0000
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