Keith Emerson’s Suicide & Artists’ High Need For Approval


ELP’s Keith Emerson, Dream Theater’s Jordan Rudess and producer Keith Wechsler












5 thoughts on “Keith Emerson’s Suicide & Artists’ High Need For Approval

  1. Why must Keith Emerson live without wanting to?

    You both say people should live for themselves, but don’t think suicide is a valid choice even though it’s always for the benefit of the person. So which way is it?

    I’m happy for Emerson. He refused to live a life that’s not for him. He told biology to fuck off and did something many people are too chicken to do. If only I were as strong as he.


    1. Whether you’re asking rhetorically or directly, I don’t believe that anybody is entitled to answer that question for someone else. Just because I happen to love life and live it with a fierce passion does not negate the fact that some other folks have had enough, and they want out.

      Everybody has a unique path. Far be it from me to judge anyone but myself.

      In your comment above, you imply that you wish you had Emerson’s courage to commit the final act. Although I do not comprehend the compulsion to be dead, I’m not going to talk you out of it. Instead I will refer to your blog post on suicide prevention. You outlined three different “types.” I found the third one intriguing because it addressed the idea of retooling society. From my outside perspective, it seems like crusading for that cause might be enough of a reason to continue living, even if for just one more day. Having a sense of purpose is a powerful thing.


      1. Sure, but you having or wanting a reason to live doesn’t equal everyone must live.

        Anti-suicide people are among the least empathetic people, right along with criminals. They cannot seem to imagine some people lives’ aren’t like theirs.

        You have a lot of things you don’t want to do. If your desire to live deserves respect, so is our desire to die.


  2. Brent Babow says:

    MJ- Having been friends for somewhere around 17 years, I’ve seen you through good times and tough times. I know that what you write is truly how you live your life. Thanks for sharing.


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