Chris Bradford and Andy Scott wrote the song “Famous Last Words” for The Album Manoeuvres, and both are on backing vocals for this particular song.
Manoeuvres was Greg Lake’s second and final solo studio album, released in July 1983 on Chrysalis Records. It followed his 1981 self-titled solo debut and featured much of the same band, including legendary guitarist Gary Moore, bassist Tris Margetts, drummer Ted McKenna, and keyboardist Tommy Eyre.
The album marked a shift away from the grand progressive rock sound of Emerson, Lake & Palmer toward a more accessible AOR/pop-rock style that was popular in the early 1980s. Critics were divided, and sales were modest compared with Lake’s earlier work. Lake later noted that the album received little promotion and was not supported by a major tour. It became his final solo studio release.
Track Listing
- Manoeuvres
- Too Young to Love
- Paralysed
- A Woman Like You
- I Don’t Wanna Lose Your Love Tonight
- It’s You, You Gotta Believe It
- Famous Last Words
- Slave to Love
- I Don’t Know Why I Still Love You
Key Personnel
- Greg Lake – vocals, bass, guitar
- Gary Moore – guitar
- Tris Margetts – bass
- Ted McKenna – drums
- Tommy Eyre – keyboards
Musical Style
The album blends:
- Melodic rock
- AOR (Album-Oriented Rock)
- Pop-influenced progressive rock
- Guitar-driven arena rock
Many listeners compare its sound to bands such as Asia, which is interesting because Lake briefly joined Asia later in 1983.
Notable Songs
- “Manoeuvres” – the title track, featuring Gary Moore’s guitar work.
- “Too Young to Love” – one of the album’s harder-rocking tracks.
- “A Woman Like You” – a melodic ballad showcasing Lake’s distinctive voice.
- “It’s You, You Gotta Believe It” – the album’s longest and most progressive composition.
Short Biography: Greg Lake (1947–2016)
Gregory Stuart Lake was an English singer, bassist, guitarist, songwriter, and producer, born on 10 November 1947 in Poole, Dorset, England. He is regarded as one of the defining voices of progressive rock.
Career Highlights
King Crimson (1969–1970)
Lake first gained international fame as the lead singer and bassist of King Crimson. His vocals were a major feature of the landmark album In the Court of the Crimson King (1969), widely considered one of the most influential progressive rock albums ever made.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer (1970–1979)
After leaving King Crimson, he co-founded Emerson, Lake & Palmer (ELP) with keyboardist Keith Emerson and drummer Carl Palmer. ELP became one of the most successful progressive rock bands of the 1970s, selling tens of millions of records worldwide. Lake contributed vocals, bass, guitar, songwriting, and production.
Famous Songs
- Lucky Man
- From the Beginning
- Still… You Turn Me On
- Karn Evil 9 (co-written)
- I Believe in Father Christmas
Solo Career
Lake launched a solo career in the late 1970s. His best-known solo hit was “I Believe in Father Christmas”, which reached No. 2 in the UK in 1975. He released two studio albums:
- Greg Lake (1981)
- Manoeuvres (1983)
Death
Greg Lake died on 7 December 2016 in London after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 69 years old.
Legacy
Lake is remembered for:
- One of rock’s most distinctive voices.
- Founding two major progressive-rock bands (King Crimson and ELP).
- Combining classical influences with rock music.
- Writing enduring classics such as “Lucky Man”, a song he began composing when he was only 12 years old.
For many prog-rock fans, Manoeuvres is an underrated late-career album that captures Greg Lake’s attempt to adapt his songwriting and powerful voice to the polished rock sound of the early 1980s.