The show might be entitled "Carl Palmer & His Band - Celebrates The Music of Emerson Lake & Palmer," but don't be fooled.

Much of the music you'll hear Monday night at The Warehouse in Springfield was recorded by the legendary '70s progressive rock trio, but it's not necessarily ELP originals. Much to the contrary, in fact.

"First of all, there are only three original ELP compositions: 'Tarkus,' 'Trilogy' and 'Tank,' " Palmer says while taking a break from rehearsals in England. "ELP recorded pieces by many of the classical composers, including 'Fanfare (for the Common Man),' 'Hoedown,' 'Enemy God' and 'Romeo and Juliet.'

"It wouldn't be an honest way to present it - to have a vocalist. In Europe, there's a big push for instrumental music."

Other pieces will include a Palmer composition, "Bullfrog," and a piece he wrote with Joe Walsh entitled "L.A. Nights." For the drummer/percussionist Palmer, it's a way of changing with the times while retaining his European roots.

"All the bands I've been in were completely different: from the psychedelic '60s of The Crazy World of Arthur Brown to the progressive rock of ELP to the corporate rock of Asia," he says. "The time, the characters, the industry, it was all different. Everything I've been in has been unique to the period."

This year, Palmer is again touring with a power trio that includes Paul Bielatowicz on guitar and Stuart Clayton on bass.

"I went to the Brighton School of Music and inquired about guitarists," Palmer says of how he found Bielatowicz. Clayton also came about through word-of-mouth and has written several books on bass guitar playing that are used at music schools in England.

"We've been all over Europe; Italy has really embraced us," Palmer says of the instrumental presentation. "It's been something the Europeans have latched onto."

For Emerson Lake & Palmer fans, the new presentations will definitely be different. Replacing the grandiose Keith Emerson keyboard pieces will be Bielatowicz's guitar work.

"This is a way to present it in a different way; to try and reinvent it," Palmer explains. "In Europe it's now called 'art rock' - it's not radio-conducive.

"We have 'fast food' music too, but we're more extremes here. There's a technology-based music, then there's the classical adaptations, and then you have those who want to be virtuosos on their instruments.

"It's incredibly diverse; you go two hours by plane and you're in a completely different culture. You have all these cultures mixed together."

It's that diversity that keeps Palmer's musical interests going. After living on Tenerife in the Canary Islands for almost 30 years, he moved back to London six years ago. However, after a couple of years he "got bored" and now lives on Cyprus in the Mediterranean. His penchant for diversity is also reflected in his personal music collection.

"I've been listening to a reissue of 'Hot Rats' by Frank Zappa," Palmer says, adding that other recent purchases include pieces by the Swedish National Orchestra and the Vienna Boys Choir.

"I like choir music," he says. "My tastes are very eclectic; I can find some goodness in most stuff."

Born into a musical family (his parents and grandparents were all musicians), Palmer was almost predestined to follow in their footsteps.

"It was a natural evolution; it was in the genes," he said with a laugh. "I started violin and quickly realized it wasn't for me, so then I switched to drums."

It doesn't appear, though, that the family tradition of performing musicians will be upheld. Although Palmer's 23-year-old daughter is an accomplished drummer and singer, he says she'll be entering law school to study forensic science.

Always a physical fitness buff, Palmer stays in shape these days by running and fencing, a sport he took up after years of karate took a toll on his body. Both his hands have been operated on for carpal tunnel syndrome, he has radial nerve damage spreading in his forearms as well as finger problems, all attributed to the more than 20 years he practiced and taught karate.

"I've been fencing for many years and won the bronze medal in Spain in the over-40 class. I'm very proud of that," he says of his current passion. "I still try and run four or five days a week and practice (drums) five days a week and take the weekends off.

"I try and take good care of myself."

For those longing the nostalgia of Palmer's tenure with Asia, the original members will reunite for an 18-date tour of America in September to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the group's formation. Palmer believes that "having a nostalgic period currently in America" made the time right for the original band to tour.

"It's quite a nostalgic time," he said. "All four of us had a notoriety before Asia, and there's been a lot of history since."

While he enjoys the diversity found on the European music scene, Palmer is quick to credit what's given him the life he lives today.

"I owe America everything," he says.

WHAT: "Carl Palmer & His Band - Celebrates the Music of Emerson Lake & Palmer."

WHERE: The Warehouse, 2548 S. First St., Springfield.

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Monday, June 12. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

PRICE: $25 general admission.

PHONE: 467-2882.

ON THE WEB: www.thewarehouse.us.com; www.carlpalmer.com.

OTHER: Palmer will meet and greet audience members after the show.

Special Projects Editor Ralf Pansch has been a fan of Carl Palmer's music for more than 30 years and can be reached at ralf.pansch@lee.net or 421-6983.