 By late 1969 , Emerson thought the Nice had progressed as far as it could musically , and was particularly dissatisfied with Jackson 's limited vocal style . He asked Jack Bruce and Yes ' Chris Squire about forming a new band , but both turned Emerson down . While on tour in the US with King Crimson , Emerson held a meeting with Stratton @-@ Smith and declared " the Nice had outlived its usefulness " . By the end of the year , Emerson and Crimson 's Greg Lake had decided to form a band together . The group carried on touring into 1970 , but sometime early in the year , Emerson told Jackson that he would be leaving the band . Matters were not helped by Immediate Records filing for bankruptcy ; the band later said they received no royalties from the label while an active group . 
