GREG LAKE OF EMERSON, LAKE, & PALMER DEAD AT 69

One of prog's most legendary and beloved musicians, Emerson, Lake, & Palmer's bassist/guitarist/singer/songwriter/producer Greg Lake has died at age 69 following a long bout with cancer, according to Vintage Vinyl News. Lake first made his bones along with good friend R obert Fripp in the first lineup of King Crimson and opened for the Rolling Stones at their July 5th, 1969 Hyde Park concert. Lake quickly teamed up with Keith Emerson from the Nice and Carl Palmer from Crazy World Of Arthur Brown and Atomic Rooster, the trio snagged a deal; with Atlantic Records and helped define the sound of the 1970's. Carl Palmer issued a statement saying: "It is with great sadness that I must now say goodbye to my friend and fellow band-mate, Greg Lake. Greg’s soaring voice and skill as a musician will be remembered by all who knew his music and recordings he made with ELP and King Crimson. I have fond memories of those great years we had in the 1970's and many memorable shows we performed together. Having lost Keith this year as well, has made this particularly hard for all of us. As Greg sang at the end of Pictures At An Exhibition , 'death is life.' His music can now live forever in the hearts of all who loved him." Fans are particularly in shock, following Keith Emerson's suicide at age 71, on March 10th from a single gunshot wound to his head. Emerson's girlfriend Mari Kawaguchi revealed that the musician killed himself in fear of letting fans down on and upcoming tour of Japan, due to his diminished capabilities from nerve damage.

• ELP formed in 1970 and became superstars with such watershed early releases as their 1970 self-titled debut, 1971's Tarkus, and 1973's Brain Salad Surgery -- all of which combined commercial melodies with grandiose orchestral and jazz-based influences from Emerson, whose keyboard work on Moog, Hammond B-3 organ, along with various synthesizers, electric and acoustic pianos forever changed the course of prog forever.
  
• ELP's first five albums hit the Top 20 on the Billboard 200, with the band scoring such chart hits and radio staples as "From The Beginning," "Lucky Man," "Karn Evil 9."
  
• Following the band's initial split in 1979, Emerson went on to such varied works as composing the score to Sylvester Stallone's 1981 thriller Nighthawks, Lake briefly replaced John Wetton in Asia, before reuniting with Emerson for 1986's Emerson Lake & Powell studio set featuring Cozy Powell deputizing for Carl Palmer, who was tied up with work with Asia. Lake also toured as part of Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band. Lake also provided bass for the Who's first studio track following John Entwistle's death -- 2004's "Real Good Looking Boy."
  
• Emerson, Lake, & Palmer reformed in 1992 for the Black Moon album, its 1994 followup, In The Hot Seat, and last toured in 2010.
  
• In a candid moment, Greg Lake revealed that ELP's music meant just as much to him as it did to the band's legions of fans: "We did at least have some degree of originality. I cannot separate it from memories, y'know, they are part of my life, they are part of our fans life and now we come to play on tour with them. I think the most powerful feeling is that you can feel people's lives when you play 'Lucky Man.' Somebody will say, 'I remember what I was doing when I first heard it."
  FRIENDS REMEMBER GREG LAKE
  
• The Who: "Our condolences to the family and close friends of Greg Lake who has passed away from cancer, aged 69. Greg played bass and guitar in King Crimson before fronting super group Emerson Lake & Palmer. In 2003 Greg played bass on The Who's single 'Real Good-Looking Boy', released in May 2004. R.I.P. Gregory Stuart 'Greg' Lake, 10 November 1947 – 7 December 2016."
  
• Ian Anderson: "So sorry to hear of the passing of the Great Gregorio. I thought of him only last night here in the big church in Reykjavik where I am for a couple of Christmas concerts. Of course Greg gave of his time and generous spirit to guest with us at Canterbury and Salisbury Cathedrals a few years ago for fund raising on behalf of those grand buildings which we both loved. Of course, we played his I Believe In Father Christmas song which will doubtless receive much deserved play in the next two weeks in fond memory of one of rock's elder statesmen who brought to us his passion and musicality over his long career. God bless, Greg. Thinking of you tonight. Ian Anderson"
  
• Steve Hackett: "Greg Lake was a stunningly powerful presence on stage the first time I saw him live at London's Marquee singing with King Crimson in 1969. He had a beautiful voice and was a riveting player on both bass and six string acoustic. We only met once, but he greeted me warmly and it was wonderful to congratulate him for all he'd achieved over the years. He had a huge impact on music. He certainly was an influence on Genesis. It's so close on the heels of the passing of Keith Emerson. My thoughts go out to Carl Palmer, friends and family. He will be deeply missed by us all. The world of music bows its head to acknowledge the passing of one of the greats. Warmest wishes to everyone, Steve"
  
• Tony Iommi: "So sorry to hear of Greg Lake’s passing, a real legend."
  
• Steve Lukather: "RIP Greg Lake. It was an honor working with him on his solo stuff. This has been a tragic year..."
  
• Scorpions: "And now Greg Lake ... too many Icons leaving us way too early .... RIP Lucky Man"
  
• Yes: "Very sad to hear of the passing of our friend, the legendary Greg Lake. Our thoughts and condolences are with Regina & Natasha and all the family - YES"