Keith Emerson, 71
NEW YORK (AP) — Keith Emerson, the keyboardist and founding member of the 1970s progressive rock group Emerson, Lake and Palmer, died Thursday at home in Santa Monica, California. He was 71.
The death was announced on Emerson, Lake and Palmer’s official Facebook page on Friday. No further details were provided.
“We ask that the family’s privacy and grief be respected,” the post read.
An email to the band’s management company wasn’t immediately returned.
Emerson was born on Nov. 2, 1944 in England. He formed Emerson, Lake and Palmer in 1970, when the band debuted at the Isle of Wight Festival.
In addition to Emerson, ELP included vocalist and bassist Greg Lake and drummer Carl Palmer.
One of the leading rock “supergroups” of the 1970s – Emerson had previously been in The Nice, while Lake had been a founding member of King Crimson and Palmer was a member of The Crazy World of Arthur Brown – the band quickly rose to stardom with progrock albums such as “Brain Salad Surgery” and “Tarkus,” and elaborate live shows that at one time included a full orchestra.
Palmer said in a statement Friday that he was “deeply saddened to learn of the passing of my good friend and brother-in-music.”
— Managing Editor Rod Harmon contributed to this report.
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