Greg Lake remembered

Singer-bassist Greg Lake

Can 2016 get any worse in terms of legendary musicians lost? Today comes sad word that Greg Lake, the famed English musician recognized for his work with progressive rock troupes King Crimson and Emerson, Lake & Palmer (ELP) has died. He was only 69.

Greg Lake performing in England in 2005.

According to news reports, he died on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016 after a long-time battle with cancer. His death came nine months after the death of his bandmate Keith Emerson in March 2016.

Lake had been a leader on the prog-rock scene since he co-founded King Crimson with guitarist Robert Fripp in 1968. Lake played bass and was lead singer of that band. After he left King Crimson, Lake and the other members of ELP released a number of seminal albums including Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Trilogy, Tarkus and Brain Salad Surgery.

He also achieved fame as a solo artist, and scored a timeless hit with his original "I Believe In Father Christmas." Watch the embedded video below:



Drummer Carl Palmer posted the following statement about his bandmate earlier today:

"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 made with ELP and King Crimson. I have fond memories of those great years we had in the 19770s and many memorable shows we performed together.

"Having lost Keith this year as well, had 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 harts of all who loved him."


Robert Kinsler