From bbc.com:

Greg Lake, who fronted both King Crimson and Emerson, Lake and Palmer, has died aged 69.

One of the founding fathers of progressive rock, the British musician is known for songs including In The Court Of The Crimson King and I Believe in Father Christmas.

He died on Tuesday after "a long and stubborn battle with cancer", said his manager.

The news comes nine months after Lake's band-mate Keith Emerson died.
Keyboardist Emerson died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, coroners in the US said.

Born in Bournemouth, Lake was given his first guitar at the age of 12 and took lessons from a local tutor called Don Strike. He formed a close friendship with fellow student Robert Fripp, with whom he formed King Crimson in 1969.

Their debut album In The Court Of The Crimson King, featuring songs including 21st Century Schizoid Man, set a standard for progressive rock and received a glowing, well-publicised testimonial from The Who's Pete Townshend. But their success was shortlived. Within a year, founding member Mike Giles quit and Lake refused to work with the band - although he stayed around long enough to sing on their critically-reviled second album, In The Wake Of Poseidon.

The singer and bassist was then approached by Emerson, who had supported King Crimson on a North American tour - and needed a singer for his new band.

Joined by Atomic Rooster drummer Carl Palmer, ELP made their live debut at the Guildhall, Plymouth, in 1970 - before a career-making performance at the Isle Of Wight Festival.

Unusually, the band combined heavy rock riffs with a classical influence, and scored hit albums with Pictures at an Exhibition, Trilogy, and Brain Salad Surgery - many of them produced by Lake himself.

Tarkus, released in 1971, featured an opening track lasting more than 20 minutes, inspired by the fictional Tarkus character - a half-tank, half-armadillo creature that would appear on stage at gigs.

Their ambitious light shows and on-stage theatrics were the epitome of 70s rock excess, and several punk acts cited ELP as one of the bands they were reacting against.

But the band sold more than 48 million records, and Lake continued to be an influential and popular touring musician even after the band wound down in the late 1970s.

"The greatest music is made for love, not for money," Lake is quoted as saying on his official website. "The early ELP albums were pioneering because there is no standing still; time is always moving forward."

http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-38251936

What a shitty year and taking another ELP member. Carl must be feeling a tad anxious.

Damn shame. One of the pillars of progressive rock from the 70's. RIP.

One of my all time favorites. I'm still int he process of getting into all the older King Crimson stuff since most of it was released before I started getting into progressive rock. By the time I was getting into it all real time, ELP was going strong. And unlike many ELP fans that are older than I am, I enjoyed those last few ELP albums.

Personally, one of the more impressive things I ever saw Lake do was cover for Wetton years ago during that Asia in Asia special. I'm probably biased as a fan of both modern ELP and Asia, but that was a pretty impressive performance.

I was lucky enough to catch them on tour here in Nashville. It was suppose to be a mega tour with a large orchestra thru some 30+ cities but due to cost they only did about 5-7 with the full orchestra behind them and Nashville was one of them.

I've got their box set which is outstanding and Greg, Keith and Carl were beyond their time as musicians and really didn't get the fame they were due...though Keith Emerson was looked upon as one of the best keyboard players out there along with Wakeman from Yes.

Lake was outstanding with Lucky Man, Father Christmas, Still...You Turn Me On and my favorite...C'est La vie....

....thanks for all Greg....hope you and Keith are rocking Heaven...

RIP. I'll be spinning "In the Court of the Crimson King" tonight.

If I was Palmer, I'd get a medic alert dongle and maybe a portable defib machine. This is definitely one of those dies in 3s that you don't want to be a part of.

Death already completed it's Emerson, Lake & Powell trilogy.

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chilling.

One of the all time great rock vocalists. I loved his work with KC and ELP.

Fuck. Fuck fuck fuck fuck... I can't 2016 anymore.

Outstanding musician...


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One of the best vocal will be missed.

Always felt he was the best part of whatever he was involved in. "From the Beginning" is one of my all time favorite songs. Sad. Really liked this guy.

"Welcome back my friends, to the show that never ends.."

The show's over.

Started to post the California Jam "Lucky Man" clip right after Lake died...glad Dom posted it above. Here are a few others that were considered:

1. "Still...You Turn Me On" (from same CA Jam venue...complete with Greg chewing gum madly between verses). Sublime.


2. "From the Beginning." 1992 Good Morning America. Not the best audio, but passionate performance.


3. "Lucky Man"...from King Biscuit Flower Hour with guest Gary Moore. Visuals from LOR trilogy.




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Do you see a man who excels in his work?
He will stand before kings;
He will not stand before unknown men. Proverbs 22:29

How can ELP not be in the Rock N Roll HOF?

... and now Wetton

The link from ELP to Asia has been made, and I guess it'll travel to Yes now.

Progressive Rock has turned into progressive death.

So true. RIP Wetton.