Rock legend Greg Lake dies after long battle with cancer
TRIBUTES poured in last night for British rock legend Greg Lake who has died, aged 69.
Lake rose to fame with King Crimson before forming the supergroup Emerson, Lake and Palmer.
In a message on the star’s website his manager Stewart Young said: “I lost my best friend to a long and stubborn battle with cancer.
“Greg Lake will stay in my heart forever as he has always been.”
Best known for his work as a bass player, singer and a founding father of progressive rock, Lake also wrote one of the most enduring festive hits I Believe In Father Christmas, which reached No 2 in the charts in 1975.
The news comes just nine months after ELP band-mate Keith Emerson died, aged 71.
Keyboard player Emerson died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, a US coroner said.
Last night the band’s drummer Carl Palmer said: “Having lost Keith this year as well has made this particularly hard for all of us.
“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 1970s and many memorable shows we performed together.
“His music can now live forever in the hearts of all who loved him.”
Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett paid tribute on Twitter, writing: “Music bows its head to acknowledge the passing of a great musician and singer, Greg Lake.”
Born in Poole, Dorset, in 1947, Lake is survived by wife of more than 40 years Regina and daughter Natasha.
He was given his first guitar at the age of 12 and took lessons from a local tutor called Don Strike. Lake formed a close friendship with fellow student Robert Fripp with who he created King Crimson in the late 1960s.
As the 1970s dawned ELP was formed, breaking barriers with their live theatrical performances featuring dazzling light shows and went on to sell more than 48 million records worldwide.
The band reunited for a one-off 40th anniversary concert in 2010 in London’s Victoria Park.
GREG LAKE Nov 10, 1947 – Dec 7, 2016