As reported, by his bandmate Carl Palmer, on the official Emerson, Lake & Palmer FB page, Keith Emerson, founding member of ELP, composer and keyboard virtuoso, passed away on March 11th, 2016 at the age of 71.
Santa Monica Police confirmed to Billboard that Keith Emerson died of a gunshot wound to the head and his death is being investigated as a suicide.
The official statement is as follows:
“We regret to announce that Keith Emerson died last night at his home in Santa Monica, Los Angeles, aged 71. We ask that the family’s privacy and grief be respected”.
Carl Palmer stated:
“I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of my good friend and brother-in-music, Keith Emerson. Keith was a gentle soul whose love for music and passion for his performance as a keyboard player will remain unmatched for many years to come. He was a pioneer and an innovator whose musical genius touched all of us in the worlds of rock, classical and jazz. I will always remember his warm smile, good sense of humor, compelling showmanship, and dedication to his musical craft. I am very lucky to have known him and to have made the music we did, together. Rest in peace, Keith. Carl Palmer - March 11, 2016”...
John Payne stated:
“As I sat at my computer just now to compose an email to my good friend Keith Emerson my phone rang to bring me the terrible news that Keith had passed. I am stunned. So very sad that we have lost yet another visionary talent. Asia and ELP's ties have always been very strong. Not only was he a great keyboard player but he was a great person and so much fun to be around. Many great times with a few beers and his wicked sense of humor. He was and always will be a pioneer and a teacher to all great keyboard players. My heart reaches out for you Mari. RIP Keith”.
Steve Lukather wrote:
“I am just so sad to hear of Keith Emerson leaving us. He was a genius one of a kind talent and a friend... RIP Keith”.
David Coverdale stated:
“Keith Emerson... A Lovely Man & An Amazing Musician... Our Loving Thoughts To His Family, Friends & Fans...XX”
Steve Hackett tweeted:
“I'm terribly sad to hear about the death of Keith Emerson. A genius of the keys and a lovely guy”.
Glenn Hughes stated:
“So very sad to hear the news that my brother Keith Emerson has passed away... A True gentleman and a commander of the keyboards - RIP Keith”...
Paul Stanley wrote:
“RIP Keith Emerson. I saw ELP as a teen. Emerson was swagger & daggers stabbing the Hammond. THAT was prog with an edge”.
Geoffrey Downes tweeted:
“Devastated to hear of the death of the greatest rock keyboardist ever, my dear friend Keith Emerson. A true genius and inspiration. RIP...”
John Wetton stated:
“So terribly sad to hear of Keith Emerson's passing. We were good friends for many years, and he was a gent, a genius - one of a kind. RIP”.
Neal Morse tweeted:
“We are all so sad to hear of the passing of the great Keith Emerson. One of my favorite artist/composers ever. Prayers for his family”.
Mike Portnoy wrote:
“Wow... I am absolutely stunned over hearing of Keith Emerson's passing. He was truly a Prog pioneer. This year's been absolutely devastating”.
Weblinks:
www.facebook.com/EmersonLakePalmer/
www.keithemerson.com
Santa Monica Police confirmed to Billboard that Keith Emerson died of a gunshot wound to the head and his death is being investigated as a suicide.
The official statement is as follows:
“We regret to announce that Keith Emerson died last night at his home in Santa Monica, Los Angeles, aged 71. We ask that the family’s privacy and grief be respected”.
Carl Palmer stated:
“I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of my good friend and brother-in-music, Keith Emerson. Keith was a gentle soul whose love for music and passion for his performance as a keyboard player will remain unmatched for many years to come. He was a pioneer and an innovator whose musical genius touched all of us in the worlds of rock, classical and jazz. I will always remember his warm smile, good sense of humor, compelling showmanship, and dedication to his musical craft. I am very lucky to have known him and to have made the music we did, together. Rest in peace, Keith. Carl Palmer - March 11, 2016”...
John Payne stated:
“As I sat at my computer just now to compose an email to my good friend Keith Emerson my phone rang to bring me the terrible news that Keith had passed. I am stunned. So very sad that we have lost yet another visionary talent. Asia and ELP's ties have always been very strong. Not only was he a great keyboard player but he was a great person and so much fun to be around. Many great times with a few beers and his wicked sense of humor. He was and always will be a pioneer and a teacher to all great keyboard players. My heart reaches out for you Mari. RIP Keith”.
Steve Lukather wrote:
“I am just so sad to hear of Keith Emerson leaving us. He was a genius one of a kind talent and a friend... RIP Keith”.
David Coverdale stated:
“Keith Emerson... A Lovely Man & An Amazing Musician... Our Loving Thoughts To His Family, Friends & Fans...XX”
Steve Hackett tweeted:
“I'm terribly sad to hear about the death of Keith Emerson. A genius of the keys and a lovely guy”.
Glenn Hughes stated:
“So very sad to hear the news that my brother Keith Emerson has passed away... A True gentleman and a commander of the keyboards - RIP Keith”...
Paul Stanley wrote:
“RIP Keith Emerson. I saw ELP as a teen. Emerson was swagger & daggers stabbing the Hammond. THAT was prog with an edge”.
Geoffrey Downes tweeted:
“Devastated to hear of the death of the greatest rock keyboardist ever, my dear friend Keith Emerson. A true genius and inspiration. RIP...”
John Wetton stated:
“So terribly sad to hear of Keith Emerson's passing. We were good friends for many years, and he was a gent, a genius - one of a kind. RIP”.
Neal Morse tweeted:
“We are all so sad to hear of the passing of the great Keith Emerson. One of my favorite artist/composers ever. Prayers for his family”.
Mike Portnoy wrote:
“Wow... I am absolutely stunned over hearing of Keith Emerson's passing. He was truly a Prog pioneer. This year's been absolutely devastating”.
Weblinks:
www.facebook.com/EmersonLakePalmer/
www.keithemerson.com