Keith Emerson of Emerson, Lake and Palmer dies at 71

NEW YORK >> Keith Emerson, the keyboardist and founding member of the 1970s progressive rock group Emerson, Lake and Palmer, died Thursday at home in Santa Monica, Califoia. He was 71.

The death was aounced on Emerson, Lake and Palmer’s verified Facebook page Friday. No further details were provided.

• VIDEO: Emerson, Lake and Palmer live in 1974

“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 retued.

Emerson, Lake and Palmer included vocalist/bassist Greg Lake and drummer Carl Palmer.

Palmer said in a statement that he was “deeply saddened to lea of the passing of my good friend and brother-in-music.”

• PHOTOS: Keith Emerson of Emerson, Lake and Palmer dies at 71

Emerson was bo on Nov. 2, 1944 in England. He formed Emerson, Lake and Palmer in 1970, when the band debuted at the Isle of Wight Festival.

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