Greg Lake Has Died of Cancer

Bassist Greg Lake, an original member of King Crimson and Emerson, Lake & Palmer and later a member of Asia, died yesterday after battling cancer.

The news comes nine months after Lake's bandmate Keith Emerson died.  Guitarist Steve Hackett, an early member of Genesis, said "Music bows its head to acknowledge the passing of a great musician and singer, Greg Lake."

Rick Wakeman, elite keyboardist in Yes, said, "Another sad loss with the passing of Greg Lake...You left some great music with us my friend & so like Keith, you will live on."

Lake was born in Bournemouth, England and began playing guitar at age 12.  He co-founded King Crimson with friend Robert Fripp in 1969.

After the breakup of that group, Emerson, who had opened for King Crimson on a tour of North America, asked Greg to be a singer in his new band.  With drummer Carl Palmer, ELP debuted live at the Guildhall in Plymouth in 1970 and wowed fans at the Isle of Wight Festival.  

Emerson, Lake & Palmer were one of the leading exponents of progressive rock, with each of their first seven albums attaining Gold status in the United States.  They were one of the best live performing acts of the period, featuring an elaborate stage show.  ELP broke up in 1979 with Lake joining the group Asia briefly.

Lake was 69.