Legendary rocker, Keith Emerson of Emerson, Lake and Palmer, was found dead of a gunshot wound to the head at his home in Santa Monica California on Mar 10th, he was 71 yrs old. Santa Monica police are investigating it as a suicide. ELP rose to fame in the 1970s, they released a total of 9 studio albums, the first five of which hit the top 20 of the Billboard 200. The band’s 1970 self-titled debut is a prog-rock classic; the follow-up, 1971's Tarkus, solidified their popularity and distinctive sound – instrumentally complicated yet sonically cohesive prog-rock mixing classical structures, improvisational jazz and electronics. 1973’s Brain Salad Surgery is regarded by many fans as their finest work.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer broke up in 1979, with Emerson and Lake continuing on with a new drummer as Emerson, Lake & Powell. The original trio reunited in the early ‘90s to release two more albums
Prior to his success with the immensely popular and influential outfit, Emerson played with British band The Nice, melding rock music with classical and jazz influences. Emerson was classically trained as a child, and one of the most technically proficient keyboard players of his generation. He started experimenting with the Moog synthesizer after hearing the landmark 1968 LP Switched-On Bach. Emerson’s showmanship while performing on the Moog, Hammond organ or piano was one of the trio’s defining elements.
Rest in peace Keith.
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