Greg Lake dies aged 69: music stars react and pay tribute
King Crimson and Emerson, Lake and Palmer star was suffering from cancer
King Crimson and Emerson, Lake and Palmer's Greg Lake has died aged 69.
The singer, guitarist and bassist passed away following "a long and stubborn battle with cancer", said his manager.
Lake served as the bass player and vocalist for King Crimson on seminal 1969 album In The Court Of The Crimson King, before founding Emerson, Lake and Palmer the following year.
The news comes after Lake's bandmate, Keith Emerson, passed away in March this year.
Tributes have already been coming in for the musician via social media - we've shared a brief selection below.
"Music bows its head to acknowledge the passing of a great musician and singer, Greg Lake."
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"Very sad to hear of the passing of our friend legendary Greg Lake Our thoughts & condolences are with Regina & Natasha & all the family - YES"
"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."
"And now, I'm so sad to hear of the passing of a musical giant in my genre. Yesterday, my dear friend Greg Lake died from cancer. RIP."
John Wetton (King Crimson, Asia, U.K.)
"Very sad news about Greg Lake. I had the privilege of working with him on several projects. His great talent will be sorely missed by all."
Geoffrey Downes (The Buggles, Yes, Asia)
"Well, I just read the that Greg Lake has passed away and it's both devastating and shocking news. I can't even begin to describe how much of an influence his music was/is to me. He was a pivotal figure in both King Crimson AND Emerson, Lake & Palmer! That's some track record!
"On many occasions people have told me my voice sometimes sounds like him, which is a compliment beyond comprehension. I can't take it in of course, it's just too much. For years we have been talking about covering Cat Food off the second Crimson album, In The Wake Of Poseidon, but it's never materialised. Perhaps now there's an incitement to do so. As a tribute if nothing else. He was great. A giant in the progressive rock scene, and he will be sorely missed."
Mike has been Editor-in-Chief of GuitarWorld.com since 2019, and an offset fiend and recovering pedal addict for far longer. He has a master's degree in journalism from Cardiff University, and 15 years' experience writing and editing for guitar publications including MusicRadar, Total Guitar and Guitarist, as well as 20 years of recording and live experience in original and function bands. During his career, he has interviewed the likes of John Frusciante, Chris Cornell, Tom Morello, Matt Bellamy, Kirk Hammett, Jerry Cantrell, Joe Satriani, Tom DeLonge, Radiohead's Ed O'Brien, Polyphia, Tosin Abasi, Yvette Young and many more. His writing also appears in the The Cambridge Companion to the Electric Guitar. In his free time, you'll find him making progressive instrumental rock as Maebe.
