Keith Emerson Dead: Progressive Rock Keyboardist, Dies At 71

Keith Emerson, exemplary keyboardist of the progressive rock band, Emerson, Lake and Palmer (ELP) passed away this week at 71 years old in his Santa Monica, California home.

In the band's Facebook page via The Guardian, the musician's death was formally announced with a post saying, "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."

Police officers, particularly Sergeant Rudy Camarena, declared that suicide was the cause of the musician's death as evident in the fatal gunshot on his head.

The exact motive behind his suicide is not known yet but TMZ gets hold of info that Emerson is currently suffering from a serious medical problem, a degenerative nerve issue in his right hand, which hindered him to play the keyboard.

Since the illness began, the keyboardist can only play the instrument using his eight fingers. The degenerative disease is said to have made the rocker depressed as he knows for sure the disease will get worse.

Emerson was found dead by his girlfriend, Mari Kawaguchi in the early hours of Friday, BBC said.

Considered one of the greatest progressive rock bands of all time, Emerson, Lake and Palmer is composed of Keith Emerson, Greg Lake and Carl Palmer who is the first to explore the musical capabilities of the synthesizer in their performances. The 70s band got also famous with shows made more spectacular with' flying pianos, fireworks and giant armadillos firing polystyrene "snow", The Telegraph said.

In these shows, Emerson will take the stage with its virtuoso playing of the keyboardist with some critics saying his keyboard style is like 'pummelling Bach half to death' and a 'revenge for those of us who had endured years of compulsory piano lessons.'

In his message, Carl Palmer expressed his sadness over the passing of Emerson whom he considered as 'a gentle soul' and his performance 'unmatched.'

"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. I will always remember his warm smile, good sense of humour, compelling showmanship, and dedication to his musical craft," he said.