According to Rolling Stone, “Keith Emerson, founding member and keyboardist of Emerson, Lake and Palmer and a prog rock legend, died Friday. He was 71. His bandmate Carl Palmer and the trio’s official Facebook confirmed Emerson’s death. TMZ reported that police found Emerson with a single gunshot wound to the head, though they could not confirm that Emerson died by suicide.”

Thus far, 2016 is turning out to be an annus horribilis for classic rock. Though never a big fan of Emerson, Lake & Palmer, as a prog rock fan I did recognise ELP’s significance in the scheme of things.

Emerson himself was a pioneer of the synthesizer – one of the first rock musicians to utilise the electronic instrument actively live and in recordings. Along with Rick Wakeman (Yes) and Tony Banks (Genesis), Emerson helped defined the keyboard sound in prog rock.

Rest in peace.