Greg Lake, frontman of King Crimson and Emerson, Lake & Palmer, has died at the age of 69.

The legendary music veteran was renowned as one of the forefathers of prog-rock, made famous for his string of adventurous albums and tracks such as ‘Court of the Crimson King’ and ’21st Century Schizoid Man’

Now, his manager has reported that he passed away this week following “a long and stubborn battle with cancer”.


Writing on Facebook, Stewart Young said: “Yesterday, December 7th, I lost my best friend to a long and stubborn battle with cancer. Greg Lake will stay in my heart for ever, as he has always been. His family would be grateful for privacy during this time of their grief.”

Yesterday, December 7th, I lost my best friend to a long and stubborn battle with cancer. Greg Lake will stay in my… Posted by Greg Lake on Thursday, December 8, 2016

The music world has paid tribute:

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. — Rick Wakeman (@GrumpyOldRick) December 8, 2016

Music bows its head to acknowledge the passing of a great musician and singer, Greg Lake. — Steve Hackett (@HackettOfficial) December 8, 2016


https://twitter.com/arkangel2605/status/806826858763485184

RIP Greg Lake — maryanne hobbs (@maryannehobbs) December 8, 2016

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUn31BPHbPA

This comes after his bandmate Keith Emerson committed suicide earlier this year.

“It’s very difficult to describe what depression is,” said Lake of his friend’s battle with his demons. “We all know what it looks like. People’s moods become very black. But it’s more complicated. It changes someone’s personality. “He lived, in the end, this very lonely existence of someone who was deeply troubled. I saw someone who became increasingly confused, desperate and depressed.” Lake also disputed Emerson’s girlfriend, who suggested that a recent physical setback could have been behind the suicide. “I’m sure that was a component — but a lot of people are given bad news like that, and you don’t take your life because of it,” he said. “If anyone does have feelings of being so desperate that they think it’s better off not to wake up tomorrow, please talk to somebody. The doctor, your friend, anybody. “Talk to them and tell them what state you’re in. If Keith had taken that path, he might still be here today.”