Story highlights Lake, 69, died after "long and stubborn battle with cancer"

Musician was founding member of King Crimson, ELP

(CNN) Musician Greg Lake, a founding member of influential progressive rock group Emerson, Lake & Palmer, has died, according to his manager.

"I lost my best friend to a long and stubborn battle with cancer," manager Stewart Young posted on the musician's website . Lake died on December 7. He was 69 years old.

His death follows that of band member Keith Emerson, who died at the age of 71 in March of 2016. Emerson's death was ruled a suicide . The keyboardist had suffered from heart disease and depression, according to a Los Angeles County Coroner's report.

Greg Lake, left, with bandmates Keith Emerson, center, and Carl Palmer in 1972.

The lone surviving member of ELP, drummer Carl Palmer, confirmed the death of his band mate.

"It is with great sadness that I must now say goodbye to my friend and fellow band-mate, Greg Lake," Palmer wrote on his website

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