King Crimson’s Greg Lake dies aged 69

The British musician was also behind festive hit I Believe in Father Christmas

Influential prog rock musician Greg Lake has died aged 69

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Ben Travis

8 December 2016

British musician Greg Lake has died aged 69.

The singer and guitarist was best known as a member of King Crimson and Emerson, Lake & Palmer.

He passed away on Wednesday December 7 of cancer.

Lake sang lead vocals on King Crimson’s seminal 1969 album In the Court of the Crimson King, and is hailed as a key influential figure in prog rock.

He is also known for his festive hit I Believe in Father Christmas, first released in 1975.

The news was announced on Lake's official website in a message from his manager Stewart Young.

Greg Lake - In pictures

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"Yesterday, December 7th, I lost my best friend to a long stubborn battle with cancer," he wrote.

"Greg Lake will stay in my heart forever, as he has always been. His family would be grateful for privacy during this time of their grief."

Lake was a school friend of King Crimson guitarist Robert Fripp and was a founding member of the group, playing bass and singing on their first two albums, but swiftly left the band.

He then launched Emerson, Lake & Palmer with Keith Emerson and Carl Palmer in 1970,

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Greg Lake

King Crimson

King Crimson’s Greg Lake dies aged 69

Greg Lake - In pictures

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