Emerson, Lake & Palmer Keyboardist Keith Emerson Dead At 71, Music Mourns

It has been a tough 2016 for the music industry, especially for rock n roll. Some of the legends of the genre have been dying at a rate that won't let the tears dry up for many who grew up listening to these men as their heroes. Today the band revealed that Keith Emerson, keyboardist and co-founder of 1970's rock supergroup Emerson, Lake & Palmer and The Nice died yesterday on March 10. He was 71.

"We regret to announce that Keith Emerson died last night at his home in Santa Monica, Los Angeles, aged 71," the group in a statement on their Facebook page. "We ask that the family's privacy and grief be respected."

His brother in music and fellow band member Carl Palmer released a statement on his website.

"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" said Palmer. "He was a pioneer and an innovator whose musical genius touched all of us in the worlds of rock, classical and jazz. I will always remember his warm smile, good sense of humor, compelling showmanship, and dedication to his musical craft. I am very lucky to have known him and to have made the music we did, together. Rest in peace, Keith."

The British group formed in 1970 and released 9 albums over their distinguished career, which included several extended hiatuses over the decades. They officially broke up in 1979, but reformed in the early '90s and released two more albums.

Their 1971 album Tarkus helped to create the ELP sound, which combined rock, electronics and jazz into their arrangements. This culminated in their 1973 album Brain Salad Surgery, which is widely regarded as the band's best LP.

With the news breaking recently, artists and fans have been mourning for yet another fallen legend of the glory days of rock n roll.