Death of Keith Emerson of Emerson, Lake & Palmer, a bullet in the head – Le Figaro

DISAPPEARANCE – The keyboardist of the British progressive rock band, a pioneer in his field, was found unconscious in his home. His death, at the age of 71, is being investigated for “suicide”.

The synthesizers of Emerson, Lake and Palmer no longer emit sound. Keith Emerson, keyboardist of the British progressive rock band, was found dead Friday, March 10 at his home in Santa Monica (near Los Angeles), said local police. He was 71 years old.

The musician, recognized as one of the synthesizer pioneer in rock music, died of a gunshot to the head. The authorities are currently working on the track of “suicide” and an investigation was opened to determine the exact causes of his death. That’s his girlfriend, Mari Kawaguchi, who called the police.

On his Twitter account and on its official website, his partner Carl Emerson, drummer of training, expressed his pain. “Keith was a noble soul whose love of music and passion for the keyboard performance will remain unsurpassed for many years, he wrote. I will always remember his warm smile, his great sense of humor, his irresistible showmanship and dedication to music. “

At the forefront of progressive rock

Inspired by the acting exuberant Jimi Hendrix with his electric guitar, Emerson, with his long hair forever, was a spectacle in itself in concert one day attacking his keyboard with a knife or playing of organ upside down, the instrument suspended over his head.

Keith Emerson was born in 1944 in Tordmorden the center of the UK, and has learned from childhood to play the piano . First versed in classical music, exploring the possibilities of the Hammond organ – he bought his first model at the age of 15-16 years – has opened other doors. In 1963, he founded his first band, Keith Emerson Trio, a jazz band, and The Nice, at the end of annéess 1960, known for its blend of psychedelic rock, jazz and music and already heralding the progressive rock .

Consecration with Emerson, Lake & Palmer

then it is with Greg Lake, bassist of King Crimson crossed at several concerts, and Carl Palmer, drummer Atomic Rooster, Keith Emerson reached consecration. Soberly named Emerson, Lake & Palmer, their new group caused a sensation at the Isle of Wight festival in 1970. Within this training, Keith Emerson has further innovated by integrating a Moog Modular synthesizer from his keyboards.

The group dissolved in 1978 however, and Keith Emerson is then directed to film music, composing soundtracks for Dario Argento ( Inferno ) or Bruce Malmuth ( the Nighthawks ). In 1984 he released his first solo album, Honky . In the 1990s, he also participated in the meeting of Emerson Lake and Palmer, as well as that of the group The Nice. In recent years, however, he was again turned to his solo career. In April, he had also planned a tour in Japan …