Keith Emerson (1944-2016), Brilliant Keyboardist and Founding Member of Emerson, Lake and Palmer

Keith Emerson, the brilliantly passionate keyboardist who first incorporated Moog synthesizers into live shows, composer and founding member of the iconic progressive-rock band Emerson, Lake and Palmer, passed away at his home in Santa Monica, California on March 11, 2016. He was 71 years old.

Bandmate Carl Palmer made a beautiful statement about his longtime friend.

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. 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.

Remembering #KeithEmerson, a man whose fingerprints are on the very DNA of electronic synthesized sound. pic.twitter.com/ZqsdYq8j0a

— Moog Music Inc. (@moogmusicinc) March 11, 2016

Emerson had recently been working with producer Jason Woodford to raise funds through Indiegogo in order to turn his 2003 autobiography Pictures of an Exhibitionist into a film.

Rest in Peace Keith. Thank you for being so kind to a young writer on Long Island in 1990. The world will miss you very much.