Keith Emerson, an innovative keyboardist with the 1970s supergroup Emerson, Lake & Palmer, was found dead at his Santa Monica home of a shotgun wound to the head that was apparently self-inflicted, police said.
Emerson, 71, was found by his longtime girlfriend about 1:45 a.m. Friday, in the 400 block of Marine Street, said Santa Monica police Sgt. Erika Aklusi.
He was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Aklusi, who said a firearm was recovered. Why Emerson took his own life was unknown at this point.
Bandmate Carl Palmer said he was “deeply saddened” at the death of his “brother-in-music.”
“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,” Palmer said. “He was a pioneer and an innovator whose musical genius touched all of us in the worlds of rock, classical and jazz.”
Services have not been announced.
