Very sad news, according to the ELP Facebook page:

Oh, God. Terrible.

The Internet is blowing up with the sudden news. Big loss for me. I absolutely love ELP and Keith. One of my Top Ten albums is Brain Salad Surgery and was lucky to see Keith play Westbury a few years ago with Greg. RIP

Carl Palmer posted:

I only saw him once, on the Emerson Lake & Powell tour in '86, and he was amazing. From The Nice to ELP to his solo work, he contributed so much to the music of the last half-century.

Very sad news. I've enjoyed a good deal of ELP music since the 1970s;.Thanks for all of that great music Keith.

RIP mate

Absolutely saddened by this

It's been an incredible few weeks with several of my heroes leaving us.

God, who's next?

Terrible news, that unfortunately is going to become more & more common, as many of our musical heroes are now in their 60's & 70's. Thankful to have had the opportunity to see ELP once, many years ago.

I'll be digging out some ELP later this evening to pay my respects.

R.I.P.

Very sad. An extremely talented musician. I was lucky enough to see ELP live a few times. The last time was with Deep Purple and Dream Theater at Jones Beach on DP's Total Abandon tour. They always put on a good show. R.I.P

Horrible news.

ELP are one of my favorites and I've seen them live 6 times.

Keith was a genius despite the critics hating ELP.

Awful to hear.

R.I.P.

RIP.

This is getting scary - like someone has it in for these guys.

Who's next?

Each year I am a member of a death pool (pick 10 names - enter fee - guy with the most "hits" win) next year I should enter just rockers from the 60's & 70's - if there are any left.

The last two guys standing will probably be Keith Richards and Jerry Lee Lewis...

Good lord, this is getting too common.

RIP, Keith.

One of my all time memories was seeing ELP in July 1977 at MSG during the Works tour with a full orchestra and choir. Keith did his famous attack the keyboards with knives and throw the huge thing almost into the audience. Just incredible.

I never got to see them.

I saw ELP once, in 1977 (or 78?) at New Haven Coliseum.

News reports are saying it appears to be suicide.

http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-35787187

RIP Keith

My cousin texted me this afternoon with the news. Stunned.

This is one of the most saddest days of my life. We all knew of the nerve damage that he has been suffering for quite awhile now but depression about this and or anything else of private matter would weigh on him so that he couldn't continue living.

With the ELP catalogue being reintroduced this year with some supposed excellent finds and his film documentary making excellent progress this comes as shock & disbelief.

I know Greg Lake is not doing well either, Emerson was quoted in the Chris Squire issue that Greg was not returning his phone calls which had Emerson extremely concerned. I thought he would be the first to leave us.

I have seen ELP 15 times, saw the "Works" orchestra tour at MSG that John attended (probably there at the same time). Hearing & seeing the "Brain Salad Surgery" tour in Quad at MSG IS the highlight of my concert days.

Even got to meet Mr. Keith Emerson when he performed with "3" at Adventure Island - Busch Gardens in Tampa. He was so funny, not realizing this "Best of Keith Emerson" import lp on the Chord's label was not sanctioned to be sold, that's the one I present him to sign. He saw how mad I got when I discovered that embarrassment but he simply smiled as he put his hand on my shoulder, said it was OK and still autographed it for me.

Had E-Mail correspondence with him years later when Will Alexander, their sound and roadie offered one of his Moogs on EBay without permission.
Of course I immediately bid on it but it was quickly withdrawn. I was contacted about the nature of the bid and what I could recall about the dialogue w/Alexander.

It's this simple, I would have never became a keyboard player if it wasn't for him, never bought a Hammond B-3 and Moog without him providing me the dreams and opportunities to be a musician.

My heart is broken and a major piece of me died today.

I love you Keith Emerson and your gift(s) would always be cherished.

Rick A.

Another crushing loss of one of our music heroes. May he rest in peace.

Pretty sure John and I were at the same MSG show, years before we met. And Rick was there too--we will shake hands in person one day, my friend. Moving tribute you shared with us.

this has to end for a while....please.

very sad.