Keith Emerson of Emerson, Lake and Palmer, dies at 71

Keith Emerson, the keyboardist and founding member of the 1970s progressive rock group Emerson, Lake and Palmer, died Thursday at home in Santa Monica, California. He was 71.

The death was announced on Emerson, Lake and Palmer's verified Facebook page Friday. No further details were provided.

"We ask that the family's privacy and grief be respected," the post read. An email to the band's management company wasn't immediately returned.

Emerson, Lake and Palmer included vocalist/bassist Greg Lake and drummer Carl Palmer.

Palmer said in a statement that he was "deeply saddened to learn of the passing of my good friend and brother-in-music."

Emerson was born on Nov. 2, 1944, in England. He formed Emerson, Lake and Palmer in 1970, when the band debuted at the Isle of Wight Festival.