Greg Lake 1947- 2016

It wasn’t simply Greg Lake’s booming voice that enshrined him among the greatest rock singers of all time.

It was his authority, his ability to play a supporting role in the bands he was a part of, while still maintaining an undeniable presence that placed him front and center no matter what. Although he first came to prominence on that first groundbreaking album by prog rock pioneers King Crimson, his name became forever entwined with those of the supergroup he shared with Keith Emerson and Carl Palmer—Emerson, Lake & Palmer. Lake passed away at the beginning of this month, but his a formidable presence remains in his music. 

That powerful voice will certainly be missed and we’ve compiled 10 of his best songs to honor that spirit.

“Affairs of the Heart”

From: ‘Black Moon’ (1992)

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“Affairs of the Heart”

From: ‘Black Moon’ (1992)

Read More: Top 10 Greg Lake Songs | http://ultimateclassicrock.com/greg-lake-songs/?trackback=fbshare_mobile_top&trackback=tsmclip

“Affairs of the Heart”

From: ‘Black Moon’ (1992)

Read More: Top 10 Greg Lake Songs | http://ultimateclassicrock.com/greg-lake-songs/?trackback=fbshare_mobile_top&trackback=tsmclip

10

“Affairs of the Heart”

From: ‘Black Moon’ (1992)

 

Emerson, Lake and Palmer

Read More: Top 10 Greg Lake Songs | http://ultimateclassicrock.com/greg-lake-songs/?trackback=fbshare_mobile_top&trackback=tsmclip

Affairs of the Heart - Emerson, Lake & Palmer /
From: ‘Black Moon’ (1992)

“Love You Too Much”

From: ‘Greg Lake’ (1981)

Read More: Top 10 Greg Lake Songs | http://ultimateclassicrock.com/greg-lake-songs/?trackback=fbshare_mobile_top&trackback=tsmclip

 

Love you too much -From Greg Lake (1981)

The Only Way (Hymn) And Infinite Space From: ‘Tarkus’ (1971)Emerson, Lake and Palmer

Emerson, Lake and Powell - Touch and Go /Music by Keith Emerson/Lyrics by Greg Lake

Karn Evil 9 - Emerson, Lake & Palmer /Epic track by Emerson, Lake & Palmer taken from their 1973 album "Brain Salad Surgery'

FROM THE BEGINNING - Emerson, Lake & Palmer 

King Crimson, '21st Century Schizoid Man' live in Hyde Park, 1969

 

Greg Lake, guitarist with King Crimson and Emerson, Lake & Palmer, died Wednesday (December 7th, 2017) of cancer at the age of 69... Born in Poole, Dorset, England, he learned to play guitar at age 12 and, in 1969, formed King Crimson with his friend Roger Fripp. The group shot to fame with their classic album, “In The Court Of The Crimson King”, but Greg was gone after their second album (“In The Wake Of Poseidon”) a year later, having been approached by Keith Emerson to form ELP with Carl Palmer. Though primarily an album-oriented band (including the classics “Pictures At An Exhibition” and “Brain Salad Surgery”), they charted four times on the singles charts, as well, with staples like "Lucky Man" (#48-1971  and "From The Beginning" (#39-1972)— with Greg producing most of their material. The group broke up in 1979 (having sold a reported 49 million records and earning 7 gold records) though Greg and Keith re-formed ELP with Cozy Powell in 2010. Greg is also remembered for his anti-Christmas tune “I Believe In Father Christmas” (#95) in 1975... May he R.I.P.