Emerson, Lake & Palmer singer Greg Lake dies

Rock superstar Greg Lake, founder of King Crimson and Emerson, Lake & Palmer, has died from cancer at the age of 69.

The news was confirmed on Lake's official Twitter account by Emerson, Lake & Palmer's longtime manager Stewart Young.

"Yesterday, December 7th, I lost my best friend to a long and stubborn battle with cancer," he wrote.

"Greg Lake will stay in my heart forever, as he has always been. His family would be grateful for privacy during this time of their grief."

Lake is considered one of the founding fathers of progressive rock, creating 1960s rock band King Crimson.

He subsequently teamed up with Keith Emerson and Carl Palmer to form the progressive rock supergroup Emerson, Lake & Palmer.

The influential trio released nine studio albums between 1970 and 1994.

"Very sad about Greg Lake," said Yes keyboardist Geoff Downes.

"I had the privilege of working with him on several projects. His great talent will be sorely missed by all.

"Another genius has passed away. 2016 has truly been an annus horribilis in musical history."