Greg Lake, the frontman for King Crimson and Emerson, Lake and Palmer, has passed away. He died on Wednesday, December 7, 2016 after a long battle with cancer, according to his manager. He was 69 years old.

Lake was born in Bournemouth and started playing guitar when he was 12 years old. He became friends with Robert Fripp and the two would form King Crimson in 1969. Their debut, Court of the Crimson King, became a standard for progressive rock, with songs like “21st Century Schizoid Man.”

Their success did not last long when founding member Mike Giles quit within a year and Lake refused to work with the band. Then Emerson sought Lake to be the singer for his new band and they were joined by drummer Carl Palmer. Emerson, Lake and Palmer made their live debut in 1970 at Guildhall in Plymouth then had their career making performance at the Isle of Wight Festival.

They were classically influenced with heavy rock riffs. Their hit albums included Pictures at an Exhibition, Trilogy, and Brain Salad Surgery, some of which were produced by Lake. They also had memorable light shows and theatrical performances.

After the band’s popularity waned in the late 1970s, Lake continued to be a popular, influential musician.