RIP Keith Emerson - Progressive Rock Music Forum

This news is like a punch to the gut. Really sad news.

some honorable words from David Paich https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1190580930966909&id=114208968604116

So important, influential, and genuine. Sad news. RIP.

rip, legend, greatest of them all sadness

Ivan_Melgar_M wrote:

He was very depressed, he had two hand surgeries but the pain was extremely hard, he should had stopped long ago, but he wasn't ready to leave his passion for the music.

Not aware of his recent hand surgeries, but in the 90's Keith was diagnosed with ulnar neuropathy (I know it very well because I experienced the same injury at about he same time). Ulnar neuropathy causes tingling and numbness especially in the ring and little finger and if not corrected can lead to debilitating weakness and loss of motor control.

Rather than a conservative "cubital tunnel release" which attempts to take the pressure off the nerve by opening up the nerve channel and removing a small portion of the surrounding soft tissue, Keith underwent a very aggressive procedure called a nerve transposition. In that approach, the "funny bone" nerve is moved from the outside of the elbow around to the top of the arm. The thought is by relocating the nerve you completely remove it from the cubital tunnel to fix the problem...unfortunately, this in essence moves your "funny bone" from your elbow to the top of your forearm and has a very small percentage of success.

When my surgeon was recommending a cubital tunnel release, we discussed the nerve transposition option. I'll never forget his words, "I'm not a religious man, but I believe God put your ulnar nerve across your elbow for a good reason and I don't recommend moving it." My surgery was completely unsuccessful, but luckily a couple years later I found a DO (Osteopath) who was able to reduce the symptoms to a manageable level without surgery.

I've always wondered if Keith's nerve transposition surgery (or any other recent ones I'm not aware of) actually helped or just caused more problems? The thought of being able to play like Keith, but not physically able to do so would drive anyone to despair.

Mutiny in Jonestown : Progressive Rock Since 1987

Immediately thought of this forum and how very many of us admired Keith and his musical skills - his genius!

This has been a very big shock for me personally, as I have always been a fan and admired him greatly. Now "they" are saying he committed suicide!. If this is confirmed, it will not lessen the sadness that I feel for the man and his music. As with the passing of David Bowie, this has been a defining and tragic start to 2016 as these ageing rockers succumb to mortality!

R.I.P. Keith Cry

"Music is the Wine that fills the cup of Silence"
- Robert Fripp

Anyone know if the colon cancer had returned ?

"Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought." -- John F. Kennedy

An incalculable loss for all music. It was Keith who ushered in not only progressive psychedelia as marketable pop music, but also gave us Tarkus. What more could one ask.

If you took your own life Keith, we understand, forgive, and love you.

Farewell, old friend.

"Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought." -- John F. Kennedy

I just don't want to believe that he killed himself, isn't possible..., Trilogy helped me in very dark times in my life, why don't helped him too? Cry

What have you done Keith?!

oooh Keith, what have you done?