Keith Emerson Died Because He Thought He Could No Longer Play Music - Noise11.com
Keith Emerson

Keith Emerson

Keith Emerson Died Because He Thought He Could No Longer Play Music

by Roger Wink, VVN Music on March 15, 2016

in News

The shock the music world felt over the death of Keith Emerson was only increased when it was ruled that the keyboardist had committed suicide.

Emerson, who played with a number of bands including Emerson, Lake and Palmer, was found dead in his California home on Friday afternoon by his girlfriend, Mari Kawaguchi from a single gunshot to the head.

Kawaguchi has since talked with the U.K.’s Daily Mail, telling them that Emerson was constantly worried that he no longer was able to play at a level he had in the past and that he would be a disappointment to his fans. “His right hand and arm had given him problems for years. He had an operation a few years ago to take out a bad muscle but the pain and nerve issues in his right hand were getting worse. He had concerts coming up in Japan and even though they hired a back-up keyboard player to support him, Keith was worried.”

Emerson was scheduled for two nights in Osaka and five in Tokyo, Japan during the month of April.

Kawaguchi went on to say “He read all the criticism online and was a sensitive soul. Last year he played concerts and people posted mean comments such as, ‘I wish he would stop playing.’ He was tormented with worry that he wouldn’t be good enough. He was planning to retire after Japan. He didn’t want to let down his fans. He was a perfectionist and the thought he wouldn’t play perfectly made him depressed, nervous and anxious.”

Greg Lake Issues Statement Following Death Of Keith Emerson

vvnmusic.com

——————————————————————————————————————————————

Never miss a story! Get your free Noise11.com daily music news email alert. Subscribe to the Noise11 Music Newsletter here

Listen to the Noise11 Music News channel now at iHeartRadio

Follow Noise11.com on Facebook and Twitter

NOISE11 UPDATES are now in Apple News

Related Posts

Carl Palmer
Carl Palmer To Continue Emerson Lake & Palmer Legacy Live

With the 2016 deaths of Keith Emerson and Greg Lake, it is now up to Carl Palmer to represent the legacy of Emerson, Lake and Palmer.

July 25, 2017
Greg Lake
R.I.P. Greg Lake of Emerson Lake & Palmer 1947-2016

Greg Lake, bassist and guitarist for Emerson, Lake and Palmer and a founding member of King Crimson, died on Wednesday after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 69.

December 9, 2016
Emerson Lake Palmer Brain Salad Surgery
Emerson Lake & Palmer Prepare Second Round Of Re-Reissues

The second wave of reissued Emerson, Lake and Palmer albums are ready to go on September 30 with Trilogy, Brain Salad Surgery and Welcome Back, My Friends, to the Show That Never Ends: Ladies and Gentlemen, Emerson, Lake & Palmer.

August 26, 2016
Keith Emerson
Keith Emerson Tribute Concert Set For May 28 in LA

The official tribute concert to the late Keith Emerson of Emerson Lake & Palmer fame will be held in Los Angeles on May 28.

May 8, 2016
Keith Emerson
Carl Palmer To Pay Tribute To Keith Emerson

Drummer Carl Palmer will pay tribute to former bandmate Keith Emerson, who died on March 10, with his new tour "Remembering Keith Emerson and the Music of Emerson, Lake and Palmer".

March 31, 2016
Greg Lake and Keith Emerson by Neal Preston
Greg Lake Issues Statement Following Death Of Keith Emerson

Greg Lake has issued the following statement following the death of Keith Emerson from their trio Emerson, Lake & Palmer.

March 14, 2016
Keith Emerson
R.I.P. Keith Emerson of Emerson Lake & Palmer 1944-2016

Keyboardist Keith Emerson of Emerson, Lake and Palmer died last night in Santa Monica, CA. He was 71.

March 12, 2016