The partner of Keith Emerson, the progressive rockstar who died last week after an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, reported that Emerson began to doubt his abilities as a musician prior to his death.
The body of the 71-year-old co-founder of British band Emerson, Lake & Palmer, was found at his apartment in Santa Monica beside his long-time partner Mari Kawaguchi on Thursday.
Speaking to The Mail on Sunday, Kawaguchi, 52, said the musician had been “tormented with worry that he wouldn’t be good enough” for upcoming concerts in Japan.
“He read all the criticism online and was a sensitive soul. Last year, he performed in 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 the Japan tour,” added Kawaguchi. “He didn’t want to let his fans down. He was a perfectionist and the thought that he wouldn’t play perfectly made him depressed, nervous and anxious.”
Emerson was an exceptional keyboard player, perhaps the best of the rock era. He was considered a musician who attempted to do for keyboards what Jimi Hendrix did for the guitar.
Emerson’s former band mate, Carl Palmer, expressed, “I am deeply saddened to learn the passing of my good friend and brother-in-music, Keith Emerson. He was a gentle soul whose love for music and passion for his performance as a keyboard player will remain unmatched for many years to come.”
“I will always remember his warm smile, good sense of humour, compelling showmanship, and dedication to his musical craft,” concluded Palmer.