Greg Lake – the singer and bass player for British 1970s progressive rock groups Emerson, Lake and Palmer, and King Crimson – has died aged 69.

He composed the hit song “I Believe in Father Christmas.”

Lake passed away after what manager Stewart Young described as a “long and stubborn battle with cancer.”

“Greg Lake will stay in my heart for ever, as he has always been,“ Young wrote on the Emerson, Lake and Palmer Facebook page.

It was not clear where Lake died.

His death comes less than a year after the suicide in March of keyboard player Keith Emerson, who was found at his Los Angeles home with a gunshot wound to the head. He had been battling depression.

“It is with great sadness that I must now say goodbye to my friend and fellow band-mate, Greg Lake.” Full statement https://t.co/y5X1EK15Z1— Carl Palmer (@ELP_carl) 8 December 2016

God bless Greg lake peace and love to all his family. ✌️️☮️— #RingoStarr (@ringostarrmusic) 8 December 2016

Rest in Peace Greg Lake pic.twitter.com/IhZJdH3yjz— Rock N’ Roll Theatre (@RockMetal_Blues) 8 December 2016

In honour of the late Greg Lake, we look at 10 of his most essential songs, from King Crimson to ELP and beyond: https://t.co/EcLyw5aAKF pic.twitter.com/4BTpc5QFm7— Classic Rock (@ClassicRockMag) 8 December 2016