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Greg Lake , the guitarist of King Crimson, has passed away at the age of 69.
Considered a progressive rock pioneer , the British musician - who also fronted Emerson, Lake and Palmer - is also renowned for his solo work, the most popular track being Christmas song "I Believe in Father Christmas" which fans are sharing in tribute.
The song was released in 1975 and - in Lake's eyes, at least - became a victim of success; he remarkably never deemed it a Christmas song, instead claiming he wrote it in protest at how increasingly commercial the festive season had become.
Despite this, the song - comprised of several layers which build to a breathtaking amalgam - is a permanent fixture on Christmas playlists across the globe.
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If Lake's enchanting vocals - backed up by the distant choir he sings about in verse number one - doesn't, it's the instantly recognisable instrumentals that play in between verses that mark the song out - an addition suggested by band mate Keith Emerson (it's the "Troika" segment of Lieutenant Kijé Suite by Sergei Prokofiev, in case you were wondering).
Lake was never bitter that the song's original release was kept from number one in the UK music charts by Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody."
He once stated solemnly: "I got beaten by one of the greatest records ever made. I would’ve been pissed off if I’d been beaten by Cliff (Richard)."
Of course, fans now believe Lake would make this year's perfect Christmas number one.
You can listen to the full song above.
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