The English band King Crimson appeared in the era of the birth of progressive rock. It was founded in London in 1969.
Initial composition:
- Robert Fripp - guitar, keyboards
- Greg Lake - bass guitar, vocals
- Ian McDonald - keyboards
- Michael Giles - percussion.
Prior to the appearance of King Crimson, Robert Fripp played in the trio "The Brothers Gills and Fripp". The musicians focused on the sound that was understandable to the public.
They came up with catchy melodies with a clear expectation of commercial success. In 1968, the trio released the disc Merry Madness. After that, bassist Peter Gills left the music business for a while. His brother, along with Robert Fripp, conceived a new project.
In January 1969, the group held their first rehearsal. And on July 5, the debut of the new band took place in the famous Hyde Park. In October, King Crimson released their debut album, In the Court of the Crimson King.
This record became the No. 1 masterpiece in the history of rock music of the late 1960s. The band's guitarist, Robert Fripp, demonstrated for the first time his ability to surprise the audience.
(The band's first performance)
The album "At the Court of the Crimson King" became the first "swallow" and a landmark for musicians playing in the style of art rock or symphonic rock. The unique innovator Robert Fripp brought rock music as close as possible to the classics.
The musicians experimented with complex rhythmic time signatures. They could not be called "Crimson Kings", but "Kings of Polyrhythm". In their footsteps, Yes, Genesis, ELP, etc. began their ascent to the musical Olympus.
The King Crimson in 1969
Any composition of the King Crimson group is full of original ideas and unexpected arrangements. Fripp and the band's musicians were constantly on the lookout for new sounds and musical forms. Not everyone had the strength and creativity to constantly be in the "cauldron of continuous experiment."
The composition of the group was constantly changing. It wasn't until 1972 that Fripp worked well with bass player John Wetton and drummer Bill Bruford. Together with them, he released one of the most profound albums of the group Red. The band broke up shortly after the release of the album.
The main feature of the King Crimson group was the lack of improvisation on stage. While the Yes musicians stretched their compositions into half-hour symphonies, and Peter Gabriel staged a 20-minute theatrical performance, the King Crimson group rehearsed.
Fripp demanded precision from the musicians. At concerts they sounded the same as in the recording. The band had a very solid sound and technically rehearsed performance.
Robert Fripp once again proved his ability to surprise the public when, in 1981, he presented the updated composition of the King Crimson team. In addition to Fripp and Bruford (drummer), the line-up included: Adrian Belew (guitarist, vocalist), Tony Levin (bassist). Both by this time were already authoritative musicians.
The King Crimson in 1984
Together they released the album Discipline, which became an event in the music world. In the new project of the group, familiar recognizable motives sounded. They were combined with original finds and unique arrangements.
It was a synthesis of early art-rock with jazz-rock and characteristic elements of hard. Emerging from oblivion, King Crimson released several albums and disbanded again in 1985. This time for almost 10 years.
In 1994, the King Crimson group was resurrected as a sextet or so-called "doubled" trio:
- Robert Fripp (guitar);
- Bill Bruford (drums);
- Adrian Belew (guitar, vocals)
- Tony Levin (bass guitar, stick guitar);
- Trey Gunn (Guitar Warr);
- Pat Mastelotto (percussion)
In this composition, the group recorded three albums, in which it once again proved its uniqueness. Fripp brought his new idea to life. He created a unique sound by doubling the sound of the same instruments. Two guitars, two sticks sounded on stage and in the recording, two drummers worked.
This music immersed the listener in virtual reality, where each instrument "lived its own life". But at the same time, the composition did not turn into a cacophony. It was a well-rehearsed and well-rehearsed style of the King Crimson group.
The double trio has released three albums. Each of them struck with its complexity and intricacy of musical phrases. Returning to the scene with the mini-album VROOOM, in 1995 the band released the most complex sounding and performing CD Track.
Tour time
In the same year, the group went on tour. The tour of the most powerful composition of the group King Crimson was a huge success. They once again proved that they are able to surprise the audience. Using the revived potential, the group once again broke up in 1996.
Since 1997, the musicians have been working on their own projects. Fripp, Gunn, Belew, and Mastelotto performed periodically in front of the public. In this composition, they worked in the 2000s. The nature of the music is close to the sound of the 1990s. In 2008 the musicians came to Russia.
They performed at the "Creation of the World" festival in Kazan, and then in the Moscow club "B1". Fripp invited violinist Eddie Jobson to perform. Since 2007, King Crimson has added a new drummer, Gavin Harrison. After the concerts, there was a slight break in the work of the band.
Robert Fripp announced the revival of the band in 2013. This time he created a double quartet, introducing two flutists into the group. Today the King Crimson band performs as follows:
- Robert Fripp (guitar, keyboards);
- Mel Collins (flute, saxophone);
- Tony Levin (bass guitar, stick, double bass);
- Pat Mastelotto (electronic drums, percussion);
- Gavin Harrison (drums);
- Jacko Jackzik (flute, guitar, vocals);
- Bill Rieflin (synthesizer, backing vocals);
- Jeremy Stacy (drums, keyboards, backing vocals)
King Crimson today
The group continues to successfully tour and conduct musical experiments. Given the propensity of the musicians and their leader Robert Fripp to innovate, one can only imagine what else these unique artists will surprise the audience with.
Death of King Crimson co-founder Ian McDonald
One of the founders of the band and member of the Foreigner group, Ian McDonald, died in America at the age of 76. Relatives do not disclose what caused the death. It is only known that he "died peacefully surrounded by his family at his home in New York." Recall that with King Crimson he recorded four of the best-selling LPs from 1969 to 1979.
