» Edit Band Information
» Edit Albums
» Add a Review
» Add an Album
» Add MP3
» Add News | King Crimson
Progressive, Jazz Fusion, Hard Rock |
King Crimson is one of the most innovative and enduring bands of the 20th century. Despite breaking up two separate times,
the band continues, because, as Robert Fripp puts it, "King Crimson has a life of its own. It is a creative identity quite apart
from the musicians who comprise it." The first incarnation of King Crimson was born in late 1968. By July, 1969, they were
playing the famous Hyde Park free concert in London, lead by the Rolling Stones, only their seventh gig. And by October they
had already released In the Court of the Crimson King, a groundbreaking album that set th ...read more
King Crimson is one of the most innovative and enduring bands of the 20th century. Despite breaking up two separate times,
the band continues, because, as Robert Fripp puts it, "King Crimson has a life of its own. It is a creative identity quite apart
from the musicians who comprise it." The first incarnation of King Crimson was born in late 1968. By July, 1969, they were
playing the famous Hyde Park free concert in London, lead by the Rolling Stones, only their seventh gig. And by October they
had already released In the Court of the Crimson King, a groundbreaking album that set the bar for progressive rock for
years to come. Their debut incorporated jazz fusion, epic Mellotron, proto-metal, and innovatively nightmarish themes into
their lyrics.
Despite a brilliantly original debut album, the band had already begun to dissolve because of creative tensions on their first
tour. 1970 through 1972 was the rockiest period for Crimson, around 7 musicians coming and going, but were still able to
deliver follow-ups to their debut, from the classical-tinged Islands to the sprawling jazz album Lizard. By 1973, the
band was a trio (though got heavy support from session players for their albums) and released the albums Starless and
Bible Black and Red. Though both albums had the theatrical darkness of previous Crimson works, they were heavier
than most bands of the time. This is partly because of the dense heavy bass work of John Wetton. King Crimson broke up
shortly after the release. Robert Fripp's reasons were that he no longer connected with people at concerts, and that the
band would eventually become a lifeless entity because the members lacking control of the group.
A rebirth occurred in 1981, when Fripp and drummer from the Red era Bill Bruford decided to form a new band. After
recruiting bassist Tony Levin, and, for the first time in Crimson history, second guitarist Adrien Belew (who also served as
vocalist and main lyricist,) the new car scented King Crimson released a trilogy of albums from 1981 to 1984, Discipline,
Beat and Three of a Perfect Pair, respectively. The band's sound had a New Wave feel to it, but not for long. The
Crimsons disbanded once again after the albums.
The early 90s were spent with Fripp once again making plans for Crimson, and a new more hard rock influenced Crimson than
before released THRAK in 1995. The lineup was a sextet, incorporating veteran members Fripp, Bruford, Levin, and
Belew, and new ones, Trey Gunn, and Pat Mastelotto. The rest of the 90s held various Crimson side projects (4 of them,
called 'ProjeKcts') and issued live recordings. Two albums have been released in the new millenium, as a quartet without
Bruford and Levin. This quartet however went on unofficial hiatus in early 2004. In the years that followed, most of the band
members were involved in other projects, but in late 2007, a new line-up was announced. Crimson was now a quintet,
consisting of Fripp, Belew, Levin, Mastelloto, and a new member: Porcupine Tree's Gavin Harrison (who became the group's
first British member since the 70's). Although this line-up still holds and has done some touring, also in celebration of King
Crimson's 40th Anniversary in 2009, they have yet to release any new material. « hide |
Similar Bands: Yes, The Enid, Van Der Graaf Generator, Mike Oldfield, Camel
Contributors: Madcreator, dariosoares, taylormemer, ThrashingWhiplash, rockandmetaljunkie, Ire, jefflebowski, siddha, Thor, Krow, Hoppoman, Nagrarok, The What, doqtor, clairvoyant, pulseczar, Youtellme, KILL, tylerdurdenpt, rockandmetaljunkie, taylormemer, Nagrarok,
|
