King Crimson is an English rock band formed in London in 1968 and widely regarded as one of the most influential and innovative rock bands of all time. The band has undergone numerous line-up changes and styles of music over the years, from their early jazz-rock and progressive rock style to their more recent experimental, avant-garde, and metal-influenced sound. The current line-up consists of Robert Fripp, Tony Levin, Gavin Harrison, Pat Mastelotto, and Mel Collins. King Crimson has released over two dozen studio albums, the most recent being 2017’s “Radical Action to Unseat the Hold of Monkey Mind”. The band has also been praised for their live performances, with their improvisation, energy, and spontaneity often cited as one of their greatest strengths. King Crimson has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and have been praised by some of the most influential musicians in the world.
| Name | King Crimson |
| Genre | Progressive Rock, Jazz Fusion |
| Years Active | 1968-present |
| Label | Polydor, Atlantic, Virgin, EMI |
| Date of Birth | 1968 |
| Members | Robert Fripp, Bill Bruford, Mel Collins, Adrian Belew, Tony Levin, Pat Mastelotto, Jakko Jakszyk |
10 Best King Crimson Quotes
“One of the things I’m proudest of about King Crimson is that we don’t just play the same thing over and over again. We try to make every tour different.”
– Robert Fripp, from Guitar World
“The idea is that you have to be ready to embrace change, and not just make change, but also to embrace it.”
– Robert Fripp, from Guitar World
“I like to think of Crimson as an experiment that has no end.”
– Robert Fripp, from The Guardian
“The main thing about King Crimson is that it’s a living, breathing thing.”
– Tony Levin, from Guitar World
“Every time we play something, it’s the first time we’ve ever played it.”
– Tony Levin, from Guitar World
“The real challenge of King Crimson is creating a huge variety of sounds but still having it all hang together.”
– Pat Mastelotto, from Guitar World
“The thing that’s been very special about King Crimson is that no matter who was in the band it was still King Crimson.”
– Pat Mastelotto, from Guitar World
“King Crimson has always been about pushing boundaries and taking risks.”
– Jakko Jakszyk, from Guitar World
“King Crimson is the only band where I can be the lead singer, play guitar and the occasional keyboard.”
– Jakko Jakszyk, from Guitar World
“The way King Crimson works is that you don’t just join the band, you become part of the band.”
– Bill Rieflin, from Guitar World
7 Inspirational King Crimson Quotes
“I think that creativity and imagination will always win out over the forces of convention.”
– Robert Fripp, from Guitar World
“You don’t have to be loud to be intense.”
– Robert Fripp, from Guitar World
“I think one of the most important things to be aware of as a musician, is that as a person, you are an instrument, and that the instrument works best when it’s well-tuned and well-maintained.”
– Robert Fripp, from Guitar World
“The best way to learn how to play any instrument is to get together with other people who play it and just start playing.”
– Adrian Belew, from Guitar Player
“I have always believed that music is an emotional language, and that we can communicate through it.”
– Adrian Belew, from Guitar Player
“The most important thing for any musician is to be able to express yourself in a way that’s true to who you are.”
– Adrian Belew, from Guitar Player
“Music is like a universal language, and it’s a language that can bring people together.”
– Tony Levin, from Guitar World
5 Famous King Crimson Quotes
“I think the biggest problem is the sheer amount of music that exists and the sheer quantity of new music that exists.”
– Robert Fripp, from Guitar World
“I think you can find your way out of this impasse of ‘it all sounds the same’, which is an accusation that is made of a lot of music, by spending the time and energy to actually get to know the music.”
– Robert Fripp, from Guitar World
“I think the thing about progressive rock is that it has to be progressive.”
– Adrian Belew, from Prog Archives
“When I first joined the band I think I was in a little over my head, and I think that’s why it was so exciting.”
– Tony Levin, from Bass Player
“I think one of the key elements of King Crimson is that it is a democracy, and everyone has an equal vote in the band.”
– Bill Rieflin, from Prog Archives
5 King Crimson Quotes About Love
“Love is the most important thing, no question.”
– Robert Fripp, from udiscovermusic.com
“Love is the great lesson of life, I think.”
– Robert Fripp, from udiscovermusic.com
“Love is the core of all our motivations.”
– Tony Levin, from udiscovermusic.com
“I believe in love, and I believe in friendship.”
– Jakko Jakszyk, from udiscovermusic.com
“Love is at the root of everything.”
– Bill Rieflin, from udiscovermusic.com
6 King Crimson Quotes About Life
“Life is a continuous process of learning, growing and evolving”
– Robert Fripp, from Guitar World
“Life is a balance between what we are and what we can be”
– Tony Levin, from Guitar World
“It’s good to have a sense of humour about life”
– Mel Collins, from All About Jazz
“The thing about life is that it doesn’t always give you what you want”
– Bill Bruford, from All About Jazz
“Life is really about learning, about understanding the lessons that one is given”
– Jakko Jakszyk, from All About Jazz
“I think life is to be taken seriously but not too seriously”
– Adrian Belew, from Guitar World
8 Quotes About King Crimson
“I think King Crimson have been the most influential English rock group of the last 30 years.”
– Robert Fripp, from thecrimsonprojeKCT.com
“King Crimson have been a major force in the music world for the past four decades.”
– David Fricke, from Rolling Stone
“King Crimson’s impact has been profound, from prog-rock to punk.”
– John Diliberto, from NPR
“King Crimson were one of the most innovative and influential bands in rock history.”
– AllMusic, from allmusic.com
“The power of King Crimson’s music is undeniable.”
– Martin Popoff, from Ultimate-Guitar
“King Crimson are one of the most important prog bands of all time.”
– Prog Archives, from Prog Archives
“King Crimson is one of the most influential bands in the history of progressive rock.”
– Encyclopedia Britannica, from Encyclopedia Britannica
Interview with King Crimson
Frequently Asked Questions About King Crimson
1. What are some of the most famous King Crimson quotes?
- “The world is a vampire, sent to drain.” – 21st Century Schizoid Man
- “In the court of the Crimson King, the keeper of the keys put on a black robe and said: ‘Do what thou wilt.'” – In the Court of the Crimson King
- “So I run, I run to the valley below.” – Larks’ Tongues in Aspic Part One
- “No one ever said that life was a bowl of cherries.” – Easy Money
- “We’ll burn the sky and sail through the ashes.” – Starless
- “We’ll build a new world, from the ashes of the old.” – Thela Hun Ginjeet
- “The more you try to forget, the more you remember.” – Thela Hun Ginjeet
- “One more time across the void, so far away.” – Islands
- “When the wind blows, no one knows, the way it’s gonna go.” – Elephant Talk
- “The might of the music, the power of the words.” – Thela Hun Ginjeet
2. How has King Crimson’s music shaped the progressive rock genre?
King Crimson has been an influential force in the progressive rock genre since the band’s formation in 1968. The band’s sound has become iconic, characterized by complex time signatures, innovative instrumentation, and Robert Fripp’s distinctive guitar playing.
The band’s influence can be seen in many of their contemporaries, including Pink Floyd, Yes, and Genesis. Additionally, their influence has been felt in modern progressive rock bands such as Tool, Porcupine Tree, and Coheed and Cambria.
King Crimson’s influence on the progressive rock genre can be seen in the following ways:
- Complex Time Signatures: King Crimson is known for their complex musical structures, featuring asymmetrical measures, odd time signatures, and irregular rhythms. This has become a hallmark of the progressive rock sound.
- Innovative Instrumentation: King Crimson often employs unusual instruments, such as the mellotron and Chamberlin, to create a distinctive soundscape. This has been adopted by many modern progressive rock bands.
- Robert Fripp’s Guitar Playing: Robert Fripp’s guitar playing has become legendary. His use of dissonance and dissonant chords, as well as his major contribution to the development of looping, have all become integral parts of the progressive rock sound.
From their complex time signatures to Robert Fripp’s unique guitar playing, King Crimson has had a lasting influence on the progressive rock genre. As the genre continues to evolve, King Crimson’s influence can still be felt in the sound of many modern progressive rock bands.
3. What is the origin of the band’s name?
The British progressive rock band King Crimson was formed in 1968 by guitarist Robert Fripp and lyricist Pete Sinfield. The name of the band has an interesting origin story. According to Fripp, the name was derived from a dream he had, in which a voice said “Believe in King Crimson”.
- The original inspiration for the name was a dream of Robert Fripp’s.
- The dream featured a mysterious voice saying, “Believe in King Crimson”.
- The band was formed in 1968 and has been a mainstay in the progressive rock genre ever since.
4. What is the significance of the song “21st Century Schizoid Man”?
Released in 1969, “21st Century Schizoid Man” is one of the most iconic songs by the English progressive rock band King Crimson. The song speaks of the psychological schism between individuals and society, and the feeling of being alienated from the world. The lyrics are filled with imagery of despair, confusion, and nihilism, creating a sense of paranoia and angst that resonates with many listeners.
The song was the first track released from King Crimson’s debut album “In the Court of the Crimson King”. It quickly became a hit and established the band as a pioneering figure in progressive rock. With its powerful lyrics, heavy riffs, and chaotic structure, the song has become a classic in the genre. It has served as an inspiration to many other bands, and its influence can still be heard in modern rock music.
In addition to its musical importance, “21st Century Schizoid Man” also has a cultural significance. The song captures the tension and uncertainty of the era, with its themes of alienation and the struggle between individuals and society. It has become a timeless anthem of alienation, and its themes are still relevant today.
5. What is the importance of Robert Fripp’s guitar playing to the sound of King Crimson?
- Robert Fripp’s guitar playing is an integral part of the sound of King Crimson. He has been the only consistent member of the band since its formation in 1969, and his unique style has been a major influence on the band’s sound.
- Fripp’s playing is characterised by his use of complex patterns, unusual time signatures and extended chords. He has also developed his own unique guitar tuning, which he has used for decades to create the band’s distinctive sound.
- Fripp has also been a major influence on the band’s songwriting approach. He often serves as the group’s primary composer, and his guitar playing has been the driving force behind many of King Crimson’s best-known songs.
- In addition to his compositional role, Fripp has also been a major contributor to the band’s live performances. He often takes a lead role on stage, and his improvising and soloing are a key part of the King Crimson live experience.
- Robert Fripp’s guitar playing is an essential part of King Crimson’s sound, and his contribution to the band’s music cannot be overstated. From his compositional work to his live performances, Fripp’s guitar playing is an integral part of the band’s success.
Conclusion
King Crimson is a pioneering progressive rock band that has been influencing music for decades. Their music is filled with complex and intricate sounds, as well as a deep and intense lyrical content. They have been credited with helping lay the groundwork for the development of genres such as heavy metal and prog-rock. The band’s groundbreaking work has made them an iconic figure in the music industry and their music has inspired many musicians to create and innovate. King Crimson’s music and quotes are a testament to their commitment to creating something unique and everlasting.
