King Crimson

Great that they’re back on the road at least.

I saw two shows on this most recent tour - they were both truly outstanding!

The two shows I saw were on September 4th in Holmdel, NJ (at the PNC Arts Center) and September 9th in NYC (at the very lovely Beacon Theatre). I also did the "Royal Package" for both shows - that's the name of their VIP ticketing program. Unlike with some bands, this VIP package is truly excellent!

I'll talk more about these shows later. I will talk some people off of the ledge a bit and inform you that, provided that situations that would prevent them from touring fail to occur, both Robert Fripp and David Singleton (KC's manager) have expressed interest in future KC tours beyond this year. There were a few suppositions made public in the press and beyond that implied that this 2021 tour could be the very last for KC in North America. Now, realistically, given the age of a few of the band members (and the seemingly never-ending pandemic), this most current tour could have been the last. Having said that, Robert was adamant at the pre-show Q&A at the Beacon that such a decision has not been made yet. Both he and David expressed desire to return in the future with KC. However, with the current state of the world, such a proclamation can't be made with confidence at the moment. In short, 2022 will have to come in order for potential touring in 2023 to be able to be predicted. So, stay tuned...

Quote from Backdrifter

Following on from the sad news of Ian McDonald's passing, a new documentary film about Crimson is being released. Trailer here. Look out for IM.

Thanks for that link! (The timing of this information being virtually concurrent with Ian’s passing is somewhat eerie…)

Quote from Backdrifter

What do we think of this notion it was the first ever progressive rock album? Does that stand up?

I've heard some say that accolade goes to Sgt Pepper but that seems to be based on it having the vague remnant of a concept that never got fully developed.

Well, if you're talking about the prog that we all know and love, with the sweeping mellotron, odd time signatures, weird lyrics, and neo-classical influences, it's hard not to treat that first Crimson album as patient zero. Though the Moodie Blues and Beatles (heck, and the Stones) had used a mellotron, they were in the realm of pop and/or psychedelia. Yes also comes to mind with their first album but nowhere near as much as King Crimson's debut.

This is a bit odd. Robert Fripp and a female singer I don't know called Toyah have apparently spent the pandemic putting up strange covers of songs. Partly KC related I guess!

Here they are doing Bullet With Butterfly Wings. It's all very odd, but they seem to be having fun.

I have to say, not a huge Fripp fan. Find his guitar work slightly in odds to my ears that don't make sense!....

Though regarded as one of the best guitarists out there, I tend to differ.

Prefer Steve Hackett, Gilmour and my favourite Andy Latimer any day.

Quote from thewatcher

This is a bit odd. Robert Fripp and a female singer I don't know called Toyah

Toyah Willcox is the wife of Robert Fripp

And she sang Lion of Symmetry for Tony Banks.

Thanks all for the info and context. Having vowed to give KC more of a try, I've failed to do so as yet. I stumbled on the above as a result of my fandom of the original artist. They seem like an interesting pair and my curiosity is certainly piqued!

Quote from Backdrifter

I gather they have also worked together on a Toyah reinterpretation of Crimson's debut album, to be entitled In The Court Of The Crimson Queen.

That is all.

LOL!....That made me laugh!.......

Quote from Noni

LOL!....That made me laugh!.......

Toyah has released an album of that name.

That’s interesting news! I think you got it right with Tony Levin’s comment, i.e., you just never know with Robert. As long as Robert is above ground and can play, the possibility of KC being resurrected is always there.

He certainly made hints after the last date in Japan in 2021 that KC may be done for good, but there has not been a definite full-stop uttered. Wait and see, I guess. 🤷‍♂️ If we finish 2025 without any concrete news, I have to think that would be definitely it. Human mortality comes more and more into play the longer time goes on.

Quote from Backdrifter

Regarding this post from seftonave in the PG forum, rather than divert that thread I thought I'd post here. It alludes to the apparent final wrap-up of KC, following Tony Levin saying his plans for solo work depend partly on King Crimson - the question being, why would he say that if KC has come to an end?

After the end of KC's Japan tour in 2021, Fripp said they had "moved from sound to silence". At that time Levin posted on his blog some touching remarks about the 'ghosts' of former KC members, after having "got the impression" from Fripp that Crimson had finally ended. Fripp had also previously said the then current touring band was "likely the final line-up of the band".

Typically for them and Fripp it's all very elliptical and somewhat cryptic, with no actual definitive statement that the band has "ceased to exist" as Fripp less enigmatically declared in 1974 post-Red. But despite the absence of a tangible announcement there's a consensus that King Crimson is no more, which does make it a little odd Levin should refer to KC activity as a potential caveat to his solo work. I gather there's no barrier to further archival stuff so maybe he means his possible involvement in that.

Given that Fripp has instigated 3 revivals (or "reactivations" as he puts it) of the band since their initial 69-74 run, Levin could simply be thinking that with this guy you just never know. But as I said at the time, in 2019 when they completed what remains their last UK show (in London), Fripp uncharacteristically remained on stage for some time after everyone else has trooped off, looking around at the applauding crowd. I thought then, I wonder if he knows this is the final Crimson gig in his native land and is savouring the moment.

I think RF seemed to be thoroughly enjoying the last incarnations of KC. I would not be shocked if he reincarnated KC again. Certainly he has become a rather jolly chap as he has got older! I was lucky enough to see the last incarnation of the 'beast' and the previous with the late BR playing drums. Pretty awe inspiring stuff. I was sceptical, having seen the 80s lineup a few times, which were also fantastic events. I was not dissapointed. Here's hoping.