King Crimson

King Crimson in Nijmegen on 22 June 2019. Top L–R: Mel Collins, Tony Levin, Jakko Jakszyk, Robert Fripp. Bottom L–R: Pat Mastelotto, Jeremy Stacey, and Gavin Harrison.

King Crimson were an English-based progressive rock band formed in London in 1968 by Robert Fripp (guitars), Michael Giles (drums), Greg Lake (bass, vocals), Ian McDonald (saxophone, flute, clarinet, keyboards) and Peter Sinfield (lyrics, illumination). Fripp remained the only constant member throughout the band's history. The band drew inspiration from a wide variety of music, incorporating elements of classical, jazz, folk, heavy metal, gamelan, blues, industrial, electronic, experimental music and new wave. They exerted a strong influence on the early 1970s progressive rock movement, including on contemporaries such as Yes and Genesis, and continue to inspire subsequent generations of artists across multiple genres. The band has earned a large cult following, especially in the 21st century.

Quotes about King Crimson

• When it comes to the absurdly resourceful bench of progressive rock bands, King Crimson were probably the most versatile of them all. Certainly, they were the most adventurous, with ceaselessly shifting line-ups inspiring entirely new sounds. One could play a song from their first, third, and fifth albums and the average listener would have no clue it was the same band. And that, in some regards, is the premise and essence of progressive rock.
  • Sean Murphy of Pop Matters (7 March 2023)

• Fripp and Co. were never afraid to experiment with their sound. Not only relying on the regular intricacies of prog rock, but classical, folk, and early elements of heavy metal that influenced the likes of Black Flag, Nirvana, and Mastodon. The band's 1960 debut In the Court of the Crimson King remains one of the most influential albums in music history.
  • Jeff Mezydlo of Yardbarker (February 2025)