Robert Fripp
Robert
Fripp was born in Wimbourne, Dorset, England on May 16, 1946.
Fripp began his professional career in the mid sixties by joining the band League of Gentlemen. Shortly after this he went on to make The Cheerful Insanity of Giles Giles and Fripp before moving on to form King Crimson. It was with this band that Fripp would forge his reputation as a guitar legend.
In 1969, the band released their first album entitled Court of the Crimson King. This album established the band as one of the most respected progressive rock bands of it's era. From 1969-1974, Fripp was the mainstay in the group, and lead the band through many musical "incarnations".
Fripp also pursued a few side projects. He recorded 2 albums with Brian Eno. In 1973 they released No Pussyfooting, and in 1975, Evening Star. It was with the release of this album that Fripp introduced the tape loop and layered guitar technique known as Frippertonics. During this time, he also produced a few albums by experimental Jazz bands.
In
1974, Fripp disbanded King Crimson and retired from music.
Three years later, he returned and played on David Bowie's album
Heroes. He then went on to play and produce Peter Gabriel's
second self-titled album, and Darryl Hall's Sacred Songs album.
In 1979, Fripp released his first solo album entitled Exposure.
In 1981, Fripp collected a new lineup for King Crimson, and the band began to play and record. At the same time, he lead another band with the name taken from his original band called the League of Gentlemen. After recording 3 albums, King Crimson disbanded again, and the League of Gentlemen disbanded shortly after.
In 1985, Fripp released another solo album entitled God Save the King. He also started a guitar school, dubbing his students and his school the "League of Crafty Guitarists".
In 1986, he released an album with his "Crafty Guitarists". He also released a collaboration with his wife, Toyah Wilcox.
In late 1994, Fripp re-formed his '80's lineup of King Crimson, and released Thrak in 1995.
In 1997, he went back to the studio again and released another solo album entitled That Which Passes.
In 1999, he returned to the studio with King Crimson again and in 2000 released The ConstuKction of Light, followed by a promotional tour.
A new album released in 2002 with King Crimson featuring Adrian Belew, Trey Gunn and Pat Mastelloto entitled "Happy With What You Have To Be Happy With"
Click on the pic to buy "In The
Court Of King Crimson"
Book Description
King Crimson's 1969 masterpiece In The Court Of The Crimson King,
was a huge U.S. chart hit. The band followed it with 40 further
albums of consistently challenging, distinctive and innovative
music. Drawing on hours of new interviews, and encouraged by Crimson
supremo Robert Fripp, the author traces the band's turbulent history
year by year, track by track.