King Crimson

KING CRIMSON. English rock band formed in London in 1968. The band has undergone numerous formations throughout its history of which 21 musicians have been members. Robert Fripp is the only consistent member of the group and is considered the band's leader and driving force. The band has earned a large cult following and are ranked No 87 on VH1's "100 Greatest Artists of Rock". Their debut album, In The Court of King Crimson (1969), remains its most successful and influential with its elements of jazz,classical and experimental music. Their success increased following an opening act performance for the Rolling Stones at their famous Hyde Park concert London in 1969. Following the less successful, In the Wake of Poseidon (1970) / Lizard (1970) and Islands (1971), the group reached a new creative peak with Larks Tongues in Aspic (1973) / Starless and Bible Black (1974) and Red (1974). Fripp disbanded the group in 1974. In 1981, King Crimson reformed with a change in musical direction which lasted for three years, resulting in the trio of albums ; Discipline (1981) / Beat (1982) and Three of a Perfect Pair (1984). Afterwards following a further decade-long hiatus, Fripp revived the group once again in 1994 and released Thrak (1995).