In the court of the Crimson king

The brothers Giles (Peter and Michael) and Robert Fripp formed the rock group Giles, Giles and Fripp in August 1967. They managed to release an album and two singles without success. Then Peter Giles left the band to be replaced by Ian McDonald. At that point the band was renamed to King Crimson. Then also bassist/vocalist Greg Lake and lyricist Peter Sinfield were added to the band. King Crimson can be considered a synonym for Beelzebub, the prince of demons.

King Crimson in 1969

They introduced the world to early progressive rock. That influenced many other bands like Genesis and Yes. They made their live debut on 9 April 1969 at The Speakeasy Club in London. Then they were the opening act for the Rolling Stones in Hyde Park, London in July 1969. Barry Godber painted the design for the album cover of the debut album. The album also used the Mellotron.

Barry Godber

On “21st Century Schizoid Man" a heavy metal sound can be heared after starting with classical sounds. It is followed by “I Talk to the Wind”. A romantic pop song sung by Greg Lake. The sweeping and majestic “Epitaph” leads off with the mighty Mellotron, but quickly reverts to a minimal arrangement featuring Lake’s voice. “Moonchild” is the longest track on the album but also the weakest. The album ends with the title song which displayed the skills of all the members of the band. It is probably the best song on the album.

Emerson, Lake & Palmer

Greg Lake also joined the band for their next album but already announced he was leaving to join Keith Emerson and Carl Palmer to form Emerson, Lake & Palmer. Also McDonald left except for Fripp, Michael Giles and Sinfield. Ian McDonald founded the rock band Foreigner. The continuing changes in line-up didn't do well for the third and fourth album but in 1973 the line-up with the legendary John Wetton (Later in Uriah Heep and U.K.) and Bill Bruford (from Yes) besides Robert Fripp was introduced to release another 3 albums. Robert Fripp remained the sole member after that in all following line-ups.

Original album cover

In The Court Of The Crimson King
21st Century Schizoid Man / I Talk to the Wind / Epitaph / Moonchild / The Court of the Crimson King

I Talk To The Wind

In The Court Of The Crimson King

Epitaph