RIP Ian McDonald

[Jeff Higgins]

Passed away last week from cancer, only 75 years old. I know, I know - most of you probably have no idea who he was.

Mr. McDonald was a founding member of two of the most important bands in rock'n'roll history. One never made it very big (although they were quite influential), the other became absolutely huge. And they couldn't have been more different - King Crimson and Foreigner. He only played on the first album of the former (he did actually do some studio backup work fro them later as a non-member), and the first three of the latter. His influence on both, however, was monumental. Not many can say they changed the face of rock music. Ian McDonald could, although he never got the credit for it.

On the flute on King Crimson's debut album:



Later, as a non-member, on the sax:



I never really was a big fan of Foreigner, although they were one of the biggest bands going in my latter days in high school and early days in college. I'm pretty sure he played mostly rhythm guitar with them. Far more "mainstream" or "Top 40" sound, so I really wasn't interested. Maybe someone else can add what he did with them.

[LWJ]

I had read this elsewhere. I am somewhat a student of popular music as that is what I immersed myself in for almost a decade of free time. (Long story. No fame. Small brag rights)

Don’t know anything about King Crimson but a buddy who has made his living as a promoter couldn’t shut up about them back in the day.

Also underwhelmed with Foreigner.

More research is needed.

[ted]

Had a few of their albums back in the day and just downloaded some of their music last week.
I would of never expected someone from King Crimson was also in Foreigner.
Completely different sound and market.

[URY914]

There is music as an art form. (King C)
And there's music to pay the bills. (Foreigner)

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by ted

Had a few of their albums back in the day and just downloaded some of their music last week.
I would of never expected someone from King Crimson was also in Foreigner.
Completely different sound and market.

Boz Burrell, the bass player and sometimes vocalist (mostly backup) for Bad Company was also a King Crimson alumni. They brought him on as the vocalist to replace vocalist and bass player Gordon Haskell (who had replaced Greg Lake on their third album Lizard). Boz didn't really play an instrument, so they intended to find another bass player to fill that spot as well. When the guy backed out, they wound up teaching Boz to play bass instead. He recorded their fourth album, Islands with them, then left to form Bad Company.

I've been a lifelong King Crimson fan. I first saw them as the opening act for Yes in the early to mid 1970's. And, yes, I'm a huge fan of Yes as well. Far, far more commercially successful than King Crimson, they must have been a very intimidating band for whom to open. King Crimson were certainly up to the task. Their dummer by then, Bill Bruford, had actually started with Yes, but subsequently left them for the much more creative and improvisational atmosphere at King Crimson.

King Crimson's recorded music does not do them justice. It can be "uneven", to be gracious about it. Highly experimental at times, often sacrificing "listenability" for that. But, when they land on something that "works", they are absolutely spectacular. Beyond that, however, it's their live improvisation that really set them apart. You really, really had to catch them live to gain a full appreciation of them. Unfortunately, they announced from Japan a few weeks ago while on tour, they "had played their last note". What a shame.

[LEAKYSEALS951]

Sorry to hear.

I haven't heard that since college. My roommate was a huge fan of Fripp and Belew. I still listen to Discipline occasionally, but, I think Ian was gone by then.

[Jeff Higgins]

Adrian Bellew did his best work with David Bowie, Frank Zappa, and The Talking Heads. He didn't seem like a "fit" in King Crimson, at least not to me.

Bellew and Fripp originally got together post King Crimson to form a band that they were going to call Discipline. After working together, however, they changed the name back to King Crimson and released the album called Discipline. That was when Fripp famously said "King Crimson is not a band. King Crimson is a way of doing things". And yes, they have had a pretty "fluid" lineup over the years. I get the impression Fripp might be difficult to work with. He appears to come up with a concept, and "assembles the musicians" he deems suited to carry that out.

[tabs]

bombastic

[red-beard]

[Jeff Alton]

Legend.... Rip

[Starless]

Been a Crimson fan ever since I bought Starless ( see, see?) and Bible Black. They were different from everyone else, and other than the first two albums the sound changed with each one. Watching some early stuff on YouTube is a must. Fripp always sitting down.
Saw them years ago at Toads Place in New Haven CT. when they formed with Belew. Bouncers came around and took our cameras, no photos per Fripp. We did get to met Robert Fripp after the show when we went to retrieve our cameras. He didn't say a word, just handed out Triscuits. I still have mine. Ian McDonald played in many other bands, mostly as a guest. He played on Bang a Gong by T.Rex. and toured with Steve Hackett.