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King Crimson Quizzes, Trivia and Puzzles
King Crimson Quizzes, Trivia

King Crimson Trivia

King Crimson Trivia Quizzes

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6 King Crimson quizzes and 60 King Crimson trivia questions.
1.
  In the Court of the Crimson King    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
A Lyrical Journey
Test your knowledge of the lyrical content and stories told in King Crimson's iconic 1969 album, "In the Court of the Crimson King". Let's see how well you can navigate the court!
Average, 10 Qns, JJHorner, Feb 28 25
Average
JJHorner
Feb 28 25
42 plays
2.
  King Crimson- Prog Rock Geniuses   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
How well do you know the progressive rock band, King Crimson? This quiz should prove challenging, but passable to all prog rock fans. Enjoy!
Average, 10 Qns, ElvishLord, May 16 16
Average
ElvishLord
291 plays
3.
  The Revolving Door of King Crimson editor best quiz   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
It would take an auditorium to hold everyone who's played with King Crimson. Sooner or later, almost everyone gets sick of Robert Fripp (or vice versa!) and quits (or gets fired!). But the constant coming and going has kept the music fresh.
Tough, 10 Qns, astorian, Oct 04 04
Tough
astorian
876 plays
4.
  King Crimson....Past and Present    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
King Crimson has been around for quite some time...this quiz is for those fans who have been with them since the beginning!
Average, 10 Qns, disgustipated, Jul 31 24
Average
disgustipated
Jul 31 24
816 plays
5.
  The Great Court of King Crimson   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
A short quiz dealing with random details on an incredibly underrated band- King Crimson.
Difficult, 10 Qns, oracleinvein, Apr 24 21
Difficult
oracleinvein
Apr 24 21
422 plays
6.
  King Crimson Albums & Facts    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
A quiz on the early King Crimson albums, and when they were released, also some King Crimson related questions.
Average, 10 Qns, nibornn, Nov 25 07
Average
nibornn
922 plays
trivia question Quick Question
What is the only King Crimson studio release that does not share its name with a song on that album?

From Quiz "King Crimson....Past and Present"




Related Topics
  Progressive Rock [Music] (25 quizzes)


King Crimson Trivia Questions
1. When did King Crimson record their first album?

From Quiz King Crimson- Prog Rock Geniuses

Answer: 1969

King Crimson recorded their first album, "In the Court of the Crimson King," in October of 1969. The band's first album was quite successful. It went to number five on the UK Album Chart and number 28 on the US Billboard 200 and was later certified Gold. They played the songs from the album live and to much critical acclaim in July of 1969 while opening for the Rolling Stones in Hyde Park, England.

2. Who was the first musician to leave King Crimson?

From Quiz The Revolving Door of King Crimson

Answer: Ian McDonald

Ian McDonald, who wrote most of the music on KC's debut album, "In the Court of the Crimson King," wasn't prepared for sudden stardom. He freaked out under the pressure, and left the band after their first tour of America. Drummer Michael Giles decided to follow McDonald, but stayed with King Crimson long enough to record their followup "In the Wake of Poseidon" album. Greg Lake provided the vocals for that album, but since it was clear that the band was falling apart, he decided to leave and form a new band with Keith Emerson and Carl Palmer. That left just guitarist Robert Fripp and lyricist Pete Sinfield to piece together the first of many new lineups for King Crimson. McDonald & Giles recorded one unsuccessful album together before going their separate ways. Emerson, Lake & Palmer, of course, went on to stardom.

3. What was King Crimson's first album?

From Quiz King Crimson....Past and Present

Answer: In the Court of the Crimson King

Released in 1969, this first album was a true work of art.

4. Who is the founding member and the only member to have played with the band over their entire history?

From Quiz King Crimson- Prog Rock Geniuses

Answer: Robert Fripp

Anyone who is even moderately interested in King Crimson is familiar with Robert Fripp and his unique, dynamic style that has been the driving force of this innovative band. Born May 16, 1946, in Dorset, England, Robert Fripp began playing the guitar at age eleven. His highly technical style has been influential in the industry. Peter Sinfield, Ian McDonald, and Greg Lake were all members of King Crimson in the early years and went of to form such bands as Emerson, Lake, and Palmer and Foreigner.

5. The band's first, and best-known, release, "In the Court of the Crimson King", opens with the fiery "21st Century Schizoid Man." What is the name of the instrumental middle section of the song?

From Quiz The Great Court of King Crimson

Answer: Mirrors

The song has been covered by various artists, including Ozzy Osbourne, Gov't Mule, and April Wine.

6. The album jacket of "In the Court of the Crimson King" gives lyricist Pete Sinfield credit for "Words and Illumination". What did "illumination" mean?

From Quiz The Revolving Door of King Crimson

Answer: He ran the band's psychedelic light show during concerts

In addition to writing lyrics, Sinfield put together an elaborate light show from rudimentary equipment. Fripp eventually got tired of Sinfield's fantasy-themed lyrics, and broke off their partnership. Sinfield then began writing lyrics for Greg Lake's new band, ELP.

7. What was the name of their first album?

From Quiz King Crimson Albums & Facts

Answer: In the Court of the Crimson King

It was their first album, titled from the song with the same name. They actually took their name from that song. Not all members liked it though.

8. Who wrote the lyrics for the first four King Crimson albums?

From Quiz King Crimson....Past and Present

Answer: Peter Sinfield

Peter Sinfield wrote all the lyrics and was in charge of the artwork for "In the Court of the Crimson King", "In the Wake of Poseidon", "Lizard", and "Islands".

9. During the band's first year touring for "In the Court of the Crimson King," a very popular rock and roll guitarist called them "the best group in the world." Who was this musician?

From Quiz King Crimson- Prog Rock Geniuses

Answer: Jimi Hendrix

In an August, 2012 interview for "Financial Times" magazine, Robert Fripp reminisces about the early years of the band and talks at length about the music world's reaction to the powerful King Crimson sound. He recalls Jimi Hendrix making the statement during this interview.

10. Finish this Robert Fripp quote: "Tuning a Mellotron...".

From Quiz The Great Court of King Crimson

Answer: doesn't

Mellotrons were expensive and notorious for frequently breaking down; many bands tried to bring several on tour to cope with this problem.

11. After the collapse of the original King Crimson, the first new musician Robert Fripp hired was Mel Collins, of the band Circus. What instrument(s) did he play?

From Quiz The Revolving Door of King Crimson

Answer: saxophone and flute

Mel Collins made three albums with King Crimson (four, if you count the hard-to-find live album "Earthbound"), and has been a much sought-after session musician ever since.

12. What could you see on the cover of the first record?

From Quiz King Crimson Albums & Facts

Answer: A screaming face

The cover painting was made by computer programmer Barry Godber. That was the only album cover he ever made. He died in Feb. 1970.

13. King Crimson sure has gone through a lot of members! Who is the only original member still in the band?

From Quiz King Crimson....Past and Present

Answer: Robert Fripp

Robert Fripp has essentially been the backbone of King Crimson since its beginning.

14. He was the bassist for the reforming of King Crimson in 1981 and played on the albums "Discipline", "Beat", and "Three of A Perfect Pair", as well as other, later albums. Who was he?

From Quiz King Crimson- Prog Rock Geniuses

Answer: Tony Levin

Tony Levin is considered one of the best bass players in the history of rock, by musicians. Tony has played with Peter Gabriel, Paul Simon, Alice Cooper, Lou Reed, John Lennon, Pink Floyd, Steps Ahead, and many, many others. Tony is a master of the traditional electric bass and one of the first players and innovators of the Chapman Stick. Stanley Clarke is a jazz fusion icon and one of the best players in the world. John Wetton played bass and sang vocals with King Crimson from 1972-1974 and is a favorite among Crimson fans. Trey Gunn is a more recent addition to King Crimson, first appearing on the band's "Vroom" album in 1994.

15. Although King Crimson's third studio album, "Lizard", primarily features Gordon Haskell on lead vocals, the frontman from another prominent band sang on the title track's opening section, "Prince Rupert Awakes." Who was it?

From Quiz The Great Court of King Crimson

Answer: Jon Anderson

Jon Anderson was, of course, the lead vocalist of Yes.

16. After the 1971 "Islands" tour, every member of King Crimson except Robert Fripp quit, to form a new band with a musician who was well-known on the British blues scene. Who was this musician?

From Quiz The Revolving Door of King Crimson

Answer: Alexis Korner

Live recordings from the "Islands" tour show that Mel Collins, Boz Burrell and Ian Wallace were taking King Crimson in a bluesy direction (their live renditions of "In the Court of the Crimson King" were very different from and much earthier than the original version), so it's appropriate that they teamed up with Korner. After their departure, Robert Fripp was all alone with nothing but legal rights to the name "King Crimson." One might have expected him to pack it in, but instead, he assembled a new King Crimson, with John Wetton on bass and vocals, David Cross on violin, and the zany Jamie Muir on assorted percussion instruments. He also lured drummer Bill Bruford away from Yes.

17. Which live record was later deleted?

From Quiz King Crimson Albums & Facts

Answer: Earthbound

It was deleted due to the sound quality. The good news: it will soon be re-released on CD!

18. Who provided the guest vocals in "Prince Rupert Awakes" off of the album "Lizard"?

From Quiz King Crimson....Past and Present

Answer: Jon Anderson of Yes

King Crimson and Yes had other connections, too. Bill Bruford, the drummer for King Crimson since 1973, was with Yes up until that point.

19. Which King Crimson song contains what Fripp considers the hardest guitar piece he has ever played?

From Quiz The Great Court of King Crimson

Answer: Fracture

The part to which Fripp refers has been dubbed "moto perpetuo." "Fracture" was a concert staple in the mid-70's and continues to be a fan favorite.

20. Who joined King Crimson for the making of their "Larks Tongues in Aspic" album, but quit shortly afterward to join a Buddhist monastery?

From Quiz The Revolving Door of King Crimson

Answer: Percussionist Jamie Muir

Muir played an odd assortment of percussion instruments from around the world. "Larks Tongues in Aspic Part 1" begins with a lengthy solo by Muir on the thumb piano.

21. On which album can you hear Jon Anderson of Yes sing?

From Quiz King Crimson Albums & Facts

Answer: Lizard

The title track, "Lizard", is also the longest song King Crimson made.

22. Who provided the vocals for King Crimson from 1981 to 2003?

From Quiz King Crimson....Past and Present

Answer: Adrian Belew & Belew

The first album Belew provided vocals for was "Discipline". He also wrote all the lyrics following albums.

23. He played electric guitar and lead vocals for King Crimson from 1981-2003. Who was he?

From Quiz King Crimson- Prog Rock Geniuses

Answer: Adrian Belew

Adrian Belew has recorded and toured with bands such as Talking Heads, Frank Zappa, and Nine Inch Nails. His complicated style and, at times, humorous vocals made the albums "Discipline", "Beat," and "Three of a Perfect Pair" stand out from previous Crimson albums. Steve Howe is the virtuoso lead guitarist from Yes, Steve Hackett played with Genesis from 1972-1977, and John Etheridge was guitarist for Soft Machine from 1975-78 and joined the band again in 2015.

24. Who penned the lyrics to the chorus of 1973's "The Great Deceiver?"

From Quiz The Great Court of King Crimson

Answer: Robert Fripp

They would be the only lyrics Fripp ever wrote.

25. What hard rock band did King Crimson tour with in the North-Western US in summer 2001?

From Quiz King Crimson....Past and Present

Answer: Tool

Tool, especially the lead singer Maynard James Keenan, cites King Crimson as one of their greatest influences.

26. Which was the first King Crimson album to feature the same personnel as the preceding release?

From Quiz The Great Court of King Crimson

Answer: Beat

King Crimson saw a seemingly endless revolving door of members through the years. It was not until 1981 that the exact same lineup played on consecutive albums.

27. The song 'Book of Saturday' was on this album.

From Quiz King Crimson Albums & Facts

Answer: Lark's Tongues in Aspic

The song 'Book of Saturday' stands out on the album. The reasons are many, the shortness of the song, the beauty of the song. The lyrics. Take a pick and listen to it yourself to decide ;)

28. Who has been the producer of King Crimson's albums since 1994, starting with "Vrooom"?

From Quiz King Crimson....Past and Present

Answer: David Bottrill

David Bottrill is also the producer for Tool, giving the two bands a further connection.

29. For what did Bill Bruford receive special acknowledgements on the 1973 track "Trio?"

From Quiz The Great Court of King Crimson

Answer: For not playing

"Trio" was a live improvisation from the album "Starless and Bible Black." Though present on stage, Bruford elected not to play for the song's duration, allowing the track to take on a very tranquil atmosphere.

30. Long before he joined King Crimson, Adrian Belew was singing with a Top 40 cover band at a Holiday Inn. What famous musician discovered him there, and offered him a job?

From Quiz The Revolving Door of King Crimson

Answer: Frank Zappa

Singer-guitarist Belew played in Frank Zappa's band for several years. He later played for David Bowie, Laurie Anderson and the Tom Tom Club.

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