King Crimson- Prog Rock Geniuses Quiz

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.

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.

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.

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.

Answer: False

The song "Ladies of the Road" appears on the fourth King Crimson album, "Islands". It caused a stir among fans and FM radio stations due to the content of the song being overtly sexual. Peter Sinfield provides vocals on the album.

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.

Answer: In the Wake of Poseidon

Bill Bruford is often considered THE drummer for King Crimson because his innovative and polyrhythmic style complimented Fripp's guitar work. Bruford was/is a technically proficient drummer whose style exemplified both the band's soft, intricate songs as well as its hard-driving, edgier pieces. Michael Giles did the drum work for King Crimson's second album "In the Wake of Poseidon."

Answer: False

The 1995 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees consisted of The Allman Brothers Band, Al Green, Janis Joplin, Led Zeppelin, Martha and the Vandellas, Neil Young, and Frank Zappa.

Answer: Discipline

"Indiscipline" is an experimental piece that appears of the album "Discipline". The drum time in 4/4 is juxtaposed with the 15/8 time played on guitar. Combine this with Bill Bruford's electronic drum kit and Adrian Belew's seemingly random lyrics, and you have a chaotic, yet strangely catchy song. To counter "Indiscipline", the band presents the intricate and meticulously executed "Discipline." This piece is a tribute to the band's ability to play in difficult, uncommon time signatures.

The piece moves through a series of time changes. Everything from 4/4, 5/8 and 15/16 times are heard in this complex instrumental piece.

Answer: Red

The album "Red" is dark, powerful, and hard. It was a critical success and marked the end of that particular incarnation of King Crimson. Robert Fripp and Bill Bruford would return, sans Wetton, after a seven year hiatus, adding Adrian Belew and Tony Levin to the line up for another revival of King Crimson in 1981.