To celebrate its 50th anniversary, legendary progressive rock band King Crimson has announced 50 Concerts for 2019. The present eight musician line-up will perform 50 concerts throughout three continents as part of their 2019 Celebration tour.
The band’s packed three-hour shows regularly include material from twelve of their thirteen studio albums, including many of the songs from their essential 1969 album In The Court of the Crimson King, described by Pete Townshend, as an “uncanny masterpiece”. The new 8-piece line-up plays many historic pieces which Crimson have never played live, as well as new arrangements of Crimson classics. There are also new instrumentals and songs, as well as the compositions by the three drummers, Pat Mastelotto, Gavin Harrison and Jeremy Stacey, which are a regular highlight. A unique show, where eight of the best rock musicians in the world play music without disruption or embellishment.
The lineup includes:
Robert Fripp, although best known for his work in King Crimson, he has contributed to numerous albums by players as diverse as Brian Eno, David Bowie, Peter Gabriel, Blondie, Talking Heads, Daryl Hall, The Roches, Peter Hammill, Keith Tippett, David Sylvian, The Orb, and The Grid. His 1979 solo album, Exposure was described as “the Sergeant Pepper of avant punk.” He has appeared twice in Rolling Stone magazine’s 100 Greatest Guitarist of All Time poll, although Fripp claims these are likely to have been mistakes by the typesetter.
Tony Levin has been a member of King Crimson since 1981. Internationally renowned and constantly in-demand for his distinctive bass work, he also toured with Peter Gabriel with whom he has worked since 1977. He has appeared on albums by Paul Simon, John Lennon, David Bowie and countless others and recently formed his own band, Stick Men alongside Crimson drummer, Pat Mastelotto.
Jakko Jakszyk was a member of Level 42, before working with Mel Collins as part of former-KC alumni group, 21st Century Schizoid Band between 2002 – 2004. His solo album, The Bruised Romantic Glee Club (2006) was his first recorded collaboration with Fripp, followed by A Scarcity of Miracles in 2011. An acclaimed producer in his own right, Jakszyk has recently mixed Jethro Tull’s Ian Anderson’s UK Top 20 album, Homo Erraticus.
Mel Collins was previously a member of King Crimson 1970 – 1972 appearing on In The Wake Of Poseidon (1970), Lizard (1970), Islands (1971), Earthbound (1972) as well as a guest appearance on Red (1974), the final King Crimson album of the 1970s. He subsequently worked with The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters, Dire Straits, Eric Clapton and many others, before returning to King Crimson in 2014.
Gavin Harrison joined King Crimson in 2007, playing a series of dates in the USA the following year. A respected author and tutor, he has also recorded three albums with The Pineapple Thief, even though Harrison is probably best-known for his work with Porcupine Tree.
Pat Mastelotto joined King Crimson in 1994 after working with Robert Fripp and David Sylvian. A member of the hugely successful American 1980s group and MTV favorites, Mr. Mister, he is at home in both experimental music working with KTU as well as pop and rock appearing on albums by The Rembrandts, Hall And Oates and XTC.
Jeremy Stacey is a British drummer. His early work included the 1990s band, The Lemon Trees (with twin brother Paul Stacey on guitars, Guy Chambers and others) and Denzil. He has also played with Sheryl Crow, the Finn Brothers, Nick Harper, Noel Gallagher, and many more. On March 7, 2016, it was announced that he would be taking the place of Bill Rieflin as the center drummer on the 2016 King Crimson European tour, a position he retained even after Rieflin’s return to the band.
Bill Rieflin is a multi-instrumentalist but is primarily known for his drumming with Ministry and industrial rock outfit KMFDM. From 2003 until their dissolution in 2011 he played drums with REM. He recorded with Robert Fripp on Birth of a Giant and The Repercussions Of Angelic Behaviour (both 1999) and most recently in the ambient super-group, Slow Music in 2006 and 2014.
King Crimson 2019 Tour Dates:
June 10, 2019 – Haus Auensee, Leipzig
June 12, 2019 – Jahrhunderthalle, Frankfurt
June 13, 2019 – Jahrhunderthalle, Frankfurt
June 15, 2019 – Liederhalle, Stuttgart
June 16, 2019 – Liederhalle, Stuttgart
June 18, 2019 – Royal Albert Hall, London
June 19, 2019 – Royal Albert Hall, London
June 20, 2019 – Royal Albert Hall, London
June 22, 2019 – De Vereeniging, Nijmegen
June 23, 2019 – De Vereeniging, Nijmegen
June 26, 2019 – Teatr Roma, Warsaw
June 27, 2019 – Teatr Roma, Warsaw
June 29, 2019 – Zitadelle, Berlin
July 04, 2019 – Romisches Theater Augustusta Raurica, Basel
July 08, 2019 – Arena Di Verona, Verona
July 10, 2019 – Stupinigi Sonic Park, Torino
July 12, 2019 – Doctor Music Festival, Escalarre
July 13, 2019 – Doctor Music Festival, Escalarre
July 14, 2019 – Doctor Music Festival, Escalarre
July 18, 2019 – Arena Santa Giuliana, Perugia
August 23, 2019 – Teatro Metropolitan, Mexico City
August 24, 2019 – Teatro Metropolitan, Mexico City
August 27, 2019 – Teatro Diana, Guadalajara
August 29, 2019 – Teatro Metropolitan, Mexico City
September 03, 2019 – Greek Theatre, Los Angeles
September 05, 2019 – Fox Theater, Oakland
September 06, 2019 – Fox Theater, Oakland
September 08, 2019 – Paramount Theater, Denver
September 10, 2019 – Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, Chicago
September 12, 2019 – Warner Theatre, Washington D.C.
September 14, 2019 – Budweiser Stage, Toronto
September 17, 2019 – St Denis Theatre, Montreal
September 19, 2019 – Boch Center Wang Theater, Boston
September 21, 2019 – Radio City Music Hall, New York City
September 23, 2019 – The Met, Philadelphia
September 25, 2019 – Hard Rock Rocksino, Cleveland
September 27, 2019 – The Ryman Auditorium, Nashville
September 29, 2019 – The Cobb Center, Atlanta
Oct 06, 2019 – Sunset Stage Rock In Rio – Rio De Janeiro