King Crimson Comes To Clearwater; Interview With Tony Levin

CLEARWATER, FL — After releasing its critically acclaimed album, "In the Court of the Crimson King," more than 50 years ago, the rock band King Crimson isn't ready to put away their instruments. And the band's solid fan base isn't ready to see the band retire.

This month, King Crimson returns to the stage, kicking off their national tour with their first concert at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater Thursday at 7:30 p.m. This is the seventh year the band has toured since returning to the stage in 2014, a run only interrupted by the coronavirus lockdown last year.

While retaining the fan base they attracted when King Crimson toured with the Rolling Stones in 1969, they've now caught the attention of a whole new generation of fans, something guitarist Robert Fripp noted after the band’s performance in Pompeii, Italy’s famous amphitheater.

“In Pompeii, a large percentage of the audience was young couples; KC moved into the mainstream in Italy. I walked onstage knowing that this band's position in the world has changed level," he said.

"We have, in the last years, noticed the Crimson’s audiences are younger, and more mixed. It used to be mostly guys back in the '80s," said bassist Tony Levin in an interview with Patch. "We’re happy about that, of course, though I wouldn’t hazard a guess as to what brought about the change. It wasn’t a hit record, that’s for sure."

The band’s shows regularly include material from 12 of its 13 studio albums, including many songs from their seminal 1969 album, "In the Court of the Crimson King," described by The Who's Pete Townshend as an “uncanny masterpiece.”

Although they continue to perform the classics that won them fame, King Crimson has added new instrumentals and songs, as well as compositions by the three drummers, Pat Mastelotto, Gavin Harrison and Jeremy Stacey.

Fripp, though best known for his work in King Crimson, 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.

Tony Levin has been a member of King Crimson since 1981. Internationally renowned and constantly in demand for his distinctive bass work, he also tours 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 ex-KC alumni group, 21st Century Schizoid Band between 2002 and 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 from 1970 to 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 others, before returning to King Crimson in 2014.

Gavin Harrison joined King Crimson in 2007, playing a series of dates in the U.S. the following year. A respected author and tutor, he has also recorded three albums with The Pineapple Thief, though Harrison is probably best-known for his work with Porcupine Tree. Modern Drummer magazine placed him in their Top 50 Drummers of All Time.

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 and Noel Gallagher. On March 7, 2016, King Crimson 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 brief return to the band as a keyboard player.

For Levin, who sometimes exchanges his bass for a Chapman Stick, a touch-style guitar that has both bass and guitar strings, said performing music on stage never gets old.

"Most of us who do this touring are pretty grateful to get to play the music we love, and to share it with audiences who enjoy it, so no, it doesn’t get old," he said. "In fact, I think we all learned last year, concert goers and musicians, just how precious the live music experience is to us."

Special guest California Guitar Trio will open the show for King Crimson.

Tickets are $53.25, $73.25, $93.25 and $133.25. Click here.