The inscrutable King Crimson exposed by their documentary-maker Toby Amies

“Being on tour with King Crimson,” in the words of their film director, “is like being with the school rugby team and, at the last minute, the games teacher falls ill so they send them out with the maths master. But the team starts winning ...”

Is there another band remotely like them? Their leader believes in discipline and cold showers in the morning. He practices four hours a day. Life in the group was “wretched” from 1969 to 2013. Adrian Belew says it made his hair fall out. The running gag among its 22 one-time members is “you’re irreplaceable, just like the last bloke”. With great bravery and patience, Toby Amies has made a documentary about them, ‘In The Court Of The Crimson King: King Crimson at 50’, and talks to us here about what he discovered. There’s much to be enjoyed, not least…

… the fact that Robert Fripp commissioned the film and for months refused to take part in it.

… the encounter with Sister Dana, the prog rock nun from Norway.

… the film’s reflections upon “the metronome of mortality”.

.. the thoughts and perspectives of current and former band members, particularly Bill Bruford, Bill Reiflin, Jakko Jakszyk and Ian McDonald who “broke Robert’s heart” in 1969 and is still touchingly apologetic.

… the religious ecstasy pursued by their audience.

… how King Crimson’s music feels like a deep-body tissue massage.

… and the extraordinary two-minute pause that a motionless Fripp leaves before answering one of the film’s questions.

It’s very entertaining, not least because it was made by someone who wasn’t a fan but simply curious and had questions he wanted answered. This original and idiosyncratic film suits them perfectly.

Screenings here …

https://www.itcotck.com/screenings

@TobyAmies

https://linktr.ee/tobyamies

@itcotckdoc

@ITCOTCKfilm

https://linktr.ee/itcotck

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