Robert Fripp announces King Crimson supergroup Beat
Outside of his later ventures as a solo artist, King Crimson mastermind Robert Fripp has announced the formation of a new supergroup named Beat. The lineup is set to feature a who’s who of favourites from both progressive rock as well as virtuoso musicians like Steve Vai.
Posting on his Facebook, Fripp said that the supergroup began in the mind of former King Crimson guitarist Adrian Belew, saying, “This is the project that Adrian Belew called me about last Autumn, a project which I support and fully encourage, and discussed with Steve Vai recently… Even, I suggested the name”.
Although Fripp will not be involved in any of the band’s shows, he has given his blessing to the band to play his material. Rounding out the lineup includes other prog rock favourites such as Danny Carey of Tool behind the drumkit and King Crimson alumnus Tony Levin on bass.
According to Fripp, Vai was the only person that he had in mind for filling his lead guitarist slot, explaining, “Steve Vai asked me what I thought when Adrian Belew told me Steve would be the guitarist. My reply: Steve Vai is the only guitarist who could play my parts”.
Of course, this would be far from the first time that Vai has taken over for another guitar legend. Before he had started working with progressive musicians, Vai had been known as a sideman for Frank Zappa and had also rounded out David Lee Roth’s solo band, where he was expected to play with the same ferocity as Eddie Van Halen.
The recent tour is not meant to be a catch-all of every period of King Crimson. As the band prepare to take to the road, they will be playing mainly selections from the prog rock band’s run of studio albums in the 1980s like Three of a Perfect Pair and Beat.
When asked about the recent tour, Fripp said he had no problem with other artists carrying on the legacy he started with the band. By his explanation, the music was intended to be shared with the world, and he welcomes the idea of each player reimagining the tunes in the way they see fit.
There have been no confirmed tour dates for when the band will take to the road, but there has been an announcement that one show in San Diego will take place on September 17th.
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