Mel Collins of King Crimson Interview Show
King Crimson may be the musical force that kicked off the "Progressive Rock" sub-genre, but it is unlikely that the word "noodly" would be ascribed to this fount of creativity, expressing itself in both lovely ballads and rock juggernauts. Their 1969 debut, "In the Court of the Crimson King," is rather flawless as an introduction to a band led by the mysterious and often controlling guitarist Robert Fripp, who has paved the way to an art rock incorporating jazz, folk, classical and the rumblings of heavy metal. Mach 1 of Crimson lasted for seven studio albums from '69-'74, with a rotating membership that included Greg Lake (ELP), Bill Bruford (Yes), Ian McDonald (Foreigner), Boz Burrell (Bad Company) and John Wetton (U.K., Asia). Mel Collins (saxophone, flute, keyboards), our interviewee, joined as a session man for two of these early albums ("In the Wake of Poseidon" and "Red") and was a band member for two more ("Lizard" and "Islands").