Jakko Jakszyk
Guitarist|October 2019
It’s been 50 years since King Crimson released seminal album In The Court Of The Crimson King and so, as they prepare to blow out the candles on their celebratory cake, we enlist the services of Jakko Jakszyk to give a personal overview of the legendary band’s half century…
David Mead & Jamie Dickson
Jakko Jakszyk

Jakko Jakszyk joined King Crimson back in 2013, but spiritually he’s been with the band for longer. At one time he even formed a tribute outfit with some Crimson alumni – The 21st Century Schizoid Band – to play the band’s music, little thinking that one day he’d get the invitation from Fripp to join Crim’s division one.

“I was about 11, I think when my next-door neighbor played me …Schizoid Man,” Jakko says. “It completely blew me away. He’d been playing me music from the 60s, which I liked, and then this came out of nowhere.”

Many fans of the band remember where they were when they heard the opening riff to 21st Century Schizoid Man followed by Robert Fripp’s aggressive fuzz chords and Greg Lake’s distorted vocals. It was music designed to make an impression, as was the album’s closer, The Court Of The Crimson King, with the Mellotron fanfare and Pete Sinfield’s otherworld lyrics.

Much of the music that came out in the late 1960s was different, but Crimson was something totally new. “This was from a completely different place,” Jakko tells us. “The way Robert played the guitar, the tone he had, nobody was doing that.

It was completely unique to him, I think. His influences and inspiration were from a more European classical tradition than a blues-based American one.”

Since those days, the band has been through various line-ups with landmark albums such as Larks’ Tongues In Aspic, Red, Three Of A Perfect Pair, Thrak and The Power To Believe. But it’s only recently that the current touring band have begun to embrace the back catalogue as a whole. These days, if you get to see the band live, you’ll witness the band’s sonic history unfolding in front of your ears.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der October 2019-Ausgabe von Guitarist.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der October 2019-Ausgabe von Guitarist.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS GUITARISTAlle anzeigen
QUICK CHANGE
Guitarist

QUICK CHANGE

As Gibson finally adds some Quick Connect pickups to its Pickup Shop line-up, Dave Burrluck revisits this simple no-solder method to mod your Modern guitar

time-read
6 Minuten  |
November 2024
Return Of The Rack
Guitarist

Return Of The Rack

A revered rackmount digital delay makes a welcome comeback in pedal form.

time-read
4 Minuten  |
November 2024
Pure Filth
Guitarist

Pure Filth

This all-analogue preamp pedal based on Blues Saraceno's amp is a flexible powerhouse with a variety of roles.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 2024
Reptile Royalty
Guitarist

Reptile Royalty

From Queen to King - there's another Electro-Harmonix royal vying for the crown of octave distortion

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 2024
Tradition Revisited
Guitarist

Tradition Revisited

Line 6 refreshes its Helix-based modelling amp range by doubling the number of available amp voicings - and more

time-read
4 Minuten  |
November 2024
Ramble On
Guitarist

Ramble On

Furch's travel guitar folds down so you can transport it in its own custom backpack and, the company claims, it returns to pitch when you reassemble it. Innovation or gimmick?

time-read
5 Minuten  |
November 2024
Redrawing The 'Bird
Guitarist

Redrawing The 'Bird

A fascinating reimagining of one of Gibson's more out-there designs, the Gravitas sticks with vintage vibe and mojo. Oh, and that sound...

time-read
4 Minuten  |
November 2024
1965 Fender Jazz Bass
Guitarist

1965 Fender Jazz Bass

\"They made them later on, but it's not something I've ever seen this early.

time-read
3 Minuten  |
November 2024
Boss Cube Street II
Guitarist

Boss Cube Street II

Regular readers will know that the last time I took the Boss Cube Street II out, I was in rehearsal for a debut gig in London.

time-read
4 Minuten  |
November 2024
STILL CRAZY
Guitarist

STILL CRAZY

One of the most creative yet reliably great-sounding effects makers out there, Crazy Tube Circuits grew out of a fetish for old valve amps. We meet founder Christos Ntaifotis to find out more

time-read
8 Minuten  |
November 2024