Interviews with 'That Awful Man', as Robert Fripp refers to himself these days, are rare, and until now he hasn't allowed his collection of guitars to be photographed, including the one pictured opposite that was used on so many classic Crimson albums. "I don't collect guitars," he tells us as we settle down to talk, "they are merely tools that I use in my work." However, we note that the famous '59 Les Paul Custom appears to be in almost pristine condition - in fact, it's still shiny even after years on the road. "One careful owner," he quips with a wry grin.
Anyone who wants to assess Fripp's skills as a guitarist need only check out Fracture from the King Crimson album Starless And Bible Black. The Moto Perpetuo from that piece is a legendary example of his crosspicking finesse. His guitar journey began with lessons that found him playing some challenging classical pieces with a plectrum, instead of the more conventional fingerstyle. This influence reached into the Crimson repertoire and is apparent in 1970's Peace - A Theme from In The Wake Of Poseidon. "Yes, Carcassi Etude No 7, the middle section," he tells us. "You probably wouldn't be able to see the connection, but Peace - A Theme wouldn't have quite ended up that way unless I practised the Carcassi Etudes for fingerstyle, but with a pick because crosspicking was my speciality."
Now that Crimson has entered another hiatus, the rendition of Starless in Japan last December being regarded by all as the last we'll hear from the band, it's time to catch up with Crimson's only permanent member. And we start our conversation at the very beginning...
How did you become interested in music - and specifically the guitar in the first place?
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Denne historien er fra Summer 2022-utgaven av Guitarist.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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BASIC INSTINCTS
The sophisticated range of Swedish-designed guitars made by .strandberg* has lured thousands of players over to the headless side. But the company's new stripped-back Boden Essential model is its strongest play yet for the hearts and minds of mainstream players
Second String
As PRS's more affordable USA-made S2 line moves into its second decade, the series gets a revamp with - at last - USA-made pickups and electronics. What took so long?
PABLO VAN DE POEL
When a band from The Netherlands describes themselves as 'raw, psychedelic Southern rock', it may take a little cognitive processing to work out what that might mean. One listen to DeWolff, however, and you will be duly transported to the 60s for some fuzzed-out rock 'n' roll
THE BERNIE MARSDEN COLLECTION
With a fabulous collection of the late Bernie Marsden's guitars, amps and other highly collectable music gear going under the auctioneer's hammer on 11 June, we were thrilled to have the chance of a sneak preview
LENNY KRAVITZ
Some 35 years since the release of his debut LP, for his 12th record, Blue Electric Light, Lenny Kravitz is back again with equal doses of vigour and vibes, using vintage guitars and the purest valve amps
GEORGE VJESTICA
You may not know him at first glance, but the work of Stoke-on-Trent native George Vjestica has probably impacted some of your favourite albums and movies
DICKEY BETTS
Emerging from the shadow of Duane to write signature hit Ramblin' Man, the Allman Brothers guitarist was a hard-living pioneer of Southern rock
NICK GUPPY
It is with great sadness that we report the passing of our highly valued amplifier guru, who died suddenly in April
Lucky Break
Alex Bishop blends old wood with new in an attempt to fix a severely damaged guitar headstock
Tones Behind The Tracks
Cedric Burnside learnt at the knee of his fabled grandfather, but his latest album is a hill country blues masterclass on his own terms