2024 marked 50 years since King Crimson released their landmark seventh studio album, Red. Truthfully, for a band with such a high quality of work, every album was a landmark. What made Red different from what came before and even what would come after is it marked an end of an era. Through its various permutations, King Crimson had endured since its 1969 debut album. With Red, the band was working as a trio for the first and last time, the line-up consisting of Robert Fripp (guitar), John Wetton (bass/vocals), and Bill Bruford (drums). The result would be the hardest and heaviest album of King Crimson’s career up to that point; it would also be their final album until a new line-up would reemerge in 1981 with a radically different sound.
Drummer Bill Bruford was a key component in King Crimson throughout the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s. He also happens to be a founding member of Yes, who longtime readers of Biff Bam Pop! know to be my favourite band of all time (with KC not far behind.) As you can imagine, I was thrilled to get the chance to talk to the legendary drummer about not only the 50th anniversary of King Crimson’s Red, but also his return to playing the drums after 17 years away from the kit. He also recently released The Best of Bill Bruford, a 3 CD collection of his solo work.
I was very lucky to recently enjoy a chat with Bill Bruford, who was generous with his time and recollections of the past along with thoughts of his present. You can watch it below, which also features a guest appearance from our very own Anya.
You can purchase the 50th anniversary version of King Crimson’s Red here.
You can purchase The Best of Bill Bruford: The Summerfold and Winterfold Year here.
You can purchase Making A Song And Dance: A Complete-Career Collection here.
Thanks to Bill Bruford for his time, and to Hik Sasaki for helping make the interview possible.
