Robert Fripp facts for kids

Robert Fripp (born May 16, 1946) is an English musician, songwriter, and record producer. He is most famous as the guitarist and founder of the progressive rock band King Crimson. He has also worked with many other famous artists like David Bowie, Blondie, Brian Eno, and Peter Gabriel. Robert Fripp even helped create the startup sound for Windows Vista! He has played on over 700 official music releases.

Fripp's music often uses unusual rhythms. He also invented a special way of using tape loops called "Frippertronics." Later, he updated this to a digital system called "Soundscapes." He also created a special way to tune his guitar called "New Standard Tuning."

Robert Fripp is married to the English singer Toyah Willcox.

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Robert Fripp was born in Wimborne Minster, England. His parents gave him a guitar for Christmas when he was eleven years old. He quickly knew that playing guitar would be his life. He took lessons and was inspired by rock and roll guitarists like Elvis Presley's Scotty Moore. He also loved jazz musicians like Charlie Parker.

When he was fifteen, Fripp joined his first band, the Ravens. Later, he played in a rock and roll band called The League of Gentlemen. Even though he thought about studying business, he decided to become a professional musician at age seventeen.

In college, Fripp continued to play music. He met other musicians he would work with later, like John Wetton and Greg Lake. He was deeply moved by music from artists like the Beatles and Jimi Hendrix. He realized that music was calling him.

King Crimson and Early Projects

Forming King Crimson

In 1967, Fripp joined brothers Peter and Michael Giles to form Giles, Giles and Fripp. They released one album. But Fripp wanted to create more complex music. So, in 1968, he formed a new band called King Crimson.

The first King Crimson lineup included Fripp, Ian McDonald, Michael Giles, Greg Lake, and Peter Sinfield. Their first album, In the Court of the Crimson King, came out in 1969. It was a huge success and is seen as a very important album in progressive rock music.

Changes and New Sounds

After their first American tour, the band changed members. Fripp became the main leader of King Crimson. He liked to call his role "quality control." The band released more albums like In the Wake of Poseidon and Lizard. They explored different styles, mixing rock with jazz and free jazz.

By 1971, Fripp was the only original member left. With new musicians like Jamie Muir, David Cross, John Wetton, and Bill Bruford, King Crimson made three more groundbreaking albums: Larks' Tongues in Aspic, Starless and Bible Black, and Red. Fripp decided to stop the band in 1974. This was the first of many breaks for King Crimson.

Solo Work and Collaborations

Exploring New Sounds

Even when King Crimson was not active, Fripp worked on many other projects. He played with Brian Eno, creating experimental music. They made albums like (No Pussyfooting) (1972) and Evening Star (1974). On these albums, Fripp used a special sound technique called "Frippertronics." This system used tape loops to create long, echoing sounds.

In 1975, Fripp took a break from music to study philosophy. He returned to music the next year. He played guitar on Peter Gabriel's first solo album. He even toured with Gabriel, but he used a fake name and hid on stage!

Fripp also played on David Bowie's famous album "Heroes" in 1977. He worked with many other artists, including Blondie and Talking Heads.

First Solo Album

In 1979, Fripp released his first solo album, Exposure. It featured many of the musicians he had worked with. He then went on a "Frippertronics" tour. He also released God Save the Queen/Under Heavy Manners in 1980. This album showed two different ways of using Frippertronics. One side was "pure Frippertronics," and the other was "Discotronics," which mixed his sound with disco music.

Fripp also formed a band called League of Gentlemen. It was an instrumental dance band that toured in 1980.

King Crimson Returns and Guitar Craft

King Crimson's New Style

In 1981, King Crimson came back with a new lineup. It included Fripp, Bill Bruford, Tony Levin, and Adrian Belew. This version of the band had a new sound. It mixed influences from Indonesian music, new wave, and classical minimalism. Both guitarists used guitar synthesizers to create unique sounds. They released three albums: Discipline, Beat, and Three of a Perfect Pair. Fripp then ended the band again in 1984.

During this time, Fripp also made two albums with Andy Summers from The Police.

Teaching Guitar Craft

The first Guitar Craft course began on March 25, 1985, at the Claymont Court site in Charles Town, West Virginia.

In 1985, Robert Fripp started a special guitar teaching program called Guitar Craft. He wanted to teach guitar using ideas from his philosophical studies. A group of musicians who came from Guitar Craft, called "the League of Crafty Guitarists," released several albums. The members of the California Guitar Trio are also former Guitar Craft students.

Fripp suggested that Guitar Craft stop in 2010 after 25 years. In 2022, he published a book about Guitar Craft called The Guitar Circle.

Soundscapes and Later Collaborations

Digital Soundscapes

In 1994, Fripp started recording solo again. He used an updated version of his "Frippertronics" technique. This new system, called "Soundscapes," used digital technology instead of old tape machines. He released many "Soundscapes" albums, which feature long, flowing musical pieces.

Working with David Sylvian and Others

Fripp worked a lot with David Sylvian in the 1990s. They released a collaborative album called The First Day in 1993. Fripp also played on albums by the Future Sound of London and the Orb. He even worked with Brian Eno again on a CD-ROM project.

King Crimson's Later Years

Trey Gunn, Adrian Belew, and Fripp from King Crimson in 2003.

In late 1994, Fripp brought King Crimson back together. This time, they had a "double trio" lineup with six members. They released the VROOOM EP and the THRAK album.

After some changes, King Crimson continued as a four-piece band. They released albums like the construKction of light (2000) and The Power to Believe (2003). The band took another break in 2010.

Other Projects and Return to King Crimson

In 2004, Fripp toured with famous guitarists Joe Satriani and Steve Vai as part of the G3 series. He also helped create the startup sound for Windows Vista.

Fripp announced in 2012 that he was retiring from being a professional musician. However, this retirement was short. In 2013, he announced that King Crimson would return as a seven-member band. This new lineup included Fripp, Tony Levin, Pat Mastelotto, Gavin Harrison, Mel Collins, Jakko Jakszyk, and Bill Rieflin. This version of the band toured from 2014 to 2021, playing old and new songs.

Guitar Technique and Equipment

The knotwork symbol of Guitar Craft.

Robert Fripp started playing guitar at age eleven. He was naturally left-handed but learned to play right-handed. He developed a special technique called "crosspicking," which is one of his unique skills.

In 1985, Fripp started using a special guitar tuning he called "New Standard Tuning." This tuning is also taught in his Guitar Craft courses. Fripp's guitar style is different from many rock guitarists. It is influenced by avant-garde jazz and European classical music. He plays very fast and uses unusual musical patterns.

When he performs, Fripp usually sits on a stool. This is unusual for a rock musician.

For his guitars, Fripp used Gibson Les Paul guitars in the early years of King Crimson. Later, he used special guitars made by other companies. He also recommended a specific Ovation acoustic guitar for his Guitar Craft students.

Personal Life

Fripp married singer and actress Toyah Willcox on May 16, 1986. They have lived in several places in England. They do not have children. They plan to leave their money to a musical education trust for children.

Fripp is also a patron for a dance theater and a guitar school. He sometimes works as a motivational speaker. His uncle, Alfie Fripp, was a famous World War II prisoner of war.

During the COVID-19 lockdowns, Fripp and his wife Toyah became very popular on YouTube. They uploaded funny videos of themselves covering famous songs, usually called Toyah and Robert's Sunday Lunch. These videos became very popular, and they even toured performing these songs in 2023.

Awards and Recognitions

An asteroid, 81947 Fripp, was named after Robert Fripp in 2019.

Rolling Stone magazine ranked him as one of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time. He is also ranked among the top 50 guitarists by Gibson, a famous guitar company.

Discipline Global Mobile

In 1992, Robert Fripp and David Singleton started their own independent music company called Discipline Global Mobile (DGM). DGM releases music by Fripp, King Crimson, and other artists. DGM aims to be a fair and ethical business in the music industry. They believe that artists should keep all their copyrights.

DGM also publishes an online diary by Fripp, where he shares his thoughts. They have a forum where fans can ask questions and leave comments.

Protecting His Music

Fripp has been very active in protecting his music from being used without permission. He has spoken out against companies that upload music illegally. He believes that unauthorized streaming or giving away MP3s is like stealing. He has worked to make sure artists are paid fairly for their work.

Discography

Robert Fripp has played on and produced many recordings. He has contributed to over 700 official releases.

Giles, Giles & Fripp

• 1968 : The Cheerful Insanity of Giles, Giles and Fripp

Solo Albums

Studio Albums

• 1979 : Exposure
• 1980 : God Save the Queen/Under Heavy Manners
• 1981 : Let the Power Fall: An Album of Frippertronics

Live Albums (Soundscapes)

• 1994 : 1999: Soundscapes Live in Argentina
• 1995 : Radiophonics: 1995 Soundscapes volume 1
• 1995 : A Blessing of Tears: 1995 Soundscapes volume 2
• 1996 : That Which Passes: 1995 Soundscapes volume 3

With Brian Eno

• 1973 : (No Pussyfooting)
• 1975 : Evening Star
• 2004 : The Equatorial Stars

With David Sylvian

• 1993 : The First Day
• 1994 : Damage: Live

With Andy Summers

• 1982 : I Advance Masked
• 1984 : Bewitched

The League of Gentlemen

• 1981 : The League of Gentlemen

The League of Crafty Guitarists

• 1986 : Live !
• 1991 : Live II

With Theo Travis

• 2008 : Thread
• 2012 : Follow

Other Important Recordings

• 1986 : The Lady or the Tiger (With Toyah Willcox)
• 1994 : FFWD (With The Orb)
• 2011 : A Scarcity of Miracles (With Mel Collins & Jakko Jakszyk)

Collaborations (Selected)

• 1970 : H to He, Who Am the Only One : Van der Graaf Generator
• 1977 : "Heroes" : David Bowie
• 1977 : Peter Gabriel I : Peter Gabriel
• 1978 : Parallel Lines : Blondie
• 1979 : Fear of Music : Talking Heads
• 1979 : The Roches : The Roches
• 2006 : Fear of a Blank Planet : Porcupine Tree

Production (Selected)

• 1971 : Septober Energy : Centipede
• 1978 : Peter Gabriel : Peter Gabriel
• 1979 : The Roches : The Roches

Images for kids

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  Fripp, on tour with King Crimson, in 1974.

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  Later versions of Discipline featured this design by Steve Ball.

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  Fripp in 2007.