Adrian Belew speaks up on Nine Inch Nails & Talking Heads | On The Record

[@jwchell]

Dude, Adrian shares something about NIN that he NEVER shared before, and right after he finishes, the interviewer moves on to something else. What a robot!

[@hotlanta35]

Talk about dropping the ball

[@19ninetynine]

I feel awful that he experienced that. You could tell he had a bad time being in the band/rehearsals, looks as if it's still hard to talk about it. NIN is my favourite band and I remember being really excited that Adrian was going to tour with them...

[@fatbackfunk]

Ok, it's not just me then, huh? haha.. WOW, man, that was painfully awkward, to say the least. I thought maybe they edited it that way i.e. edited out the guy's responses to each of Adrian's answers, though that would make absolutely no sense. hmm.. But yeah, extremely robotic.

[@allenk4471]

Respectfully disagree--yes, the NIN details were revealing but if an interviewer is going to cover that much ground (talking about Talking Heads, The Bears, King Crimson, custom guitars, Bowie, Zappa...) there isn't time to linger.

[@jublaim]

And it I think I can spot that Adrians eyes is wetting just a bit when sharing this; what a painful experience it must have been.

[@rickcook7308]

The 80s crimson with Adrian was incredible

[@Booogieman]

Live especially

[@daviddevilliers2828]

The best period of king crimson for me… I love this guy

[@rickg8015]

I like his 80’s solo stuff too..

[@rambleon2011]

Tickets on sale now for Adrian’s tour doing songs from 3 1980’s King Crimson albums.

[@-RandomBiz-]

He's touring the three crim albums with Steve Vai Tony Levin and Danny Carey of tool 🤯

[@TheRealTomWendel]

Adrian’s an icon- Zappa, Bowie, Talking Heads, King Crimson, the Bears, and his own fabulous work. He truly reinvented electric guitar as Zappa is widely noted to have said.

[@mor8286]

#LoneRhinoceros!

[@IndustryLeech]

Adrian's two guitar solos in 'The Great Curve' are probably my favorite solos ever recorded.

[@TundraMaster]

Great interview. The NIN story is incredibly sad. I would love to hear Trent's side of it, though. On paper, that should've been a killer collab.

[@joakinsa]

Adrian have been on and off part of Nine Inch Nails albums since 94, personally I think his contributions have been the most innovative parts on the songs he's been part of. I was also sad when I heard he wasn't gonna be on the band at the time.

[@TundraMaster]

The whole 2013 thing is weird. Why would anyone ask Adrian Belew to not be Adrien Belew and instead expect him to just play by-the-book (particularly if you had worked with him before)? He had more free reign in King Crimson and with Bowie, Talking Heads, etc. and obviously flourished to everyone's benefit as a result. Was Reznor put in a situation where he had to pick b/w Belew and Finck's vision for the band, and chose the latter? That scenario even seems weird. Who knows?

[@colinburroughs9871]

My main thought is that Adrian is too good for NIN, which was probably what Trent ran into, although I'm sure it wasn't contextualized that way. Put another way, it wasn't a fit. The stage presence for example was probably pretty divergent. Trent doing his angsty thing, being in costume on stage for it like it's still 1988 in all black, while Adrian likes to play gigs looking like he rolled out of bed.. and not that it's not there, but when I think NIN I don't think guitar. I'm sure Adrian thought that ended up being BS, but it never struck me as making much sense anyway.

[@Peter7966]

@@colinburroughs9871 Yes... Adrian is a massive talent, one with his own musical vision. I'm guessing his vision and personality collided with NIN band members. Maybe he was pulling the band too strongly in his direction.

[@joakinsa]

@@colinburroughs9871 agreed on Adrian been too good for NIN, Trent will always want to be the center of attention and it's his vision so I think that's fair too. Trent has also a lot of history discarding other people's work because he is a perfeccionist, so it has to fit with his vision, I guess Adrian didn't fit too well. And by the way I don't agree with NIN not been guitar driven, the most weird and eery guitar sounds I've heard have come from NIN songs, in fact on the songs Adrian has been part of.

[@harryberry474]

I've never seen a guitarist make a guitar sound the way Adrian can he can make unimaginable almost limitless sounds and has fun doing it and he makes it look easy. He's a true master of the craft. I've never seen him interviewed and seems very humble and friendly. He's one of the greatest guitar players I've ever seen, a true master.

[@petermorris925]

Absolute legend. One of the most underrated pioneers of rock and fusion music in history.

[@heygringo7]

The Great Curve is mind-blowing

[@pashapasovski5860]

Mind blowing, the first time I heard it I literally had an orgazam!

[@finnmcginn9931]

Crosseyed and Painless from Talking Heads Live in Rome 1980 is one of the greatest things on KZbin. The whole show is phenomenal. Belew's resume for the win.

[@crysstoll1191]

Indeed, that show is a masterpiece, my fav TH and fav Belew.

[@litedawg]

It makes my brain itch in a good way

[@reservoirdude92]

​@@crysstoll1191Born Under Punches really stole that night, IMO ❤

[@crysstoll1191]

Every time i saw them do CaP live, blew my head gasket.

[@KevinCloss]

My absolute idol. The one musician I would love to have a cup of coffee and a slice of time with. Thanks for this!

[@jerryoutlaw3396]

I love Adrian. He is a total sweetheart.

[@jeffwolinski2659]

What a frigging legend! And yes, The Bears are the most underappreciated band in history.

[@lobster4501]

This interview… Is exactly like talking to Adrian after his show❤ he is so nice I have seen him more than anybody starting with Frank’s 77… The Bears… King Crimson… And every solo or power trio show since then… He’s actually autograph my bootlegs from those Frank Zappa shows I saw, and I brought him a picture of all my guitars, and he signed it, saying “ he was jealous of my collection” lol😅 My favorite memory of me and Adrian was at the 2010 NAMM show him, and I both holding Parker stats and smiling at each other… I’m 73 years old… I’ve seen a lot of concerts… Adrian is my favorite person

[@BrotherLovenz]

That time from Zappa to Heads to Crimson that Belew became pure music and added stardust to everything… reminds me how great humans can be

[@briteness]

That Talking Heads Live in Rome video mentioned by Adrian is in fact fantastic!

[@BobSacamano666]

Hes probably the most down to earth musician ive ever met, treats all his fans with equality and respect. Such a nice guy.

[@Mr.S369]

Great interview. Adrian was probably the best thing that ever happened to King Crimson.

[@febercoyotefilms]

After Fripp right?

[@irrikirame]

Great to hear Adrian, but I d love to hear him about his work with Stewart Copeland and Mark King, and Laurie Anderson.

[@danburnes722]

I agree… this version of Darkness is just sublime. Adrian providing atmosphere to the song. kzbin.info/www/bejne/i5SxiJ93ZpZ_os0si=yMZ1LPdrKbs-cykM

[@jublaim]

Yep, Gizmodrome was fantastic and fun!

[@finnmcginn9931]

Check out "City of Tiny Lights, Frank Zappa, Palladium 1977 " o see Belew in all his jumpsuit sportin glory. Also, "Waiting Man, King Crimson Live in Frejus 1983". Adrian Belew is brilliant.

[@Soulventing]

Adrian's solo in Born under punches, is still amazing today.. He is the most amazing guitarist of our time..

[@TheFlutecart]

Incredible guitar player, Adrian Belew is always on my favorite list when asked about guitar players.

[@reidwhitton6248]

Great conversation! Of all the shows I attended over the past few years, the Adrian Belew Power Trio was the most fun. The music was fabulous and Adrian's sweetheart of a wife ran the merch table and sold me a couple of great CDs.

[@zendragonmindtuner6207]

I have so much love and respect for Adrian as a musician and a human being

[@MichProgNerd]

Adrian’s collaborations with Bowie (Lodger album), King Crimson, Paul Simon (Graceland album) and Porcupine Tree (Deadwing solo) are brilliant.

[@TC-ps9sd]

What a well spoken gentleman. I loved what Adrian created with King Crimson.

[@MrJasonbushey]

Man is such a humble genius! Love him!

[@mikel5582]

Adrian is like King Midas, whatever he touches turns to gold.

[@gregdoran5850]

An absolutely beautiful musician!!!

[@cosmicdrifter287]

This interview Belew me away!

[@epiphonium]

Saw Adrian Belew a few times and met him once at Sweetwater in 2018. I love his music !

[@MD-kk5ku]

Haven't seen Adrian interviewed in a while. Love it! Thank you for this!

[@Mr2it3881]

Damn... I'm surprised Trent wouldnt have told the band to screw off since Adrian already worked with Trent in the studio. Sad. I had no idea that happened.

[@leomilani_gtr]

I'm a hugebfan of this guy! He's absolutely brillant in so many ways! Long live, Adrian!

[@tevann17]

I saw and heard Adrian Belew With David Bowie/ stage tour in 1978. He was fantastic. His work on Remain in light, to years later, was a revelation.

[@sweetpain67]

Wow, what a fantastic discussion. From fan…to SUPERFAN. One of the most well spoken ANY classy guys in the budiness.

[@danburnes722]

Adrian brings so much joy when he performs. He always connects with the audience. All the greatest musicians of our day recognize Adrian’s gifts. Adrian brings talent and creativity to every project, but not the self absorbing ego that is part of so many bands. I have to say Fripp firing Belew is a bit of a black mark on his career. I am guessing Adrian tries to stay on good terms with everyone.

[@crysstoll1191]

How about Fripp firing the '74 version with Wetton? the LP USA is amazing, as are the bootlegs from that year (Cental Park NYC is crazy).

[@richardbro999]

I saw Adrianne play with Bowie in Montreal - awesome show. I probably saw him also with Zappa the previous year but wasn't aware of who he was at the time. Then again quite a few years after that at the Ottawa Bluesfeast with the brother/sister combo (forgot their names) which was very impressive. Great guitarist and a wonderful person.

[@Mo_Ketchups]

This was the single best interview Adrian’s given that I’ve ever seen. More open & vulnerable than ever before. Makes me puke about Reznor (what a WEAK phony), and no love lost for Fripp, either. God, he took an ungodly unfair beating, more talented than all them combined. 🤟

[@RoyPerez-drumnote]

Such a sweet guy Adrian Belew, one my absolut favourite artists ever.

[@standingbadger]

An excellent and very enjoyable interview. Thank you.

[@guy_incognito]

I saw the Bears at Club Soda in 1988 -- maybe thirty feet from the band. They were fantastic, and their encore was Purple Haze! So underrated.

[@zyrtec3859]

Thank you. It's great to see this Legend in such a great shape!!

[@devolve42]

15:17 Tragic. This man is one of the most creative and talented musicians in the last 50 years.

[@lordfantalongus]

hes just a really happy man and you gotta love him for it

[@garion333]

Adrian is such a great dude

[@janewells5970]

I have seen this show 3 times! Go see this show or ANY SHOW WITH ADRIAN BELEW

[@silentgnome]

Zappa, Bowie, Talking Heads, King Crimson, Nine Inch Nails. This man is A LEGEND. People like John Frusciante and Adam Jones consider him a huge influence on them.

[@thelantern9075]

Adrian is an angel.

[@agharta42]

Just saw them in phoenix last night, BEAT tour is incredible, go see them, mindblowing

[@tonelocrian]

I opened for the Bears back in 1992 LIVE in LA 😊 Good times. Hello Adrian ! TWTrio.

[@psylopanda2841]

A true master of guitar! thanks for this, greetings from Argentina.

[@JulesFox]

That was a really good interview ; covered a lot of ground, Adrian got to respond to all the questions (no interruptions) and most importantly the questions were well considered! Thank you

[@Sternodox]

Was lucky enough to see Adrian with Talking Heads and Zappa. Two of the best shows I ever saw.

[@mdfacp]

Adrian is so cool and he produced my former band, The Irresponsibles, right after I left! I wish I had an opportunity to work with him. He did some great stuff with the band. Unfortunately, they went the way of The Bears.

[@dancochrane5577]

He took on David Byrne’s voice while touring with them. King Crimson with Byrne sing.

[@taddallman-morton6796]

I think that’s a fascinating perspective, and I have heard it expressed by others. I love Byrne and Belew both and have always thought they sing very differently. Odd how so many agree with you!

[@antoniodalfonso]

What a moving interview! I had the honor of seeing Mr Belew live a few times with KC and loved his songs with KC and his own solo works! I'm a fan! thank you!

[@winstonsmith8240]

I saw him live with Zappa decades ago. One of the best gigs I've ever been to.

[@SilverbackOrangutan71]

A family friend grew up with Adrian- Jim George. He is very nice signed a ton of posters for me and gave me a guitar lesson

[@rpratt3746]

thanks for this

[@augustusbetucius2931]

I was fortunate enough to see the Bears in the late 80s in the Dallas West End. It was FREE no less. I was just telling my wife about this the other night, how fantastic they were. It's among one of the best shows I've ever seen. Seeing Adrian, Rob Fetters and the bass player (sorry, I don't recall his name!) do an orchestral trio with two Roland GR-700s (violin and viola sounds) and a Clevinger upright bass played with a bow. Truly a great band.

[@johnfatorich3494]

Thank you Mr.Belew for being you.

[@tpm5002]

My favourite guitarist. I wish I could get the sounds he does out of my strats

[@adamfindlay7091]

And he worked with Eno on the Lodger album. Iggy sang on a Bears song as well.anyway, im relieved the era of this music is adressed & documented.

[@dotzil]

Great man and musician

[@dreyablume]

Great interview - thank you!

[@mor8286]

Frank Zappa,David Bowie,Talking Heads,King Crimson et al ..AB been a part of all those super bands #LoneRhino

[@peebee12456]

Great interview, as is always the case with Mr. Belew! Glad you asked about the NIN issue and Guardians. Had been wondering about both. And saw the Remain show - and loved it, so highly recommended.

[@glenfinston704]

Yes the Bears deserved better! I agree Adrian! Thank you so much for ALL your numerous contributions to music! You have played with my heroes and you ARE one of my heroes too!!! Remain In Light resuscitation a fantastic and needed idea for us lovers of that record! I always loved your particular Crimson era the best with my 3 favorite solid color records red yellow and blue not necessarily in that order! They are played frequently here! One thing I always wondered about was in the Disney Animated 2016 gem Jungle Book ( Disney owning Pixar ) apparently the Bear animated animal lead played brilliantly by Bill Murray, who’s name is ‘Baloo’, made an apparent inside joke to ‘the bears’ at one point I recall! Inquiring minds want to know lol! Amazing story about your first Zappa audition-out of 50 who chopped it up in front of Frank, he picked you. Then, when playing with Frank on stage Bowie picks you again. That speaks volumes to your obvious talent! You are also a fantastic vocalist to boot! Great to hear about your beautiful custom strat and how you use Axe Fx straight into board w/o any amp initially. This does make sense in this age. Good to know use of midi controller to move the songs through their rotation. Then play your super clean sound out monitors on stage and directly into ear. Loved Tina’s talk with Julie info, ‘It’s yours now…’ I did not know about your reference in Guardians of Galaxy film, I’ll watch for it!😊 Thank you Adrian!

[@BrettHoustonTube]

Well out of everything that he has done the Adrian Belew stuff is my favorite. Glad he has time to be himself again.

[@grugotube]

The king crimson records with Adrian are the only ones worth listening to IMO

[@PaulMazzoni]

Still my favorite artist to see live.

[@lassekristoffersen5906]

There are many all time greatest. Adrian....a history of his own.

[@AJDOLDCHANNELARCHIVE]

I never realised Adrian Belew was going to be involved with Nine Inch Nails, fascinating stuff to hear about, as well as the King Crimson stuff.

[@silviopimentel7247]

Unbelievable!! One of my guitar heroes! Mr. BELEW is the most original and underated. Cause he just is to unique. Thank u sir for your work and inspiring the anti rock me and my friends just wanted to be unique just like you. 💯💢💙

[@MarkasTZM]

I remember seeing Belew riding around Champaign Urbana on his motorcycle.back in the day.

[@mrbee145]

Adrian is one of my favorites. Saw him at n Crimson and Bears. Very talented. I really liked twang bar king

[@mondoenterprises6710]

I'd love to see them play. Come to Burlington, VT! Ps. Bc I saw Adrian play with Earl Slick's kids at a club here and it was a blast.

[@clarkt5439]

Tina's comment to Julia is well done! Julie is a BadASS!

[@MusicLandria]

What an amazing human!

[@ericmalone3213]

Paul Canz in the comment thread below hit the nail on the head, as to Trent Reznor's LA musicians resenting Adrian's presence, fearing that he would overshadow them with his unique talent. Reznor should have put his foot down & told them, "Adrian is in the band, that's it, so you had better change your attitude & realize how terrific & brilliant this is going to be for all of us." Reznor doesn't sound like much of a bandleader for allowing his musicians to overrule him, after Adrian had cleared his calendar for the next 18 months. It still pisses me off that Adrian was so devastated by Trent Reznor not having enough of a spine. I can usually figure out what guitarists are doing by watching their hands on the fretboard, but I have never been able to figure out what Adrian is doing, & how he does what he does. The man is a rare bird. When I think of the great 20th century electric guitar innovators, I think of Les Paul, Jimi Hendrix, & Adrian Belew.

[@spiderbass65]

Love Adrian. I bootlegged the Bears at the Paradise on Boston back in the day. Can't wait to see Beat!

[@coreyhiggins621]

Saw Adrian with The Bears in Lincoln Ne. of all places and I've been listening to him for years. The acoustic version of Three of a Perfect Pair!!!!!! Yeah!!!

[@Svatopluk]

I saw The Bears play at Alvin's Delicatessen in Detroit around 1988 or so, with maybe 150 people? I can't remember what the capacity was, but we sat at tables. It was incredible. Super tight and great material; the nod to Spinal Tap by sneaking in a quote from the Boccherini minuet was a great tongue-in-cheek gesture. After the gig I the band came out and sat at a table and were happy to chat to people. Adrian was patient and kind. I then saw Belew only a few years later playing at the Enormodorm with David Bowie. The Bears deserved better. I still play the first two albums from The Bears.

[@giuliocarmassi]

Living Legend. Absolutely no one like him. ❤

[@geargeekpdx3566]

Adrian Belew is the most accessible everyman rock star in history.

[@lancethrustworthy]

One of the masters. I wish he could do laps in all the admiration there is for him. I wish he never again had a down day, unless he wanted one.

[@litedawg]

Crosseyed and Painless from 1980 w him is electric.

[@patgavardbondet6501]

Love Mr Belew great musician Great guy 👍

[@peteytwofinger]

Imagine kicking this guy out of a band .... also the scene in guardians of the galaxy was PERFECT , when the guy says it my draw dropped , then the next thing he said made me laugh out loud because it was just such a perfect fit for the movie , the character . best scene in a movie in a long time and it didnt break the 4th wall , it fit . adrian has been my favorite professional musician for a long time , that felt like a validation , but it made sense .

[@humanbeing5300]

Interesting that NIN and Fripp “no longer wanted him part of band”. Working with other human beings is the hardest part of any endeavor, lords knows I can’t do it

[@ralphmarrone3130]

The Bears were fantastic!

[@calf311275]

love u Adrian!

[@mrbee145]

I saw the Bears at NIU in Dekalb. Fun show. With some Crimson tunes

[@kennethnorman8079]

Adrian’s always been a class act, but he’s correct about LA/NY professional musicians. They can PLAY anything, but they FEEL nothing. AB, please add a Bears reunion to that list of things to do.

[@korolev-musictodriveby6583]

The thrill of victory ! The agony of my feet...

[@Soulventing]

Adidas in Heat...yah, classic tune!!!!

[@FosterZygote]

When Adam Warlock mentioned Adrian Belew in GotG3, I let out a "whoop!" that caused several people in the theater to look in my direction.

[@chitlun]

When Jean Michel Jarre released Zoolook, he was on Radio 1 in the UK promoting the album and, when asked why he chose Adrian to be on the record, said, in his wonderful accent - “I chose Adrian because he has completely forgotten what a guitar actually sounds like”! Adrian’s in my absolute top 5 geetar players list and I sincerely hope him and Jerry bring the Remain in Light gigs to the UK.

[@johnavilaait9118]

I Love The Bears!

[@Afurthyclays]

Even before I realized Adrian had played with the Talking Heads, I thought his voice sounded a lot like David! 😂

[@ronschwolsky1626]

Saw AB with the Heads, with Crimson (5 times) and with the Bears (at the Bottom Line). Adrian was ALWAYS fantastic! ...and it appeared he was always having fun.