Elephant Talk: King Crimson on 'Fridays', ABC TV, USA

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This is King Crimson on national late-night TV in the US and within an inch of some sort of popular breakthrough around 1981-2. The album ‘Discipline’, from which this track is taken, had garnered some seriously good reviews, so it was one of those rare moments when the taste of audience, performers and critics were aligned. I had two kick drums in my set up - acoustic and electronic. When the latter was wound into some trashy metal sounds, they made a nice combination. #billbrufordsearthworks

[@jjkey7120]

Probably the most 'fun' King Crimson line-up? Gloriously complex music disguised as danceable pop and working on every level!

[@krisscanlon4051]

Agreed...danceable orchestration.

[@buenafe]

I love the description.

[@j.477]

,,, nuff said ...

[@beastice1113]

I really wish there was significantly more music in the general sphere of this and Remain In Light With how well received these albums were, it's surprising there aren't a bunch of decent ripoffs from a year later

[@johnmichaels4564]

Discipline one of the best albums of the eighties

[@user-li7lm6bi2o]

You can hear why Belew fit in so naturally with Talking Heads

[@bearblackhawk9362]

Same with Frank Zappa. All of the signature changes.

[@spacecadet622]

duh Belew was raped for his genius and discarded

[@duncanambrose206]

And see. Look at that damn suit 😂

[@hifibrony]

The level of sheer instrumental virtuosity in this band was and remains mind-roasting.

[@pawlpoche8736]

🎉totally agree 🎉

[@exhainca]

Adrian Belew is incredible. He brings such levity to this art.

[@mixolydian2010]

HEs among the most perfect frontmen!

[@peteytwofinger]

@@mixolydian2010 often people will associate him with guitar tricks but the fans know how much of a well rounded all in one type of musician he really is . there is practically nothing the man does not do and when he does its done REALLY well . inspiring is the word i choose to use for him .

[@mejsmith1]

@@peteytwofinger Well, he also played with Frank Zappa, and that would be a hard gig.

[@snavs420]

He was hand picked by the greats. Could you imagine being poached by Talking Heads, David Bowie, Frank Zappa, and King Crimson? That resume speaks volumes about the kind of musician he is, I wish he was more widely celebrated in the pantheon of guitar greats. Rolling Stone didn't even put him in the top 100 guitarists, which boggles my mind to no end.

[@stephenzanichkowsky4434]

@@snavs420 That's because RS is worthless...

[@menswear2112]

Adrian Belew is hypnotically entertaining to hear and watch. A true machine.

[@luannabbate2624]

Also a Zappa team memve. He know,s hi shit

[@yournamehere6719]

@@luannabbate2624 Adrian was one of the only non-sight-reading musicians that Zappa ever accepted into his bands, post-early Mothers '68-'69. That alone puts Adrian into rarified company.

[@mikenichols3965]

Kudos to the director who must have been paying attention during rehearsals. The camera takes were spot on for this lively performance.

[@PlateOshrimp499]

Fridays music segments were almost always superior to SNL's, and their audience support was always better than Midnight Special.

[@grefusitopavimento1103]

The mainstream public have hardly heard anything better since then.

[@skiphoffenflaven8004]

Yep. So much junk is what the mainstream pub goes for, generally.

[@olivercrowley9367]

Two words: Black Midi

[@tenshko5055]

@@olivercrowley9367 same shit

[@FringeSpectre]

But, those of us with taste appreciate the bands these guys inspired like Between the Buried and Me. They did a cover of Three of a Perfect Pair that's just fucking incredible.

[@kirb_erus]

@@tenshko5055 I am starving for another band producing shit on the same wavelength as Crimson so I hope it's the "same shit" lmao

[@jeremymace2480]

You can that hear Levin’s influence on Les Claypool was profound.

[@stalp0pp]

I was searching for this comment

[@YoushouldNOW221]

This song was the inspiration for Jerry Was a Racecar Driver

[@miuziqa]

Jerrywasaracecardriver...

[@jolia1997]

y se nota que también salió DMV

[@junkscience6397]

IMO, You can hear that David Byrne's influence on Adrian Belew was profound.

[@Peemanufacture]

Love how Belew is always such a showman, he’s always so fun on stage

[@markconnorsmusic]

Not sure if anyone mentioned it yet, but huge kudos to the person whose idea it was to have Crimson perform on Network TV. They probably gained some new fans due to this performance.

[@cluebcke]

I would have run out and bought the album If I had seen this. As such, I'm late to the party.

[@CDavis-jt5fh]

In 1981 I was a middle school rock-n-roll kid without a clue of earlier 70's pro-rock. I saw this show on TV and without ever having heard of KC before I was instantly a dedicated follower. It took me until the 90's to fully comprehend their music, and then had to take it all in again in '95, but this very broadcast is what started it all for me.

[@sassulusmagnus]

Adrian Belew is an absolute monster. The whole band is at a level of musicianship that few others will ever equal. Mind bending.

[@harounel-poussah6936]

It's not antics, it's impossible guitar job

[@caseyjones7404]

3:21 proud moment for this guy... what a goof

[@MichaelCoffman]

That solo. My goodness. This was the first band I saw live - 10th grade, Mann Music Center, June 1984. Modern English was the opener.

[@ranman1959]

Still listen to 'Discipline' pretty regularly 40 years later.

[@satyrosphilbrucato9140]

I consider it Crimson's finest moment, in any incarnation.

[@andyharman3022]

Discipline was my favorite album of the 80's.

[@nkmcfrln]

This is what got me and my friend heavily into King Crimson. Saw them in Montreal for Beat and Toronto for Three of a Perfect Pair.

[@AZDC99]

@@satyrosphilbrucato9140 Being born in 1973, I got into "Larks In Aspects Tongue" first. So I was shocked, in a way, to like the 1980s incarnation of King Crimson better already. That being said, I still love me some 1970s King Crimson!

[@duledule1127]

me too

[@musopaul5407]

Wow, Belew is something else; a really good singer, a terrific and innovative guitar player and an incredible front man. Zappa really knew how to spot talent! Oh, and the rest of King Crimson aren't too shabby either! Great band and great tune.

[@tommc4916]

This Blew. Me. Away. when I saw it on TV. I thought I was watching the future, and I suppose I was. Bought the album as soon as I could find it. Still love every incarnation of KC 41 years later.

[@stephenzanichkowsky4434]

It Belew me away!!

[@Eleventhearlofmars]

When I saw this comment I just knew what the reply was going to be. 😂

[@LarsBjerregaard]

Glorious! Never seen Robert smile that much :-) Adrian positively killing it back then.

[@mallery7]

Wow Fripp is smiling and looking happy

[@elmerexpress]

Heheh - I noticed that, too!

[@keithcrupi5810]

You can see it in their faces, they know how good they just sounded ❤

[@melomane2010]

Holy shit never saw this before. One of the better live TV performances I've seen. Bet this blew some minds back in 1981 😂

[@shannonrowan4671]

Oh, it belew some minds alright

[@tgshort7638]

Yeah I was stoned as a bat and would listen to the whole album and not realize time was going by

[@Eleventhearlofmars]

@@tgshort7638I’ve never seen a stoned bat 🦇? 😂

[@RocketKirchner]

'' With King Crimson every note is accounted for '' Robert Fripp

[@kallypiga5123]

Is Mr Fripp smiling?!

[@skatter44]

Only when he realizes that he's on camera.

[@MarceloKatayama]

I don't know exactly when was this recorded in relation to this incarnation's second album: beat. However, before beat came to be, Mr Fripp has explained that he was very excited and happy with the idea of having a band as techically skilled as the one he had assembled, and also he liked how this new band seemed willing to follow his ideas on the gamelan-rock ideals, or something like that. So, I imagine this is one of those periods in krim history where Fripp was really happy with the band, something that wouldn't last for long, as the beat album nearly separated the group.

[@skatter44]

@@MarceloKatayama This was from their first album Discipline and this performance was before they recorded Beat. And yes, Beat just about killed the band. Very stressful time. Most of the other band members thought Beat was a really good album, probably better than Discipline. Mr. Fripp disagreed. He later said at least one of the three albums they recorded was good. I still love all three of their albums from the 80s, but have to agree with Robert that Discipline was the best of the three.

[@jensknudsen4222]

He was taken to ER after the performance to have his face put back in place. Kidding aside - he's probably smiling because he realizes that he has the most ass kicking band in the history of rock music.

[@EloyGijon67]

Yep and it sounds really frightening... He must've had a bad day 😁 but really having Belew on stage, it's hard not to smile.

[@thomasvincennie3910]

ASTOUNDING! Adrian is beating that Strat within inches of it's life!

[@andyharman3022]

I saw them on the Beat tour in 1982, and can confirm that Adrian was still beating on that same Strat. If that guitar could talk...

[@adam_levine]

Every once in a while he tells the story of how a buddy of his actually torched that thing the second he got it used in a shop in '77

[@harounel-poussah6936]

@@andyharman3022 You have to fight against the Strat to make sound... Once you're tired of fighting as, anyway, it won't sound the way you want, you go and buy a good guitar

[@andyharman3022]

I was a Crimson fan from the 70's, still aching from their breakup in 1975. I kept up with Robert Fripp's activities since, and had his albums Exposure and League of Gentleman. Then I heard he had formed a new band called Discipline and was waiting for an album. When I saw Discipline in a record store in 1981, and it had actually morphed into a new incarnation of King Crimson, my heart skipped a beat, and I snapped it up immediately. I probably didn't listen to any other album for a couple of months after that. I somehow missed their appearance on Fridays when it happened, and I am still regretting it 40 years later.

[@yournamehere6719]

Did you notice in 1979 that Robert Fripp was the producer on the Roches' album? Tony Levin played some bass on that, too (though nothing like this...)

[@andyharman3022]

@@yournamehere6719 Yes, heard that. He also played guitar for David Bowie on Heroes.

[@mnemonik61]

​@@andyharman3022 And on "Scary Monsters" which featured 'Fashion' and 'Teenage Wildlife,' two awesome Fripp vehicles.

[@bbb8182]

I LOVE Bill Bruford's drums so damn much here. Every snare drum stroke is so accurate and has this intense punch that he doesn't force. He has great forearm strength and doesn't have to use brute force.

[@donlopeaguirre112]

Truly epic drummer. And for as good as he is, you could argue he's underrated!

[@juanelorriaga2840]

The guy is on another level and he’s got those old school Simmons pads here I think

[@TheSteveSteele]

Actually he said he had a weak left arm and had to use rim shots to be heard. Regardless, he’s my favorite drummer and as a bassist he’s the drummer I’d want to play with the most. Stewart Copland too. The Tama brothers. If you include Neil Peart, they’d be the Tama triplets.

[@sthomasond]

He's one of my all-time favorites. Up there with the best from the 70s/80s but never gets included in the conversation

[@StephaneBergeronPixelyzed]

@@sthomasond He always gets included in my conversations about rock drummers. In prog, him and Carl Palmer tower over everyone else IMO. Such originality, precision and mastery.

[@prharrington]

Adrian Belew is hilarious!! Even has Fripp smiling! What a joy to see such consumate musicians having a blast!!

[@yournamehere6719]

I just saw Adrian Belew w/ Jerry Harrison & the crew a month ago on the "Remain In Light" tour, in SF, awesome performance! X opened the show, so there was never a doubt that I had to be there. I got standing room about 3 rows back from Adrian's edge of the stage; Julie Slick on bass behind him (she was bored & unchallenged until they tore into Thela Hu Ginjeet). I'd seen Adrian a few times before, including when I was a teen in 1977 (78?) with Frank Zappa in Milwaukee... Adrian is a legend in my book!

[@btRU_funQsta]

My head freaking exploded when this came on broadcast TV. I was well aware of King Crimson’s first incarnation, yet this was something I had not yet beheld. Along with Devo’s satisfaction on SNL, among the most eye-opening and revelatory TV appearances by any band ever, and yes, I include the Beatles on Sullivan

[@andyharman3022]

Have you seen Focus play Hocus Pocus on Midnight Special in 1973? That was super colossal.

[@ZombyWoof1]

agree 100%. i tell friends all the time that it's the greatest single-song live performance by any band...ever. and re-watchings only add additional proof. astounding

[@btRU_funQsta]

@@andyharman3022 you're so right - 'twas epic! now you've got me wond'ring: where is Thiis Van Leer?

[@jameshicks7125]

I saw this live on television too. It was pretty mind blowing. I was a King Crimson fan from then on. I was exposed to Frank Zappa before, and also a big fan, there aren't many bands of this caliber.

[@_RZ____]

Devo was on Friday’s too

[@OtherMike5000]

Bill! Thanks for posting all of these. You DEFINITELY know and appreciate your fans. WHO EVEN DOES THIS?!?!?!

[@jublaim]

Bill B is a drummer that makes us thinkable persons. I like it!

[@WarhawkBeyond2040]

Robert Fripp + Adrian Belew + Tony Levin + Bill Bruford = the best King Crimson lineup of the 80s 1:57 - 2:06 a rare moment of Robert Fripp actually smiling and enjoying himself

[@Electricshrock]

Um, they were the only KC lineup 'of the 80s'

[@bigtone1348]

Make that ever

[@bomagosh]

I wonder whether he was enjoying himself, or feeling incredibly self-conscious being on camera. Might have been what turned him off being photographed while playing!

[@eddievhfan1984]

It's not only the smiles, but the fact that he's actually improvising throughout the song and not just playing it straight.

[@illitero]

@@bomagosh That's a super hammy smile, so probably related to that. I assume a reaction to the "camera's live" light since he's drawn to it and smiles the moment the booth selects that camera. I relate to that, I've NEVER liked being in photos and withdraw the moment a camera is even angled in my direction lol

[@jayarajjohnson2476]

Three bands that made Rock sound so Beautiful , " King Crimson, Rush & Yes".

[@teedepefanio4974]

Certainly the best.. maybe add Zappa.. the 3 you mention are perfect, tho... time to jam Closer To The Edge.. ❤

[@t10claytempered16]

And...ELP

[@pizzalover1525]

Genesis too

[@dojonane]

@@Emlizardorelax, mate. One man's trash is another's treasure. Robert Fripp himself doesn't agree with your take on those bands, so slag off to him too?

[@epickett63]

I love Rush and Yes more than King Crimson, but I'm still a fan of KC...

[@chrispile3878]

Possibly their finest rendition of this tune.

[@Emlizardo]

Incredible camera work, actually showing what the musicians are doing moment by moment.

[@BoBo0807]

Yeah, "Fridays" is a forgotten gem. Blew the then-moribund SNL out of the water.

[@user-sm3it4jq6d]

might be the best performance i've ever seen. can't sing enough praises of this. no matter how many times i hear or watch... just WOW.,

[@yournamehere6719]

The first half-dozen times I watched it, I assumed it had to be lip-synched because of how impossibly tight & balanced the sound is, and how plain-old impossible the song is.

[@tylee5291]

I remember watching this LIVE. Fridays was a cool little show. I loved it cause they had some of the COOLEST bands of the time LIKE King Crimson, Devo and The Pretenders. Saturday Night Live was cool, but Fridays had the better bands of the 80's. It was where I FINALLY got to see Adrian, Bill, Tony And Fripp play "live". SO cool. I just remembered how Fripp always had a smile on his face like he was loving what he was doing. Elephant Talk was a favorite song too so it was a bonus watch all around. Fond memory. Thank you, Bill.

[@chanthing]

You realize that Devo played on SNL in 1978, right? And The Pretenders in 86.

[@tylee5291]

@@chanthing I missed Devo on SNL and The Pretenders I believe played on Fridays first.

[@Blank_Frank]

@@chanthing both bands performed live for Fridays back in 1981, Devo being a highlight, performing 3/4 songs from their "New Traditionalists" album with treadmills which was unseen at that time

[@PhilipPedro2112]

Watched this at a friend's house that Friday night. We'd never heard of KC but knew we had never heard anything like it.

[@395PRS]

You forgot the Clash played also! They played 4 songs, holy balls I was in 11th grade at girls house, parents were gone and there were about 7 of us partying.

[@ronschwolsky1626]

I saw quite a few shows of the Discipline tour. The Savoy in Times Square was quite memorable. Not too often we see Fripp smiling!

[@bruceh1922]

Adrian is on tour this summer, just saw him at Ludlow Garage in Cincinnati. 72 years young and shredding it still.

[@jayarajjohnson2476]

Robert Fripp trying his best to control himself from losing control over Adrien's antics.... but Adrien gets the better of him and Fripp ends up smiling and gives in.

[@NotAnyKenny]

Yeah, from the performances I've seen, Fripp wasn't much of a smiler, or did he appear to really enjoy his groves, just methodical.

[@Emlizardo]

Bollocks

[@jonnykhatru]

I get the feeling someone told Fripp he should smile when on TV and he did his best 😂

[@mercuryascending1900]

This song puts me in a manic state and I always LOVE IT! WORDS!!!

[@Marss13z]

That answered a LOT of questions I had about their technique.

[@witchdoctor7398]

Been a fan of King Crimson for a lot of years now.... Never get tired of listening to this great band and album....

[@cycologist7069]

To be honest it took me awhile to warm up to this. I was exited that King Crimson was reforming and with Bill. Then I saw this on Fridays and was not sure what to make of this more post punk direction. Over time I grew to love it.

[@witchdoctor7398]

@@cycologist7069 So back in the 80's I was taking courses at the local Community College. I was sitting and doing Algebra problems one Saturday while listening to some music. I was tuned into WMNF in Tampa (USF's Station) and they had an 'alternative' music show that aired Saturday afternoons... I always tried to catch the show since I do enjoy some alternative stuff. Anyway, they played King Crimson Indiscipline and i was instantly hooked... Been a fan ever since... For some reason, when ever I hear Les Claypool and Primus it reminds me a lot of King Crimson... Seems to me they have similar styles, but I'm no expert on musical styles.... I just enjoy music.

[@cycologist7069]

@@witchdoctor7398 I was very much into punk rock and its various offshoots, and also into prog (a rare thing in those days to like both). At was just interesting to see KC go in that direction. In retrospect it shouldn’t be because music always changes and genres come and go and morph into other things. And yes, Les Claypool was very influenced by that specific period of King Crimson.

[@JonGabriel]

I remember watching this live when I was probably 14 years old. COMPLETELY blew my mind then as it does now. Ending up buying a lot of King Crimson and Bruford side projects over the next decade-plus. Thanks so much for posting this!

[@DarrinSnider]

I seriously remember seeing this when I was 11 and thinking it was a joke. Eight years later it was my favorite thing ever.

[@stevehelland6789]

Wow...I remember seeing this on live TV in high school. Very cool to finally see it again! Interestingly, I think this may be both the first and the last time I've ever witnessed Fripp cracking a smile during a performance.

[@MegaZombywoof]

Thank you for this gem Mr. Bruford

[@woojongson5431]

These geniuses' music comes from another beautiful planet.

[@franklinden3497]

That was Absolutely Fantastic. Sounded just like the Record..Great Original music.

[@rickjones8005]

Awesome. 🐘

[@mnemonik61]

I 'member being like 20 and watching this 'live' when it aired. IT BLEW MY EFFING MIND. 🤯Literally went to the mall the next day (Saturday) to buy _Discipline_ ...

[@lance31415]

Saw KC at my small college (UC San Diego) gym during the Discipline tour. Fripp stopped the show for a few when someone took a photo. Levin inventing things on The Stick. Bruford looking like he was going to barf the entire night. Thought is was magnificent noise - bought and wore out the album and the T-shirt. It took a few spins before coming to really appreciate what I'd seen - one of the most amazing live acts ever. Elephant Talk was a highlight. Thx, Bill!

[@timothydillow3160]

The greatest thing I've ever seen on network television.

[@LalisasToxicHusband]

When Leland Palmer beat laura Palmer's cousin to death with his bare hands that was pretty good too

[@CStack2Ci]

As Bob F. said to me at the time, "This is the best touring band in the world right now." Chicago Park West Theater, November 10, 1981. p.s. Happy Birthday Bob! 76 big ones!

[@VIRGONOMICS]

I remember this . Watched with Dad - I was 14 ( and a half ) - I became a fan, and my mind was blown from that moment on …. Long live King Crimson

[@Tony_Collins]

One of the greatest songs by one of the greatest bands in what is argueably their greatest lineup...words are not enough to express my gratitude mister Bruford but thank you for your commitment and dedication to your craft, you're a gentleman and a scholar!

[@jackg9581]

Adrian and Robert are 180 degrees opposite one another. I like how at the end they shake hands. I can only imagine what was said. "Good show. See you Monday? Yep. Have a good weekend!!".

[@Jalliams]

The mind still boggles. What a performance. I love how Robert smiles at the camera, the dapper gentleman. Discipline is an all time favourite album. Side note, any Crimson fans here who haven’t listened before to XTC’s ‘Apple Venus Volume 1’ get into it. I don’t want to say it’s their best, just infer it ;P Thank you for uploading this, Bill.

[@kentborges5114]

I GOT THE PRIVILEGE OF SEEING YOU AND CRIMSON MANY YEARS AGO WHEN THE BAND HAD THE TWO ARTIST PER INSTRUMENT SET-UP ! SIMPLY MIND-BLOWING !

[@glennhecker4422]

Sounds like the "THRAK" tour (1994-1995) with the "double trio" lineup! Saw that lineup at the Tower Theater in Upper Darby, PA (outskirts of Philadelphia) in April 1995. They were like a well-oiled machine. Marvelous show!

[@FusionHowie]

Saw this live in Detroit Incredible! Every musician in town was there that night. INCREDIBLE !!

[@Sams-fu1rd]

I couldnt stop laughing when the crowd tried to clap along to Tony Levin but then slowly died down

[@aka.Mr.French]

I remember seeing KC on the Discipline tour in NYC. I was a long-time fan of The Crim, but didn't know what to expect that evening, knowing Tony only from his work with Gabriel and being totally unfamiliar with Adrian... and damn, I wish the Savoy theater had had seat belts. "Mind blown" is an understatement; the four of you were exponentially greater than the sum of the individuals. And to this day I vividly recall all of you except RF exiting the stage at the end... whereupon he walked from his darkened down-left corner to center stage, took a quick bow, and exited up left. For being considered so egg-headed and "serious," Uncle Bobby has quite the spiky sense of humor.

[@jessportersolo]

A perfect quartet. And Robert is having such a ball, love it!

[@a2ndopynyn]

One of the best rock albums of all time. I have to be in the right mood for it but when I am, it gets CRANKED.

[@akumick]

This is priceless due to Fripp smiling. Oh, and the music is pretty amazing, too!

[@dair2656]

This is my 'ohh by the way, have you ever heard this?' song when I'm several drinks in.

[@balatroaprilis7265]

ELP, PFM, Focus, Triumvirat, Mahavishnu, and Fropp all appeared on late-night US TV shows in the early '70s.

[@markbarbour5]

Coolest part of this performance? That funky rest at 3:15...along with Fripp's sheepish grin after starting his lead a nanosecond late.

[@michaelg6641]

Amazing after seeing them live and playing the records cointless times, to just see the seperate parts played and meshing together.

[@johnb7889]

Robert smiled! For years I have searched the interned for anything from the most musically inclined drummer of the Rock-n-Roll era with limited success. But now, oh my gosh, I’ll be living here for a while! Thanks Bill for thinking of us!

[@josicspack5288]

Best. Moment. Ever. In all history. Of TV.

[@lobserve1]

The guitar madness over that percision rhythm...

[@yournamehere6719]

That's the formula.

[@alicerose8057]

I used to make up insane dances to this when I was 6 years old. This is one of my favorite songs of all time.

[@matthewfinger2381]

Crazy to think this was already 40 years ago

[@johngoldenbritt5112]

Unreal. Then and now.

[@MrHead65]

I loved (and still love) this album when it came out. It was so fresh, so new, and with such a gifted assemblage of musicians. I was lucky to see this line-up close to my home town in the south-east of England in about ‘82. I dashed over on the train after finishing a shift at my part-time job as a supermarket worker. I will never forget spotting Tony Banks (Genesis) in the audience (it was all standing) and getting him to sign my payslip! Great gig. 😊

[@PriaboniaMusic]

I first heard this very track on a sunny summer's day on a lawn in my college halls of residence, introduced to it by a mate...to say I was blown away is an understatement!

[@enricomaciel]

Cara, A cada dia que passa percebo que a as músicas do King Crimson são para perturbado.... Eu amo!!!! Obrigado Bill

[@MoRoKeiFrOd]

Sim! Sao pra perturbados psicopatas, com ctz. O album RED entao nem se fala

[@larikoproduzimentos4501]

Definitivamente

[@DElkan]

Best recording of this song on the internet. The energy coming from the band is just fantastic.

[@javieribanez8645]

I never get tired of watching this! It’s just a masterpiece!👌

[@lastditch727]

I'll never forget the first time hearing this music, it's still interesting after thousands of listens. Legendary.

[@kmaher4980]

I consider King Crimson to be the band that put out the most intense music of that decade. Discipline is one of my favorite studio prog albums. Loaded with great tunes. My two favorites from this incredible album are Elephant Talk and Thela Hun Ginjeet. They also put out a bunch of great live concerts during the 1980s. Crimson was King in the 1980s.

[@nickspencer8366]

what a show!! thanks a million bill

[@penitentiaryofdreams]

this blew my mind completly when i saw it as a live broadcast. I had no idea people could make sounds like this. Changed my musical life.

[@HollowGolem]

It's so mind-boggling to think of a TV audience of normies tuning in and seeing THIS wacky shit. When was the last time late-night had off-the-beaten-path musicians like this on? I know Mars Volta did some late-night spots in support of _The Bedlam in Goliath_ but that was over a decade ago.

[@mufields]

2:09 blows my socks off every time Belew does that oh my fuck and he has such a stage presence. dk if fripp is smiling to appear like a kind man for the audience or if he's genuinely enjoying himself😭 BB n his drums go absolutely ballistic, livens up every note the rest make, and ofc tony never misses. i LIVE for his beginning chords n throughout. so funky so groovy

[@emporioalnino4670]

Adrian is a silly lil guy

[@mufields]

@@emporioalnino4670 very much so🤭

[@jayyyzeee6409]

Probably the most perfectly executed and complex performance I've ever seen. It amazes me every time!

[@murcuryvapor]

Somewhere, someone has this is in stereo, and it probably sounds amazing.

[@ArielX2K]

There was a vinyl bootleg version of the Discipline album with this very recording as the opening track. I miss it.

[@TomBlackburn]

I can't believe that RF smiled that much back then. This is a pure joy to see.

[@whoknows7531]

Fripp smiled in a performance for once. Great live show.

[@cagedgreed]

Wow, truly the best music I've heard, and I never heard any of it until this week. I'm blown away like cherry blossoms in a gale.

[@yournamehere6719]

Lucky you: Adrian Belew, Tony Levin, Danny Carey & Steve Vai have put together a nation-wide tour of this music, starting Summer 2024! They are calling it "Beat" (Robert Fripp reserves the name King Crimson")

[@cagedgreed]

@@yournamehere6719 What brought me here was watching the Rick Beato interview with those very musicians, thanks!

[@mannshambles7006]

Ha. Saw all of the LA area dates on that tour and i was in the audience for this. Thanks for posting this, Mr. B. Hard to describe how revered you were by us young ones in those days.

[@lbcsrw]

I remember seeing this live, in my living room, when I was a teenager. Still great.

[@michaelgapple1894]

I remember my friends looking at each other - like - I can’t believe this is happening. And my Dad walking through - what the hell is this noise?

[@dmsanct]

this specific performance is one of the most memorable ones i've seen in my life so far. i love it so much

[@patrickberkery8854]

Just incredible.

[@agerven]

Now that's discipline! One of the very few videos on which i've seen Robert Fripp smile and enjoy. Amazing live performance.

[@ThyLiquor]

Thank you Bill. I know you can't just improve the video quality of 40 year old stuff, but the audio is blow your speakers out good. My poor neighbors. It's time to inflict this on my co workers as well. Thanks again.

[@atomusbliss7712]

LOL!

[@lumpytapioca5062]

Gentleman Robert appeared to be pleased with the performance. They were all so young.

[@markvonwisco7369]

I had just gotten into KC a year or so before the release of Discipline. I was a college freshman. At the time, Red was my favorite Crimson album. When I dropped the needle on the record, I had no idea what I was in for! I was shocked, surprised and amazed in equal measure. It took a couple of intense listening sessions for the music to click in my mind. Elephant Talk and Thela Hun Ginjeet were the first two songs that I latched onto. "This is a dangerous place..." I remember watching this performance when it was originally broadcast.

[@dmitriymode1156]

👍🏼🇺🇦

[@markvonwisco7369]

@@dmitriymode1156 If you're in Ukraine, I hope that you're staying safe. Slava Ukraini! 💙💛

[@dmitriymode1156]

@@markvonwisco7369 exactly. We will not give up. We get stronger. Thank you for support, friend. Glory To Ukraine, Glory to our heroes and glory to all of you guys who support us🇺🇦

[@julianswistak]

I was at the University of Massachusetts third row of the Fine Arts Center for this tour. And then a couple years (?) later in Springfield, MA when California Guitar Trio opened with their brand of guitar magic. But wait, you sir and Mr Belew opened King Crimson's set with a (yellow!) drum solo that was so much fun to see. Thanks for posting.

[@accidentalfilms]

A great band with great tunes! Forever unseated my notion of what rock could be and the guitar playing from both gents is stellar.

[@wkc2]

This era of KC is when music was extraordinary, thank you for this

[@user-zp8qu4uk6l]

Thanks BB for this gem. Been a KC fan 50 years now and have found greatness in all band incarnations through those years. In my opinion Discipline is the second best studio album created next to ITCOTCK. I remember having the same sort of magical feeling towards this music when I first heard it that I had for In the Court. This video is the absolute best version of Elephant Talk I’ve ever heard. Belew and Fripp created a dual guitar style that took a monumental jump ahead of anything 2 guitarists in a band ever attempted. A standard which remains unmatched since. Long live the King!!

[@BoBo0807]

KC 1981 - 84 is the best 2 guitar rock ever. No question.

[@repentnow1720]

Saw them (for the very first time) in 84 on the 3/pair tour - I was only familiar with In the Court of the Crimson King (my dad's album). They opened up with RED - Amazing! The live drum battle was alot of fun too! Saw them again for Vrooom and again on the 50th Tour. Took a 25 YO drummer to that 50th Anniversary show - he said it was the greatest live show he'd ever seen. So, another lifelong KC fan thanks to my dad scaring the hell out of me (playing "21st Century" at full volume) when I was 11 - back in 77 or 78. Miss you Dad (RIP).

[@kathowed]

Astonishing! Not only for the fact this happened on mainstream US TV (!), but look at Fripp's little face! I've never seen him smile so much! A fabulous rendition. It reminds me of better times…