The Evolution of King Crimson's Legendary Bassists

This video is a deep dive into the low end of one of my favorite bands, King Crimson. We'll discover the history of the band, it's revolving door of members and the bass playing legends that propelled this group into prog rock history.
Bass players like Greg Lake, Boz Burrell, John Wetton and Tony Levin. Some only spent a short time in Crimson but would go on to play in equally legendary bands like Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Bad Company and Asia.
King Crimson on Spotify:
open.spotify.com/artist/7M1FP...
Required Listening Spotify Playlist:
open.spotify.com/playlist/1cF...
Follow me on Instagram:
/ daveporterband
Website:
daveporterband.com
Timecodes
0:00 Intro
0:40 Greg Lake - Version 1
2:18 Gordon Haskell - Version 1
3:15 Boz Burrell - Version 1
4:02 John Wetton - Version 2
5:56 Tony Levin - Version 3
8:25 Trey Gunn/Tony Levin - Version 4
10:38 BEAT Tour
#justplaybass #groove #bassplayer

[@visog]

Oh Man! This is what the Internet is for! Great video - I love these musicians. Great to share some insight on them.

[@DavePorterBand]

Rock on!🤘🏼🤘🏼 Thanks for watching!

[@johngleason9407]

All were excellent, but the Wetton/Bruford unit redefined what a modern rhythm section was capable of. Their grasp of composition and improvisation will never be equaled 🤪

[@user-cj4df7vs7w]

The heaviest incarnation, those three albums are the highlights of the band's discography in my opinion.

[@stuartwaby3081]

Absolutely correct.

[@glennhecker4422]

THAT rhythm section was LETHAL AF.

[@user-qm2hr8rv8b]

​@@user-cj4df7vs7wheaviest? Heaviest than TCOL and TPTB? 😊

[@radiomindchatter7994]

Listening to John Wetton's bass lines on USA made me want to take up bass along with guitar. That was in 1978..I still can't master the bass like that but it's still fun trying.

[@DavePorterBand]

USA is a great live album, thanks for watching!

[@donaldanderson6604]

John Wetton would have replaced Greg Lake but had just joined Family. However, the Wetton/Bruford partnership was outstanding.

[@wernerhaider2338]

King Crimson is the best group ever. Period. Greetings from Vienna!

[@DavePorterBand]

🙏🙏🙏

[@yes_head]

Back in the early 80's I was in a 'rock band' class at a local JC and I asked the guest bass player they brought in to perform for the class what he thought of Greg Lake (I was deep into ELP at the time). He snorted and said "Yeah -- he's just a guitar player who plays bass." I thought that was a bit snotty and unfair, but it was the first time I'd heard that criticism. This guy considered himself a studio ace, and his hero at the time was Will Lee from the David Letterman band. That said, I don't consider Greg a bassist on par with someone like George Murray or Bernard Edwards, but he was the definitely the right guy for ELP. And what a singer. One of the three great prog rock singing bassists (with Wetton and Chris Squire.) Anyways, thanks for doing this video. And excellent discography choices for each guy.

[@dantheman9766]

This band has done so much for me, but it also made me discover my love for bass and music in general. John Wetton and Tony Levin are my heroes for bass playing! this band is legendary! Long live King Crimson!

[@DavePorterBand]

Awesome, thanks for watching!

[@mikecimerian6913]

Succinct chronology. I enjoyed, thank you. Larks Tongues in Aspic was my first KC album. I like the three drummer tour and their rendition of Starless. I remember that Fripp smiled once at the end. :)

[@DavePorterBand]

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching!

[@SonicProfessor_a.k.a._T._Andra]

Ian Wallace (and to a lesser degree: Fripp himself) trained Boz Burrell to play bass. (He was a serviceable guitarist, but, really, primarily a vocalist.). Amazing how well he turned out! [Give the teacher some, I guess. 😛🤘🤘]

[@robertotolosajr4890]

Excellent summary. It's how I remember it. Thanks. Enjoying King Crimson since the first album (I'm 70)

[@DavePorterBand]

Awesome, thanks for watching!

[@user-ny8dh2mk7m]

me 2!!

[@harveytadman]

It would be impossible to chose a favourite album. Thank you to everyone involved for bringing such pleasure and enjoyment into this world.

[@nikolajkrarup-os9gn]

Yes it would. Larks tongues in aspic

[@bugeanuflorin1531]

Thanks so much for posting them. Fabulous performance. Fabulous comments. Good time for you. King Crimson is King. Thanks

[@SportingDrivesinColorado]

Thanks for putting this together!

[@DavePorterBand]

Thanks for watching!

[@tomdbass1]

Always enjoy any music that Tony Levin is a part of. Every album/song he plays on is a master class in composition and intuitiveness on the bass.

[@DavePorterBand]

I agree, thanks for watching!

[@nickhewitt320]

According to Sid Smith's biography of Crimson, it was Crimson's management (E. G.) who persuaded the band to change the name from Discipline to King Crimson so E. G. could use the name to re-release Crimson's back-catalogue. Also, it was, primarily Fripp who taught Boz the rudiments of bass - Ian Wallace helped with the aspects of rhythm & timing.

[@billyz5088]

that is also my memory of how Boz learned to play bass - mostly from Fripp - who likely would have tried to steer him away from blues-based playing - but apparently on tour he tended to go that direction - much to Fripp's chagrin ..

[@DavePorterBand]

Belew and Levin have both stated in interviews that they persuaded Fripp to change the name but I’m sure management could have been involved also. Boz was already an accomplished singer and guitar player so he didn’t need anyone to teach him bass but I’m sure Fripp and Wallace spent lots of time with him rehearsing complex parts and arrangements. Thanks for watching!

[@oupahens9219]

@@billyz5088 Yeah, Boz went to join the bluesman Alexis Korner then.

[@misfit2022]

You wouldn’t get the legendary Bill Bruford drum parts without John Wetton and later Tony Levin

[@leftpastsaturn67]

I don't know about the other versions of KC, but with regards to the pattern of '3's', Belew confirmed recently that Fripp's firm plan with version 3.0 was to write, record and tour 3 albums and to then disband.

[@DavePorterBand]

Good to know, thank you!

[@PedroBroggini]

Tremendous video! It was a great joy to watch.

[@DavePorterBand]

Thanks for watching, Pedro!

[@flaviofrascino2842]

Dear Dave, wonderful video! Thanks a lot!!

[@DavePorterBand]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@wordsisnukes]

wetton was a game-changer. i still enjoy listening to Red in particular for that cranked up bass. what a power trio that was.

[@Threlgar]

Great vid! Much homework to do to catch me up on the ‘required listening’ list!!!😮

[@DavePorterBand]

Thanks for watching!

[@lawrencetaylor4101]

Merci, great summary.

[@clivefester5447]

Awesome video. Thank you

[@DavePorterBand]

Thanks for watching!

[@jimbrown5552]

Thanks again for sharing

[@DavePorterBand]

Thanks for watching!

[@russellhammond4373]

Thanks for the history lesson. Loved this video.

[@DavePorterBand]

Thanks for watching!

[@mletrout7942]

Greg Lake’s contributions cannot be…understated??? I really hope you mean overstated, bro. He was prett awesome.

[@DavePorterBand]

I misspoke, thanks for the catch!

[@bobsbigboy_]

amazing video!

[@DavePorterBand]

Thanks!

[@danielmacdonald8349]

I’ve been a KC fan from day one. I bought In The Court of the Crimson King in 1970 - when I was 12 years old - and just about everyone since. Absolutely one of my top 5 all time bands.

[@DavePorterBand]

Thanks for watching!

[@agirotto1]

I'm a fan of Belew's, but the Wetton/Bruford years were genius. Love Crimson.

[@DavePorterBand]

Thanks for watching!

[@MakeWeirdMusic]

Thanks for making this video!

[@DavePorterBand]

Thanks, Anthony, you're channel is awesome!

[@MakeWeirdMusic]

@@DavePorterBand oh wow, didn’t expect you to know me. Thanks, dave!

[@Miykael]

I enjoy all these bassists and their contributions to Crimson. I think Trey Gunn doesn't get enough respect for his basslines on the Warr Guitar. Check out his solo albums as well.

[@aminahmed2220]

What a fantastic video have a wonderful weekend also Saturday is my friends birthday ❤❤❤❤❤❤😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@DavePorterBand]

Happy Birthday!

[@josephnaja]

One of my favorite prog bands of all time! I think Red is my favorite album by KC

[@DavePorterBand]

One of mine too, thanks for watching!

[@josephnaja]

@@DavePorterBand Thank you ✌️

[@Bob-of-Zoid]

Of course they're all great! Robert Fripp was a Lot Like Zappa in that he didn't pick anyone to play in his bands, unless they had that little something special on top of excellent musicianship, and there is no "Best" King Crimson or Zappa Lineup, because they were all too different to compare, and all freaking great!

[@TheGerkuman]

Absent Lovers, the live album from the King Crimson 3.0 lineup, is one of the best live albums of all time. It's amazing.

[@DavePorterBand]

I'll have to listen to it, thanks for watching!

[@fabrikk60]

I saw that version of the band, two nights before Absent Lovers was recorded. I had no idea that I was seeing the end of the 80s incarnation of the band, and that they'd indeed become absent for several years.

[@obahrey5197]

Great video! Not to be a critic but at 3:18 you pointed to Mel Collins and referred to him as Ian Wallace. Wallace is actually the man below him with the smile. He’s sitting next to Peter Sinfield.

[@harrynewiss4630]

Three terrific players and one rather non-descript one.

[@theo9952]

Anyone who ever played in King Crimson, simply kicked ass.

[@dbassman27]

I was fortunate enough to see John Wetton with UK and a later version of Asia. I saw King Crimson 1981 on tour for the Discipline album. Tony Levin played the Stick primarily.

[@DavePorterBand]

Awesome, thanks for watching!

[@mccypr]

Great Band! Thanks! 🎻🙂✌️😎

[@lignorof8475]

therapist: "moustache-less Tony Levin is not real and he cannot hurt you." moustache-less tony levin: 6:50

[@DavePorterBand]

🤣🤣🤣

[@AboubacarSiddikh]

Robert Fripp met Adrian Belew at a Steve Reich concert in New York in early 1980. (I think Belew came with Bowie). So they did not meet at a Bowie recording session.

[@piotrnowara107]

When I first heard Wetton on the great The Great Deceiver live album I realized he's so unique I would never be able to play like this. No matter how hard I would try 😊

[@DavePorterBand]

Wetton was a great bassist for sure, thanks for watching!

[@jimbrown5552]

Very interesting

[@januszdurolek7594]

King Crimson das beste progresiw rock . Legende 👍🫀🧠

[@dlanodrelda]

Wetton was in Family pre KC

[@Iomhar]

I'm not so sure that Fripp was the initial bandleader. McDonald always seemed a more plausible contender. (He co-authored ALL the songs on their debut album.) Fripp was just the bloke who was left alone with the name of the band.

[@mikecimerian6913]

He never was much of an acrobat. He prefers playing.

[@fabrikk60]

When KC #1 was fracturing in December 1969, Fripp offered to leave and let the band continue with McDonald leading it. Good thing that didn't happen!

[@tumbleddry2887]

As soon as the Beat tour was announced, me and several buddies got tickets immediately...seeing them in Minneapolis in November...cannot wait. I've seen Adrian Belew as well as Tony Levin several several times over the years. And although I'm a fan of both, I've never had the pleasure of seeing Steve Vai or Danny Carey live, so this is going to be an Awesome show.

[@DavePorterBand]

Yeah, I grabbed my tickets as soon as they were available too. I can't wait to see them. Thanks for watching!

[@thedude-jb7wx]

First 3 albums are the most original genius music ever made for me.

[@haorongxu3539]

tony levin is definitely the best

[@user-cj4df7vs7w]

Maybe but their music from 80s is not very interesting to me.

[@fabrikk60]

Technically he probably is. But many of us enjoy listening to John Wetton just as much, if not a bit more. Rating one great musician over another great musician by declaring one "DEFINITELY the best" is quite juvenile and self-limiting.

[@DavePocklington]

Adrian Belew, Tony Levin and Danny Carey are going on tour playing Crimson tracks with Steve Vai taking the place of Fripp. That should be interesting, the tour starts in September.

[@januszdurolek7594]

Das ende album Scarcity of Miracles - 2011 . Ende interesante plate 😊

[@DavePorterBand]

Thanks for watching! I did overlook that album but technically it's considered one of the "Projekcts" albums and not King Crimson.

[@michaelward9880]

I'd never noticed this before. The trio of the early 80's albums had the 3 primary colors as their background colors. Red, blue, yellow. Another pattern of 3.

[@unknown6390]

No mention that John Wetton was in the fantastic group Family?

[@nikolajkrarup-os9gn]

The by far best period of King Crimson is from 72-74. Larks tongues in aspic. Starless and Bible black and Red are their best albums. All awesome. It's such a shame David Cross stoped playing violin. It was perfect for the band. They never had violin before and after.

[@stuartwaby3081]

Agree with your comment, however David Cross still tours with his own band and still performs classic KC pieces alongside Music from his solo albums.

[@evankeal]

To me the Thrak album and tour are as much a continuation and finale for the 80s era as much as the start of the following era.

[@DavePorterBand]

I agree! 👍👍👍

[@user-cj4df7vs7w]

Haskell always stands in shade. Okay he wasn't a strong singer and preferred soul music so left the band. Lizard lineup never performed live. I always loved that album.

[@MyNameIsBucket]

I've been getting into Haskell's solo stuff and it is excellent

[@majwilsonlion]

Lizard is my favorite also. And I think Haskell's voice is great. Especially on Cadence and Cascade

[@fabrikk60]

The last version of KC played some Lizard material live during 2015-18.

[@Iomhar]

Jamie Muir?

[@user-cj4df7vs7w]

A percussionist. I must admit he made huge work on Larks Tongues in Aspic.

[@Iomhar]

@@user-cj4df7vs7w , yep, not mention ed at all!

[@simonagree4070]

Just popped in to say the same -- I liked his contributions very much and thought it a shame that his interests did not coincide with further KC involvement. I suppose that he was more noticeable in the live concerts and video around the time of Lark's Tongues, and this overview does ignore the live aspect of the band, aside from a few pictures.

[@charleselderton5546]

Ian Wallace is Mel Collins.

[@kw19193]

Regarding Lake as a producer on ItCotCK Pete Sinfield has stated that Lake's involvement with the producing of the album was minimal, mostly centered around his vocals although Lake, owner of a massive ego, would always insist otherwise. Cheers!

[@williammcallister8247]

What about Peter Giles?

[@DavePorterBand]

2:45

[@fabrikk60]

Peter Giles also played on the 21st Century Schizoid Band shows, including some Wetton parts. He did a great job, proving that he could've been a full-time Crim if he'd wanted to be.

[@Novalarke]

I guess Jamie Muir was never part of the band... >😞

[@fabrikk60]

Yes he was. If you've seen any live footage with him, he was even a bit dominant.

[@Novalarke]

@fabrikk60 - I'm well aware I was being sarcastic toward the video.

[@Pandamasque]

2 corrections: - There IS some original material on new releases. - You left out an important Wetton-era KC member, absolutely wild percussionist Jamie Muir. Even though he left after Larks, he and his chaotic orchestra of scrap items had a big influence on Bruford's subsequent drumming. Muir appears in the live video King Crimson - Larks' Tongues in Aspic (1972) uploaded by Beat-Club.

[@Frameshaft]

I feel like King Crimson isn’t a band, it’s a movement, a living entity forever alive, forever evolving.

[@ThrattaKC]

Good video, though I will say that I dont think you can catergorize 1994 to present as a version of King Crimson. The modern incarnation is completely different from specifically the 2000s era and feels a bit disrespectful to Pat Mastelotto and Trey Gunns contribution to King Crimson. Trey Gunn also has written many classic KC bass lines like the ConstruKction of Light and glossing over that seems unfair in my opinion.

[@fabrikk60]

The final KC version was also the only one one to play a lot of back-catalogue music. As well, they reverted KC to being a mainly English band, whereas the 1980s-1990s ones were very American sounding.

[@withnail70]

Informative, but music documentaries with no music 😴 😪

[@DavePorterBand]

I agree! Unfortunately, I'm not able to license music through KZbin yet. Thanks for watching!!

[@fabrikk60]

Fripp won't give permission for anybody to use Crim music. He even made Rick Beato cut some out or have a whole episode taken down.

[@fabrikk60]

Very good video, I like the emphasis on the bass players. But a few points need to be made. There are certainly more than 4 versions of King Crimson: Version 1, 1969, with Greg Lake [no version], 1970: the next two albums were essentially Fripp & Sinfield albums, with the King Crimson brand questionably printed on them. There was no set Crimson band, nor Crimson live shows. Bass players were visitors to the studio. Version 2, Spring 1971-Spring 1972. With Boz Burrell. Definitely a set Crimson band, with lots of touring. Version 3, Fall 1972-1974. With John Wetton, an entirely new band and all-new music Version 4, 1981-2008., with Tony Levin. You could break this version down into sub-versions, but the music and personnel were all similar. (No albums 2004-2008, but there were a few shows) Version 5, 2014-2021. Tony Levin is back, but this time he had to play the bass lines of 4 earlier Crimson bassists because this version played mostly vintage Crim album music of the past. This version is entirely unique, cannot be grouped-in with earlier versions.

[@slobberkissintl3548]

I would say there are only two distinct periods of King Crimson, that would be Wetton/Bruford/Cross/Muir and then Belew/Levin/Bruford Thrak is basically band two in personnel but band one in tone. Before Larks' Tongues you can't really say there was a band, each record is a different thing. Well, the second record has some continuity but Lizard is only contractually a king crimson record. (I like Lizard, a lot actually, I'm just saying it's definitely an outlier in the kc oeuvre). I don't know if I've heard anything post-Belew. Singing for King Crimson is weird. John Wetton to me is the most, besides Fripp if course, King Crimsony member, then Bruford, then Belew, then Ian MacDonald just because his part on One More Red Nightmare is so good. Wetton's wary voice and austerity and growly bass for me IS King Crimson. And Bruford revels in this. Wetton/Bruford is a perfect "battery". Levin is the much better bass player and Belew is clearly more virtuosic and innovative than David Cross, so the mid90s King Crimson play the 70s material with more muscle, the double trio ABSOLUTELY RIP on Red and Larks Tongues II, but credit Wetton for giving them something to rip! Belew's sideways twisting narratives grew on me but his lyrics on the 80s records to me is more like, a side of King Crimson. Whereas Wetton is THE side. Does that make sense? Belew is like, hey we can also do this. And Wetton is, this is what we do.

[@goingnowherefastman]

Talk, talk, talk...where are the music examples ?

[@DavePorterBand]

I'm unable to license music until I'm monetized, thank for watching!

[@YourAvarageStupidRedHedgehog]

wow King Crimson hopefully a mafia boss doesnt have a red ghost that has a somewhat ability to erase time/skip time 10 seconds but i could tell the info of it King Crimson is the name of a Stand, which is a supernatural ability or power that appears in the series. Stands are often depicted as humanoid figures with unique abilities that assist their users in battles. King Crimson is the Stand of the main antagonist of Part 5 of the series, Diavolo (also known as Vinegar Doppio). Its appearance is characterized by a humanoid figure with a muscular build, often depicted with a crown-like headpiece and a blank face. Its color scheme typically includes shades of red and black. The abilities of King Crimson are among the most complex and enigmatic in the series. Its primary ability, "Epitaph," allows its user to foresee up to 10 seconds into the future, giving them the ability to predict their opponent's actions. However, its main ability, "Time Erasure," enables King Crimson to erase the flow of time for up to 10 seconds, effectively allowing Diavolo to skip through those moments without being affected by events that occur within that timeframe. To others, it appears as if those 10 seconds have been inexplicably skipped, leading to confusion and disorientation. This ability grants Diavolo a significant advantage in battles, as he can anticipate his opponent's moves and then maneuver freely during the time erasure, making it extremely difficult for his enemies to counterattack or defend themselves effectively. King Crimson's appearance in "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure" adds to the series' already surreal and fantastical elements, contributing to its unique and memorable storytelling.

[@fabrikk60]

Crimson’s studio albums serve as rough career guideposts, but they do not really define the band at all. This is because Crimson was mainly an *improvisational* band, much more than a composing band. Much of “Larks Tongues” was created onstage well before that album was made. “Starless and Bible Black” is largely a live album, with the audience cropped out. If you took all the pre-2014 live albums and erased everything except the Improvisations, you’d still have enough left over to make a whole lot of releases. And those all-improv releases would be the essential, true Crimson.

[@Alembizoa]

Kinda glossed over Trey Gunn....he and pat propelled the band in new directions, and the improv of that phase was extraordinary!

[@user-bn9rw5xj5z]

To me john wetton was the best singer and bass player king crimson had rip John wetton

[@user-ny8dh2mk7m]

Way killer vid. i have 2 lp's, by Family, with the Late great John wetton, on bass and co-lead vox. Cheers

[@DavePorterBand]

Thanks for watching!

[@fabrikk60]

If you can find the 1971 album by Mogul Thrash, it's energetic brass-rock with John Wetton playing bass and singing much more than he did in Family.

[@user-ny8dh2mk7m]

@@fabrikk60 Thanx for turning me on to Mogul Thrash! Excellent Band. Kinda' reminds me of Gordie Howe Towne's Rare Earth, or Lighthouse> i 'm listening to them on KZbin and Pandora. i'm going to try to find the LP. if not, i'll burn it in my home recording studio. Cheers

[@user-ny8dh2mk7m]

@@fabrikk60 i just found a orig copy, with some killer jazz, outlaw Country,reggae ska and rockabilly LP's, at our Loco Valim Village, each for $3.99,. the copy of the mogul Thrash LP, is in pretty good condition, although the jackey is kinda' (mogul0 Thrashed. repaired it with some hockey stick tape. i have everything else, that the Late great John Wetton was on. Cheers from SpoCanada

[@fabrikk60]

@@user-ny8dh2mk7m John Wetton is probably my favourite male voice of all. Loved the UK albums, but never cared for Asia much. (Is "SpoCanada" Spokane? My buddy lives north of there, up in Rossland.)

[@I_Have_The_Most_Japanese_Music]

Most surprising phrase in this is "ex-Ministry drummer on keyboards"

[@user-ny8dh2mk7m]

yes it's $pokane. i have family, friends, former bandmates hockey/curling/lacRosse teamates 'n' cousins who live Rosslyn and Trail. Cheers