Starless and Bible Black
Founded by Fripp, drummer Michael Giles, bassist and singer Greg Lake, multi-instrumentalist Ian McDonald, and lyricist Peter Sinfield from the ashes of psychedelic pop trio Giles, Giles and Fripp, the band initially focused on a dramatic, doom-laden sound rich with layers of Mellotron strings, flute, and Lake's distinctively powerful vocals. Their debut album, "In the Court of the Crimson King" (1969), remains their most commercially successful and influential release, with a potent mixture of jazz, classical and experimental music. Their visibility increased tenfold following an opening act slot for the Rolling Stones at Hyde Park, London, in July 1969. Following the sudden departure of McDonald and Giles, Fripp and Sinfield assumed direction of the group for "In the Wake of Poseidon" (1970), the chamber jazz–inspired "Lizard" (1970), and "Islands" (1971). In 1972, Fripp changed the group's instrumentation and approach, bringing in new players including bassist John Wetton and drummer Bill Bruford. Drawing inspiration from European free improvisation, swapping saxophone for violin (in the person of David Cross) and developing ever more complex and clever compositions, they reached what many saw as a new creative peak on "Larks' Tongues in Aspic" (1973), "Starless and Bible Black" (1974), and "Red" (1974). Fripp disbanded this group in 1974.