ON THIS DATE 41 YEARS AGO
Posted by Sid Smith on Apr 29, 2015

King Crimson stepped out onto the stage at Pennsylvania's Stanley Theatre 41 years ago and played a blinder of a set before a lively crowd. My thanks to Stan Kos for sending in this photograph of the building today, now known as The Benedum Centre For The Performing Arts.



Back in 1974,  Keith Webber was at thee gig and recalls "KC shared the bill with Robin Trower. Both groups put on a great show. Bill Bruford was amazing. Fripp didn't seem like a happy-camper due to the audience being so loud on a couple of songs. Wetton was alright but didn't compare or come close to Lake's vocals on original 1969 King Crimson songs they did that night."

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette offered this review: "King Crimson managed to sell out the Stanley Theatre with ease, putting on at least the second best show of the week. King Crimson, the grandaddy of progressive rock, put out albums five years ago that the rest of the world is just catching up to now, and spawned either by influence or ex-members most of the progressive stuff flying through the airwaves now.

The show was basically an aural experience, without the benefit or frills of dramatic visuals, and it featured even more free-form, synthesized way-out warpings than is usually associated with Crimson. The show ranged from the ethereal to some heavy undulating electronics, sharpened by David Cross' violin and John Wetton's choking vocals. The act had an outer space feel to it, underlined by a sometimes hard use of synthesizers."


By way of highlighting the unrelenting glamour of life on the road at the time, here's Robert's diary for the day.

(The day began in Columbus, Ohio).

Arose, with difficulty, 10.20  D.E. 'phoned from N. York: he'll stay there to work instead of joining us in Pittsburgh. Exercises and pack.

11.15 Restaurant. Stamp mail. JW joins.
11.40 Practise.
Room: crimson carpet; red patterns on curtains & bed covers; fawn walls; 2 pictures of antique cars.
12.10 Lobby.
12.45 Airport. BB rushes off & leaves DC with cases (as I do!). DC gives him the word. I begin to go through security at the wrong gate.
13.20 Take-off.
13.55 Land at Pittsburgh. Taxis to Hilton.
14.40 Shave.
15.15 Sleep.
15.30 Awoke & shower.
16.00 Snack & coffee. Uptight for leaving early - snap at Dik.
16.30 Lobby. Taxis to gig. Buy "Old Straight Track" opp. in cheap bookshop. Change strings & lose little screwdriver. Snap at Dik. Barbara told me yesterday she carried a ouijii board in the back of her car; crashing by predetermination. Today she offered me her board.
New music at soundcheck. I have doubts.
18.30 Return to hotel. Barbara cut my hair short.
19.40 Practise.
20.00 Prepare.
20.20 Lobby.

Recording for the King Biscuit hour. I played v. badly. Brought down - couldn't talk to anyone. Back to hotel with Barbara & PW. I walked to White Tower & had a big cheeseburger & coffee. KC went by in car as I was returning. In lobby JW asked if I was OK. I said it was the gig. DE 'phoned as I entered my room: 1.30. I told him I refused to do any recording for radio or tv where veto didn't exist. Watched end of "Charge of the Light Brigade" with Errol Flynn and "Mission Impossible" on tv.

2.40 Retired.

Dream: With BB & DC at a kind of volley ball game. I climb off the floor to join BB with the spectators & am in danger of falling into a swimming pool over the polystyrene fence.

Notes:
_____

1.JW = John Wetton, DC = David Cross, BB = Bill Bruford.

2. Managers are seemingly always able to travel to capital cities, or exotic locations, but prove too busy by far to visit the Pforzheim Jahnhalle.

3. Barbara was a friend of Peter Walmsley.

You can download the entire concert here.

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