The new line-up of King Crimson took to the stage in London's Hyde Park 37 years ago today. Ex-21st Century Schizoid Band member Jakko Jakszyk was in the audience that day and was suitably impressed by Crimso's set. So it seems was Melody Maker reporter Chris Charlesworth who wrote the following week:
The sun was shining at mid-day and about 60,000 gathered on the Queen's lush garden. Many had slept the night in the park to ensure a good seat at the front of the stage. Formerly Fat Harry opened the proceedings with a tight but uninteresting set. They were followed by King Crimson, who played the shortest set I've ever heard from the new group. Choosing from their material from the softer numbers in their catalogue, it was singer Boz who stole the honours. They ended with 'Schizoid Man', which has become their anthem, and really deserved to carry on longer. As it was probably Crimson's last London concert for some time, it was a pity the cheers for more went unheeded. Presumably the strict regulations about playing in the park (I remember Canned Heat being "switched off" last year) prevented more.
Heading the bill in Hyde Park that day was Jack Bruce. Spookily enough, Jakko tells me, when the 21st Century Schizoid Band made their live debut at the Canterbury Fayre on August 24th 2002, topping the bill that day was none other than Jack Bruce. Phew rock n' roll synchronicity! You can take a look at some of the photographs taken that day here.
The sun was shining at mid-day and about 60,000 gathered on the Queen's lush garden. Many had slept the night in the park to ensure a good seat at the front of the stage. Formerly Fat Harry opened the proceedings with a tight but uninteresting set. They were followed by King Crimson, who played the shortest set I've ever heard from the new group. Choosing from their material from the softer numbers in their catalogue, it was singer Boz who stole the honours. They ended with 'Schizoid Man', which has become their anthem, and really deserved to carry on longer. As it was probably Crimson's last London concert for some time, it was a pity the cheers for more went unheeded. Presumably the strict regulations about playing in the park (I remember Canned Heat being "switched off" last year) prevented more.
Heading the bill in Hyde Park that day was Jack Bruce. Spookily enough, Jakko tells me, when the 21st Century Schizoid Band made their live debut at the Canterbury Fayre on August 24th 2002, topping the bill that day was none other than Jack Bruce. Phew rock n' roll synchronicity! You can take a look at some of the photographs taken that day here.
