Robert Fripp: A Maverick's Take on Guitar Gods
Ever wondered what a musical genius really thinks of his contemporaries? Robert Fripp, the visionary behind King Crimson, didn't mince words when it came to his fellow guitarists. This article dives into Fripp's surprisingly candid opinions, offering a glimpse into the mind of a true musical innovator.
Guitar Player is revisiting some of its favorite stories, and this one is a gem. We're taking a look back at Fripp's sharp critiques and unique perspective on the guitar world.
Fripp, a true original, consistently pushed boundaries, extracting sounds from his instrument that were entirely his own. He rose to fame in the late '60s, a time when guitar legends like Eric Clapton were dominating the scene. But Fripp carved his own path, earning praise from the likes of Jimi Hendrix, who once hailed King Crimson as the best band in the world.
But here's where it gets controversial... Fripp wasn't exactly a fan of his peers. In a 1974 interview, he confessed, "I've never really listened to guitarists, because they've never really interested me." This was the same year King Crimson released two of their landmark albums, Starless and Bible Black and Red, solidifying Fripp's place at the pinnacle of his craft.
At the time, Eric Clapton was already a solo artist. The guitar world was brimming with talent, but Fripp remained unimpressed. "I think the guitar is a pretty feeble instrument," he continued. "Virtually nothing interests me about the guitar."
Fripp's views were shaped by his early exposure to Scotty Moore's work on Sun records, later evolving into a love for traditional jazz. This early divergence from the mainstream helped him forge his own identity.
"I haven't been influenced by Hendrix and Clapton in the way that most people would say it," he explained. "I don't think Hendrix was a guitarist. I very much doubt if he was interested in guitar playing as such. He was just a person who had something to say and got on and said it."
Fripp's assessment of Clapton was even less flattering. "Clapton I think is mostly quite banal... I saw Cream live once and I thought they were quite awful. Clapton's work since, I think, has been excessively tedious.”
Steven Wilson, who remixed several King Crimson albums, notes that Fripp's contrarian nature often led to conflicts. "Every single Crimson record that’s ever come out was a battle," Wilson states.
But Fripp never compromised his artistic vision.
Interestingly, the one guitarist who escaped Fripp's critical eye was Jeff Beck, who was challenging musical norms with his album Blow by Blow. Fripp said, "Jeff Beck's guitar playing I can appreciate as good fun... It's good fun, it's quite enjoyable, very exciting. I wish him all the best of luck.”
And this is the part most people miss... As the blues gave way to the shred-heavy sounds of the 1980s, Eddie Van Halen became the new guitar icon. Wolfgang Van Halen, reflecting on his father's impact, theorized that his dad "kind of ruined the musical landscape" because everyone wanted to emulate him.
What do you think? Do you agree with Fripp's assessment of his contemporaries? Did the rise of guitar heroes like Van Halen stifle musical creativity? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
