Musician Ian McDonald, a founding member of the bands King Crimson and Foreigner, has died at the age of seventy five.
McDonald co-wrote and played the keyboards and saxophone that have been at the heart of King Crimson’s debut album In the Court of the Crimson King.
Rolling Stone defined the 1969 LP as “prog rock’s big bang”.
He then shaped Foreigner, with whom he additionally played guitar on traditional songs like Cold As Ice, Feels Like The First Time and Double Vision in the past due 70s.
But the Middlesex-born musician left before the organization went on to experience hits in the 80s with Waiting for a Girl Like You and I Want to Know What Love Is.
As a consultation musician, McDonald also played on information which includes the T. Rex album Electric Warrior, which include the hit Get It On.
Foreigner co-founder Al Greenwood changed into among the ones paying tribute, writing: “He turned into like a brother to me. A real musical genius, Ian’s musicianship was an indispensable a part of launching both King Crimson and Foreigner into mythical reputation.
“His contribution to Foreigner’s achievement became sizeable. Ian changed into a expensive buddy, a type and extremely good guy, and I will miss him extraordinarily.”
McDonald have been laid low with cancer, according to his son Max. “He changed into exceptionally courageous, and in no way misplaced his kindness or his sense of humour even when the going was rough,” he wrote on Facebook.
“My father became a brilliant, intuitive musician, a mild soul, and a notable dad. He will stay on for all time via his beautiful music and the love of his fans.”
US guitarist Steve Stevens recalled King Crimson’s debut as “the maximum vital recording in revolutionary rock”, which turned into “at instances dissonant chaos observed by using aching beauty”.
Sid Smith, who wrote the e book In The Court of King Crimson, tweeted that McDonald’s “contribution to King Crimson was beneficial and profound”.
The trailer for a brand new documentary approximately the band changed into released just closing week, with McDonald visible apologising to co-founder Robert Fripp for leaving after their debut.