Robert Fripp

Latest about Robert Fripp

Robert Fripp photographed with his 1959 Gibson Les Paul Custom, the guitar behind much of his early groundbreaking work, in 2022.
Robert Fripp reveals the one person he ever let play his ’59 Les Paul Custom: “A guest star stepped up to play with us”

By Phil Weller Published

The King Crimson guitarist recalls the band’s 1969 live debut, when an unannounced visitor joined them for an impromptu performance.

Guitarists
LEFT: Tony Levin performs with Peter Gabriel at Mediolanum Forum of Assago on May 21, 2023 in Milan, Italy. RIGHT: LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 23: David Gilmour performs at Royal Albert Hall on September 23, 2015 in London
“Five minutes later David Gilmour called me.” Tony Levin on the former Pink Floyd guitarist’s unexpected gesture

By Gary Graff last updated

The legendary session bass guitarist on asking Gilmour for a last-minute favor — plus his sessions with John Lennon, Robert Fripp, Steve Vai and Paul Simon

Guitarists
LEFT: Midge Ure at Rockore in Lochore Meadows Country Park, Scotland, August 23, 2025. RIGHT: Robert Fripp performs during Toyah and Robert's Sunday Lunch concert at the O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire on October 21, 2023 in London
Ultravox’s Midge Ure on Phil Lynott, Kate Bush, the Sex Pistols and Robert Fripp: “He brought these 40 Japanese students along”

By Joe Matera Published

The guitarist recalls joining Thin Lizzy, nearly becoming a Sex Pistol, Kate Bush’s perfectionism, and what makes Robert Fripp such a virtuoso

Guitarists
Robert Fripp photographed with his 1959 Gibson Les Paul Custom, the guitar behind much of his early groundbreaking work, in 2022.
“I could phone up Eric Clapton and he’d buy it.” Robert Fripp on the six-figure guitar behind King Crimson’s breakthrough

By Phil Weller Published

The 1959 Gibson Les Paul Custom became Fripp’s for a song — but he’s shocked to see what a similar model fetches today

Guitarists
Robert Fripp performs during Toyah and Robert's Sunday Lunch concert at the O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire on October 21, 2023 in London, England.
“The man shaving my balls didn’t tell me.” Robert Fripp says he’s still baffled by his bizarre hospital mystery

By Phil Weller Published

The guitarist notes that he’s in the best shape he’s been in for decades following a heart attack last year — though one part of his treatment still makes no sense.

Guitarists
Robert Fripp performs during Toyah and Robert's Sunday Lunch concert at the O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire on October 21, 2023 in London, England.
“The man shaving my balls didn’t tell me.” Robert Fripp says he’s still baffled by his bizarre hospital mystery

By Phil Weller Published

The guitarist notes that he’s in the best shape he’s been in for decades following a heart attack last year — though one part of his treatment still makes no sense.

Guitarists
Eddie Van Halen in the mid 1980s
“It was such great stuff.” Steve Vai says he’s heard Eddie Van Halen’s unreleased recordings

By Gary Graff Published

Vai recalls sitting in Eddie’s studio surrounded by unheard music — and explains why the guitarist believed Van Halen already was his solo career.

Guitarists
John McLAUGHLIN performs in 1970
“John McLaughlin scared the hell out of me.” Narada Michael Walden on his 1970s adventures with Mahavishnu, Robert Fripp and Carlos Santana

By Gary Graff Published

The drummer and producer for Whitney Houston and Aretha Franklin recalls the intimidating moment he first jammed with the Mahavishnu Orchestra leader

Guitarists
British pop singer David Bowie pictured at the Dorchester Hotel, London. 20th October 1977.
The secret sound that has David Bowie’s “‘Heroes’” surging on the charts following its ‘Stranger Things’ appearance

By Christopher Scapelliti last updated

Producer Tony Visconti reveals how Robert Fripp’s guitar work made the 1977 song a timeless anthem

Music
LEFT: Jimi Hendrix (1942-1970) performs live on stage playing a white Fender Stratocaster guitar with The Jimi Hendrix Experience at the Royal Albert Hall in London on 18th February 1969. RIGHT: Robert Fripp performing at Wickham Festival 2023.
Robert Fripp on his 1960s contemporaries — and the guitarist whose playing he thought was “good fun”

By Phil Weller Published

Fripp's past comments highlight the left-field ideas that make him an original

Guitarists
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