Ten Years After (Alvin Lee, Especially) For Circus Magazine, 1969

Lest I forget why I'm here, here are the ads for The Moody Blues' sixth album, A Question Of Balance (1970).

"So why in 1974, returning from life on the road since 1969, did I wish to leave it behind? Because it was utterly mad. Utterly mad. You can say to the other members of the band, 'Come on, this is mad.' And they say, 'But we're going to be as successful as Pink Floyd in Europe next year," which is also true. My concern was that the creative impulse is acting through KC. The actual behaviour, the actual life of the band was going to go off course. It hadn't gone off course but it was being set up to do that."

"I suggested [Ian McDonald to replace me] to David Enthoven, whose comment was 'We're not interested in King Crimson without you'. So at that point I let go of it. I called up Bill and John and said it's over. This is not a discussion. For me there was nothing to discuss: I was going and I'd done what I could to keep it going."

~ Robert Fripp

"The confidence level after Central Park was phenomenal both from band and public. When I came back and we started recording Red I was full of optimism."

"I think some people are as wary of success as they are of failure. There were two of us champing at the bit to make the band as successful as possible because we could see what was possible, what we could do. What was on the horizon for us was really close and tangible. And one third of the band was going 'hang on a minute'.

"The more popular the band is, the less control there is. There you have a fairly big factor in the demise of the band. It's a pity because the chemistry was incredible. Ian McDonald was tantalisingly close to rejoining or at least touring with the band and that would have been the icing on the cake for me."

~ John Wetton

"John tended to say that after Central Park and making Red we were on the way up and the next thing would've been fantastic. Me? I have no idea. I wasn't looking that far ahead. I was just trying to get through Red, which was hard work. I think we were all exhausted. None of us had any idea how tiring all this was... I think Robert had spotted this that Crimson was not the kind of band that should go on and on. We would've inevitably blown up had it carried on."

"I look back on it now with a great deal of fondness. It's very easy with this distance and all this scholarly enquiry to nit-pick but we should not forget that it was a blast! It was, excuse the language, fucking great!"

~ Bill Bruford

falls asleep in bed sobbing cuddling my guitar cause i love music so fucking much

in the 60s and 70s if men felt too embarrassed or repressed to have sex with each other they'd form a soft/folk rock band and sing beautiful harmonies

I forgot where I saved this photo from, but I thought it was interesting :)

Peter, probably managing the stage lights (credit: unknown, if anyone knows this picture is someone's courtesy, let me know)

HALLO!! :D

Who would each of your friends be as a progger in an alt universe, GO!!!!!!!

Hello!!! Long post because I love saying too much about everything 😋

Dearest Elijah would be every musician I have ever loved. But I will settle on Jan Akkerman – self-taught; or mostly self-taught, thriving against all odds. You are brave. A hidden gem. Sometimes you make me dig to find out more about you, and this is part of your enchantment. Very sweet, very honest, very thoughtful. You always surprise me. You're a force of nature.

Liz is Jon Anderson, not only for her profile picture but also because she is passionate about music, is a fantastic singer and introduced me to prog in the warmest, kindest way. You remind me of summer sunrises and the fog lifting itself from the hills before I leave for work and the warm afternoons that welcome me home after a long day.

Agus and Eli (an entity to me) are many things. I am inclined to say Hirasawa because they would still be an unbeatable, inseparable duo in every possible universe, even the apocalyptic ones. But Agus *is* shaped after Robert Fripp; or my vision of Robert Fripp is shaped after Agus. This is more craftsmanship than natural to me. They are the best friends I could ever wish for!

Trisha would, without a doubt, be Chris Squire – ADHD, always involved in some huge project that requires so much effort but acts so nonchalantly about it 😭. A natural leader. People flock to you and you are either incredibly loved or strongly disliked. I am part of that first group.

Al is Neil Peart. AuDHD. Maybe not DHD but definitely Au. Impecable fashion taste. Master of music theory. Humble. Hard to get to know but your company is so rewarding… thank you for every minute you have shared with me.

Mav is a powerhouse. My worst enemy. If I were able to name *anyone* and say it's prog, I would pick Walter Becker from Steely Dan. You are an excellent guitarist (although humble), your sense of style is (also) immaculate, you know so much about gear and math it's crazy to me, and you know when to push someone out of their comfort zones so that they can become better people. Thank you!

Emily/Drew is a bit like David Cross to me. Everything they touch is gold. Everything they make appears as if out of a dream. You have this hidden wisdom within and I feel anguish too. May you be free from it someday. One thing I know is that your talent will always be recognized as long as I'm around 🙏 and I think others would agree.

I think Chris/Kieran would be Keith, actually. He's probably one of the most active people I know (against his will?) with varied interests. He's really well-spoken but I need some time to fully understand the things he tells me. Exquisite person. Thank you for your company!

Cass reminds me of Tony Levin and I can't exactly describe it. Every time they create something the world is changed. Unspeakably beautiful art. Everyone admires them. But they're also just a chill guy

Danny (Awesome) is so cool I can't think of someone who could ever reach his level. I'll go with David Jackson from Van der Graaf because of 1. his dignity, finesse and kindness 2. the fact he can still be the funniest guy in the room while still having all of those atributes and 3. the mistique that surrounds him; his incredible fashion sense and connection to classical music. Thank you for being so good to me. You are one of a kind!

Feather - Ambrose from KGLW 😋😋

Other mutuals that I don't know as well (but I wish I did! Talk to me any time)

Tumblr user RobertFripp is actually Bill Bruford

Aspen reminds me of Peter Hammill

Mel reminds me of Greg Lake, very charming and confident

Not prog, but Aster is forever Roger Daltrey

Eels Gibb - Todd Rundgren

Yesterday's Answers is PFM, especially Flavio Premoli

Mayo - Phil Collins (associated with you forever)

Mikeology - M... mike Rutherford (also associated with you forever AND you have the best blog in the world)

Aubrey, Tony and and Alistair are Badfinger reincarnated to me.

Gail is technically also Badfinger but Russ Ballard especially. Of course.

Caden reminds me of Keith Emerson!

There are others I have not mentioned... but I feel kind of embarrassed 😭 please let me know if you want one too. I am extremely grateful for everyone who saw me worthy of a follow.

Much love!

More Chris! (from the slides)

he’s so good with animals. he’s like a disney princess.