Steve Vai and Danny Carey Join Forces with King Crimson Members
Guitar virtuoso Steve Vai and Tool’s drummer Danny Carey are teaming up with King Crimson’s singer/guitarist Adrian Belew and bassist Tony Levin for a special tour celebrating King Crimson’s influential Eighties albums Discipline, Beat, and Three of a Perfect Pair.
The ‘BEAT’ tour, which pays tribute to the era that reshaped progressive rock, is set to commence on September 12 in San Jose, California, and will conclude on November 8 in Las Vegas, Nevada, with tickets going on sale April 5.
This lineup was responsible for producing three albums over four years, offering a new take on the progressive genre with complex rhythms and the use of technology such as guitar synthesizers, electronic drums, and the Chapman Stick.
“This music resonates deeply with me,” Vai says. “Adrian, Tony, and Danny are unique musicians with an otherworldly insight into presenting rich musical complexities in a very accessible way, and I am looking forward to searching each other’s musical minds in real time on stage. I’m sure sparks will fly.”
Lasting impact
The ‘BEAT’ tour, conceived by Belew and guitarist/producer Scrote, is a response to the enduring passion of King Crimson’s fans and the lasting impact of the band’s Eighties quartet.
Steve Vai expressed his anticipation for the collaboration, highlighting the musical prowess of his fellow bandmates and the exciting potential of their combined talents on stage.
Tony Levin shared his enthusiasm for revisiting some of his favorite music alongside such a remarkable lineup, expecting the experience to be both challenging and rewarding.
Musical comfort zone
With Tool on a break, Danny Carey is eager to step out of his musical comfort zone and explore new creative horizons with his inspirational peers.
The setlist for the tour is in the works, with Belew selecting 14 songs from the Eighties trilogy and contemplating which muscular compositions to include.
The tour promises to be full of surprises, given the caliber of the musicians involved and their capacity to push the boundaries of the music they originated.
Emotional journey
For Belew, the tour is not just a professional milestone but also an emotional journey, as it brings him back to music he hasn’t played in years.
King Crimson, led by founder Robert Fripp, underwent a significant transformation in the Eighties with the introduction of new members including Belew and Levin, who contributed to creating a sound that was both innovative and accessible.
