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King Crimson songwriter and lyricist Peter Sinfield dies at 80

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King Crimson songwriter and lyricist Peter Sinfield dies at 80

Peter Sinfield, songwriter and lyricist King RedHe died at the age of 80.

The band’s original roadie, songwriter, lighting operator and live sound engineer passed away yesterday (November 14).

The news was shared by King Crimson and members of the band. Robert Fripp on social media.

Although no cause of death was announced, Sinfield’s health was said to have been deteriorating for several years.

He was instrumental in King Crimson’s success, being one of the band’s founders and responsible for giving them their name and finding their first rehearsal space in the café basement on Fulham Palace Road.

He also sourced the artwork of his friend Barry Godber for the front cover of King Crimson’s 1969 debut album ‘In The Court Of The Crimson King’.

From 1969 to 1971 he provided the band’s lyrics and took on the role of art director, commissioning covers for the albums ‘Court’, ‘In The Wake Of Poseidon’, ‘Lizard’ and ‘Islands’, which he co-produced. With Fripp.

Sinfield left the band a year later after Fripp asked him to leave, but he continued producing. Roxy MusicHis self-titled debut album before releasing his own solo album ‘Still’ in 1973.

That same year, prog pioneers Emerson were recruited by Lake & Palmer, with whom he contributed lyrics to the songs ‘Benny The Bouncer’ and ‘Karn Evil 9 3rd Impression’ for their fourth studio album ‘Brain Salad Surgery’.‘.

(L-R) Guitarist Robert Fripp, drummer Michael Giles, singer and guitarist Greg Lake, multi-instrumentalist Ian McDonald and songwriter Peter Sinfield, who formed the original line-up of King Crimson in 1969 CREDITS: Willie Christie/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

He also contributed other lyrics to their album ‘Works Volume 1’.‘Volume 2′ and ‘Love Beach’ works. He also wrote the UK Number Two hit ‘I Believe in Santa Claus’ with Greg Lake in 1975.

He was responsible for co-writing successful hit singles in the 80s and 90s. CherBucks Fizz, Five Star, Cliff Richard And Celine Dion.

In 2014, Fripp invited Sinfield to write an updated take on the lyrics of the song “21st Century’ Schizoid Man”.

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