King Crimson guitarist Robert Fripp has made controversial statements about legendary guitarists Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton in a resurfaced interview with Guitar Player.
The comments have recently been republished. They reveal Fripp’s critical perspective on two of rock’s most celebrated musicians. His remarks particularly target Clapton’s career trajectory and live performances.
“I’ve never really listened to guitarists, because they’ve never really interested me,” Fripp said. “I haven’t been influenced by Hendrix and Clapton in the way that most people would say it.”
Fripp offered a unique perspective on Hendrix. He distinguished between his musical expression and technical guitar playing.
“I don’t think Hendrix was a guitarist,” he continued. “I very much doubt if he was interested in guitar playing as such. He was just a person who had something to say and got on and said it.”
His criticism of Clapton was more direct. It spanned both the guitarist’s early and later career phases.
“Clapton I think is mostly quite banal, although he did some exciting things earlier in his life with Mayall,” Fripp said. “I saw Cream live once and I thought they were quite awful. Clapton’s work since, I think, has been excessively tedious.”
The interview highlights Fripp’s unconventional views on guitar playing. It also shows his position as one of rock’s most outspoken critics of mainstream guitar heroes.
Fripp’s critical stance toward his contemporaries reflects his own unique approach to music and innovation throughout his career. His dismissive comments about established guitar legends stand in stark contrast to his own groundbreaking contributions to progressive rock and experimental music.
Wikipedia reported that Fripp co-founded King Crimson in 1968. The band would become synonymous with musical innovation and complexity. The group’s debut album, In the Court of the Crimson King (1969), is widely regarded as a foundational work in progressive rock. It established Fripp as a visionary musician willing to challenge conventional rock structures.
Fripp’s experimental nature extended beyond King Crimson’s traditional lineup work. More Dark Than Shark documented that he pioneered the “Frippertronics” tape delay system alongside Brian Eno. This system significantly impacted ambient and experimental music genres. This innovative approach to sound manipulation demonstrated Fripp’s commitment to pushing musical boundaries rather than following established guitar hero conventions.
The King Crimson founder’s collaborative spirit also set him apart from the guitar-centric approach he criticized. Produce Like A Pro noted that Fripp worked with notable artists including David Bowie and Peter Gabriel. He contributed his distinctive guitar work to projects that prioritized artistic innovation over traditional rock stardom. His willingness to serve the music rather than showcase individual virtuosity reflects the philosophical differences underlying his criticism of Clapton’s career path.
Throughout King Crimson’s evolution across multiple decades and lineups, Fripp maintained his focus on musical complexity and artistic integrity. Mabumbe highlighted that albums like Red (1974) continued to showcase the band’s commitment to challenging musical conventions. This reinforced Fripp’s position as both an innovative guitarist and outspoken critic of mainstream rock approaches.
