Robert Fripp Gives Blessing To Adrian Belew & Tony Levin’s New King Crimson Project
Tool drummer Danny Carey and legendary guitarist Steve Vai will join Belew and Levin in the new band BEAT that will perform 1980s King Crimson material.
By Scott Bernstein Mar 18, 2024 • 10:53 am PDT

Longtime King Crimson members guitarist Adrian Belew and bassist Tony Levin formed the new project BEAT along with Tool drummer Danny Carey and guitar virtuoso Steve Vai. The all-star quartet will honor King Crimson by performing material from King Crimson’s 1980s albums Three Of A Perfect Pair, Discipline and Beat.
One BEAT date has been announced as of press time. The show will take place at San Diego’s Humphrey’s Concerts By The Bay on September 17.
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While Belew, Levin, Carey and Vai have yet to acknowledge the new project on their individiual feeds, King Crimson co-founder and longest-lasting member Robert Fripp shared an image promoting the show and a note of encouragement on social media. “This is the project that Adrian Belew called me about last Autumn, a project which I support and fully encourage, and discussed with Steve Vai recently at McCabes in Santa Monica (3march2024). Even, I suggested the name,” wrote Fripp as pointed out by Louder Sound.
Released in 1981, Discipline was the first King Crimson album after a seven-year hiatus and to feature Adrian Belew and Tony Levin. Both Belew and Levin also contributed to 1982’s Beat and 1984’s Three Of A Perfect Pair as part of a King Crimson lineup that also included Robert Fripp and drummer Bill Buford.
It remains to be seen if BEAT confirms additional performances. Tickets for Beat in San Diego are on sale now via Ticketmaster.
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