Peter Sinfield was a poet and songwriter best known as co-founder and lyricist for influential progressive rock band King Crimson, penning the lyrics on their acclaimed debut LP, “In the Court of the Crimson King.”
- Died: November 14, 2024 (Who else died on November 14?)
- Details of death: Died at the age of 80.
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Peter Sinfield’s legacy
Legendary progressive rock band King Crimson may not have taken the form they did were it not for the influence of Peter Sinfield, a guitarist and singer who put down his instrument and picked up a pen to become the band’s lyricist and, at times, general artistic director. The band’s lightshows, heady song material, and even their name came from his imagination.
Sinfield had been interested in literature from an early age, though he drifted into music while attending the Chelsea School of Art in London. There, he learned to play guitar and met composer Ian McDonald (1946–2022), who convinced him to abandon the instrument and stick to writing. When McDonald joined brother musicians Michael and Peter Giles – later replaced by Greg Lake (1947–2016) – and Robert Fripp to form a progressive rock band, he urged them to consider Sinfield for song lyrics. That group became King Crimson.
More than just its lyricist, Sinfield ended up guiding the band’s look and fashion sense, its artistic direction, light shows, and more, playing an integral role in the development of their first four albums, until Fripp asked him to leave the band due to creative differences.
When Lake left to form Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Sinfield came along and provided lyrics for “Brain Salad Surgery” and other songs. He also worked with many other artists over the years, including writing the words for the Celine Dion hit “Think Twice,” producing the first Roxy Music album, penning the lyrics for Cher’s “Heart of Stone,” and more. In 1973, he also released a solo album, “Still.”
Notable quote
“I thought about attempting to become the UK’s answer to Leonard Cohen but since I hated and failed to overcome the stage fright to enjoy public performing, it was probably just as well.” — interview with Billy Donald
Tributes to Peter Sinfield
Full obituary: The New York Times
