Adrian Belew is my hero.

I first learned about Adrian in 1985, where he was part of my favorite band, King Crimson. It’s a shame I learned about them a year after they broke up. Still, he was part of a band that changed the way I hear music.

https://youtu.be/Nl_LOkqKE7M?si=VdbcDwG_mPLXzoSi

Adrian was a part of Crimson for more than 30 years. His contributions were numerous, which included. It just his guitar work but as the band’s lyricist. But there were also times when he was allowed to just go off with his guitar.

https://youtu.be/Nl_LOkqKE7M?si=VdbcDwG_mPLXzoSi

It’s all but impossible to pick my favorite Adrian tune, so I’ll just go by the highest quality video I can find. Adrian loves to work in the “power trio” lineup, here’s a good reason why.

https://youtu.be/0B4-OoJo_ws?si=ZZsLihG-f8vWHPOs

I really enjoy it when things get a bit more complex, often leaving me to wonder how he did what just transpired before my very eyes.

https://youtu.be/Nl_LOkqKE7M?si=VdbcDwG_mPLXzoSi

As it happens, I had heard Adrian long before I thought I had, as he was part of Talking Heads in 1980 and ‘81. David Byrne and company let Adrian do his thing to augment already fantastic songs.

https://youtu.be/a03NRrOXDk8?si=RC-n3WBXbI4eyuKw

I’ve seen Adrian in person multiple times in multiple contexts. He never disappoints. I wrote a long chapter about him in my book.^ We’ve spoken several times. I think of him as a friend.

If you need a musical idol, you could do a helluva lot worse. Adrian has what you need to stimulate and satisfy your musical needs.

^ — Unfortunately, my book is currently out of print. I’m working on getting it re-released via another publisher.

#cirdecsongs

If you would like to have your music reviewed anytime or would like to have your band photographed while in Chicago (USA), please contact me at cirdecsongs@gmail.com