Foreigner and King Crimson founder Ian McDonald dies of cancer aged 75 surrounded by his family
- Co-founding member of the two rock groups, he died peacefully surrounded by his loved ones on Wednesday after a battle with cancer
- He was in hugely influential King Crimson with guitarist Robert Fripp, drummer Michael Giles, singer and guitarist Greg Lake and lyricist Peter Sinfield
- Recorded Cold As Ice with Foreigner, but left before they did Waiting for a Girl Like You and I Want to Know What Love Is
Foreigner and King Crimson rocker Ian McDonald has died at the age of 75, his family have announced today.
McDonald, who was a co-founding member of the two rock groups, died peacefully surrounded by his loved ones on Wednesday after a battle with cancer, according to his agent.
The English musician, born in Osterley, West London, in 1946, founded seminal progressive rock band King Crimson in 1969.
His keyboard and saxophone were playing at the heart of the band’s hugely influential debut album In the Court of the Crimson King, dubbed ‘prog rock’s big bang’ by Rolling Stone magazine.
Ian McDonald is pictured performing live onstage with King Crimson. The band were hugely influential
After a string of hits and two studio albums, including In the Court of the Crimson King, which reached number 5 in the UK album charts, McDonald left the band.
He originally teamed up with King Crimson drummer Michael Giles to form the band McDonald and Giles.
After moving across the Atlantic, he co-founded the British-American band Foreigner in New York in 1976.
He played guitar on their classic songs including Cold As Ice, Feels Like The First Time and Double Vision in the late 70s.
But he left before they recorded 1980s standards Waiting for a Girl Like You and I Want to Know What Love Is.
In a post on Facebook, his son Max wrote: ‘I’m deeply saddened to tell you that my father passed away yesterday from cancer.
‘He was incredibly brave, and never lost his kindness or his sense of humor even when the going was rough.
‘My father was a brilliant, intuitive musician, a gentle soul, and a wonderful dad. He will live on forever through his beautiful music and the love of his fans. Thank you all.’
King Crimson’s original line-up, pictured (left to right) in 1969: Guitarist Robert Fripp, drummer Michael Giles, singer and guitarist Greg Lake, Ian McDonald and lyricist Peter Sinfield
Ian McDonald plays the sax alongside Roy Wood (The Move), Steve Howe (Tomorrow, Yes, Asia) and Tom Petersson of Cheap Trick at a Bosnian Benefit concert at Irving Plaza in New York City on November 21, 1995
Foreigner co-founder Al Greenwood was among those paying tribute, writing: ‘He was like a brother to me. A true musical genius, Ian’s musicianship was an integral part of launching both King Crimson and Foreigner into legendary status.
‘His contribution to Foreigner’s success was immense. Ian was a dear friend, a kind and wonderful man, and I will miss him terribly.’
Meanwhile, tributes have today flooded in from other artists, including US guitarist Steve Stevens, who recalled King Crimson’s debut as ‘the most important recording in progressive rock’.
Sid Smith, who wrote the book In The Court of King Crimson, tweeted that McDonald’s ‘contribution to King Crimson was invaluable and profound’.
The trailer for a new documentary about the band was released just last week, with McDonald seen apologising to co-founder Robert Fripp for leaving.
,