So, it’s the summer of 1970; I am newly 12 years old, at my uncle’s house in Dallas with Not A Lot To Do; it was a great vacation. One afternoon, I go and poke around my college-freshman cousin’s record collection. He was off at South Padre with his custom dune buggy. Or something similar.

Anyway, I came across an album with a very disturbing cover. Cool. I put it on. Listened to both sides. Listened to both sides again. And a third time.

You have to understand that the #1 song in the country was “Close To You” by The Carpenters at that time; it was what I knew. This thing kicked me in the side of the head like a mule, and changed the game forever.

Saturday, Oct. 10th, 2009 is the 40th anniversary of the release of the album entitled “In the Court of the Crimson King (an observation by King Crimson).” I still have it on vinyl, and in great shape. One of my few material possessions that I’ve taken care of over the years.

Enjoy.

King Crimson – In The Court Of The Crimson King