Robert Fripp Question

I've heard Fripp and others make the claim definitely.  I don't know what kind of verification you could possibly find unless someone has clean urine samples of Fripp's.....(joking, that still would prove nothing)

^ Exactly.  Look at Frank Zappa, for instance. 

I suspect he may have ingested some Lark Tongues in Aspic at one point!

slidesandbends wrote: Hey guys, For a long time now I've been learning about the crafters of prog; I read the yes book "close to the edge" and Im constantly on the internet. One thing I keep getting is the assertion that Fripp never used drugs in any capacity. Regardless of what personal beliefs are, its important to realize that those who did use responsibly (Just ask Steve Howe, Hackett, Derek Shulman) had distinctive creative edges. Can anyone confirm to me that this is true? That Fripp was completely clean?

I've been acquainted with Fripp since 1982, when he was touring small record stores, Les Paul and REVOX tape player in hand, to demonstrate "Frippertronics."  Later on, I proudly served as bassist to one of his earliest Guitar Craft students, Lon Jones, in the Tulsa, OK band "Cavu."   It's been years since I've caught up with RF, but he made his philosophy known to all back when he spoke out more openly.  Let me provide my thoughts:

Back in the early days, RF did smoke cigarettes, and he has long been a consumer of caffeine as is famously known.  However, he has also had a serious interest in diet and purity of food, so I don't believe he dabbled in the hallucinogenics that others of the era were experimenting with (Chris Squire's consumption of LSD early on for example). 

I gather that RF probably was somewhat revulsed by the things he saw happen on the evolving prog scene in London, and avoided the drugs entirely except for the ciggies.  I believe he also tipped a pint or two, absolutely normal in Britain.  He is now firmly against smoking and pursues a very healthy lifestyle and diet. 

When Fripp first decided to become a professional guitarist, he launched into a very serious study regime of at least 6 hours/day of practice.  Drugs would have been a distraction from his goal.  He has written extensively about the need for discipline related to his Guitar Craft education efforts, worth reading about.  Crafties lead a very austere lifestyle, and drug use is absolutely forbidden. 

Hope this helps, I'm attaching a link to a great interview with Peter Banks that discusses the early era. 

He has been known to frequently indulge in aphorisms:
May we have the clarity to see what is required of us, the courage to accept it, and the capacity to discharge it.
Necessity is a measure of aim.
Everything we are is revealed in our playing.
The presence of absence is an entry into loss.
We may not have an equality of talent. We may not have an equality of experience.
But we may be equal in aspiration. We can be equal in commit-ment.
Music is a powerful and direct teacher which speaks to us all, to the degree that we are able to hear.
http://disciplineglobalmobile.com/


Understanding is simple. Knowing is complicated.


Edited by Slartibartfast - February 18 2010 at 12:53

slidesandbends wrote: Regardless of what personal beliefs are, its important to realize that those who did use responsibly (Just ask Steve Howe, Hackett, Derek Shulman) had distinctive creative edges.

My understanding about Fripp's abstinence is that of others here, and I also seem to recall Gabriel having similar views. Drug taking was not obligatory!

slidesandbends wrote: Is it suggested that Howe really did do alot? Ive seen him imply things in interviews but do you think marijuana was a regularity with lsd?

Slartibartfast wrote:

now wait, is that the original Celtic knot or the post-lawsuit redesigned one?

I've the impression that Fripp is something of a heavy drinker (to curb his synesthesia attacks).  Alcohol is a bit more harmful to the body than certain 'soft drugs' like marijuana, despite its legal status.

Edited by Man Overboard - February 18 2010 at 22:36