Adrian Belew
By All Music Guide
By All Music Guide
Spending the remainder of the 60s and early 70s honing his skills, Belew opted to change his first name to Adrian in 1975 (for the simple reason that it was a name hed always admired), as he joined a Nashville, TN-based cover band, Sweetheart, the same year. The group performed in 40s-era suits and became a popular local attraction -- resulting in Frank Zappa checking out a show in 1977. With an opening for a guitarist in his touring band, Zappa invited Belew on the spot to come and audition for his band, which Belew eventually landed. It was during Zappas lengthy 1978 U.S. tour (documented in the concert movie #Baby Snakes) that David Bowie came to see a performance, which resulted in Belew being invited to join Bowies touring band when the Zappa tour wrapped up. Once more, Belew accepted, touring the world alongside Bowie and appearing on his 1978 live recording, Stage, and 1979 studio effort, Lodger.
Once more, just as Belews latest gig was about to wind down, he received an offer he couldnt refuse from another artist. Through guitarist Robert Fripp, Belew met renowned producer Brian Eno, who in turn introduced the guitarist to the Talking Heads, who were in the middle of recording their classic 1980 release Remain in Light. Belew was invited to lay down guitar for the songs, which led to his participation on the albums supporting tour (which a portion of the live compilation The Name of This Band Is Talking Heads showcased). Belew also contributed to the Talking Heads offshoot project, the Tom Tom Club, appearing on their self-titled 1981 debut album, as well as their hit single Genius of Love (although he wasnt given a songwriting credit originally, it became known years later that Belew helped co-pen the tune with the others). It was during The Tom Tom Club recording sessions (in the Bahamas) that Belew also began work on his first solo album, issued in 1982 as Lone Rhino.
Predictably, it wasnt long before Belew was offered his next gig, this time with a newly reconstructed King Crimson. Belew, who handled lead vocal duties in addition to guitar, was joined by Crimson vets Robert Fripp (guitar) and Bill Bruford (drums), in addition to session ace Tony Levin (bass). With the group eschewing their previous prog rock leanings in favor of a more modern sound (akin to the Talking Heads), the 80s version of Crimson issued three outstanding albums: 1981s Discipline, 1982s Beat, and 1984s Three of a Perfect Pair (during which time Belew found the time to issue a second solo release, 1983s Twang Bar King). With Crimson on hiatus once more by the mid-80s, Belew focused on further solo work (1986s Desire Caught by the Tail, 1989s Mr. Music Head), session work (most notably, Paul Simons mega-hit Graceland), and also served as a member/producer of a new group, the Bears (1987s The Bears and 1988s Rise and Shine).
The 90s continued to see Belew keep a busy schedule, as he hooked up once more with his old pal David Bowie, who named the guitarist musical director for his massive 1990 ~Sound and Vision tour. Also during the decade, Belew issued several more solo releases (including 1990s Young Lions, 1992s Inner Revolution, 1994s Here, and 1996s Op Zop Too Wah, the latter two of which Belew played all the instruments), in addition to guesting on other artists recordings (Nine Inch Nails The Downward Spiral and The Fragile), and producing others (Jars of Clay). After a near-ten-year hiatus, King Crimson reunited, resulting in the 1995 album THRAK and supporting tour. Belew has shown little signs of slowing down in the 21st century, as he continued to tour and record with Crimson (2000s ConstruKction of Light, 2003s The Power to Believe), issued a third recording with the Bears (2001s Car Caught Fire), and is hard at work on compiling an extensive box set of rarities from throughout his career, to be titled Dust. 2004 saw rehearsals with the newest King Crimson lineup, additional recordings by the Bears and the completion of 3 (!) solo albums to be released in 2005. The first and third of these (Side One and Side Three) have Primus bassist Les Claypool and Tool drummer Danny Carey lending a hand while Side Two is more of a completely solo affair, with just a couple guest spots.
