Adrian Belew

Born in Covington, Kentucky, Adrian Belew has built since the late 1970s a distinctive career spanning progressive rock, art rock, new wave and experimental pop. A guitarist, singer and songwriter, Belew first came to prominence in Frank Zappa’s band, then accompanied David Bowie on stage and contributed to Lodger in 1979. He can later be heard in the orbit of Talking Heads, notably on Remain in Light (1980), before becoming one of the voices and faces of King Crimson from 1981—appearing on albums such as Discipline, Beat and Three of a Perfect Pair, and later Thrak, The ConstruKction of Light and The Power to Believe. At the same time he has maintained an extensive solo discography, from Lone Rhino (1982) and Twang Bar King (1983) through Mr. Music Head (1989), Young Lions (1990), Here (1994), Op Zop Too Wah (1996), e (2009), Pop-Sided (2019) and Elevator (2022). His highly recognisable guitar style mixes melodic lines, abrasive textures, breathy and frictional effects and animal and mechanical imitations, in writing that can range from song-based formats to freer forms. Belew has also collaborated with Laurie Anderson, Paul Simon, Cyndi Lauper and Nine Inch Nails, and continues to perform live, notably with BEAT since 2024.