- For several other people called Ian McDonald or a
similar spelling, see Ian McDonald.
Ian McDonald (born June 25, 1946, in Osterley, Middlesex)
is an English multi-instrumental musician,
best known as a founding member of progressive
rock group
King
Crimson, formed in 1969, and of the arena rock
band Foreigner in 1976. He is well-known
as a rock session musician, predominantly as
a saxophonist.
He also plays flute, vibraphone, keyboards and guitar.
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Contents
- 1 Biography
- 2 Discography
- 2.1 With
King Crimson
- 2.2 With
McDonald and Giles
- 2.3 With
Foreigner
- 2.4 Solo
album
- 2.5 With
21st Century Schizoid Band
- 3 References
- 4 External
links
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Biography
Born in London,
McDonald served five years in the British Army as a bandsman. His music
talent ranged from classical orchestra to
dance bands to rock. In 1969, he was in King
Crimson's initial line up, which recorded their first album In the Court of the
Crimson King. McDonald and drummer Michael
Giles departed and formed a spin-off group that released one album
titled McDonald and Giles.
McDonald was also a member/founder of Foreigner
for whom he also played guitar as well as his trademark woodwinds and
keyboards. He has been a session musician and appeared in the recording
of the hit single "Get It On (Bang a Gong)" by T.
Rex, and recordings by Linda Lewis, Christine Harwood amongst others.
He also has some production credits to his name, few of them being
albums by Fruupp, Darryll Way's Wolf and Fireballet. In 1999, he
released a solo album, Drivers Eyes.
In 1997, the release of the King Crimson 4-CD set Epitaph,
consisting of rare live recordings of the 1969 version of King Crimson,
renewed interest in the early Crimson material. Out of that interest,
the 21st Century Schizoid Band
was formed in 2002 and several tours and live albums have followed. The
band includes former King Crimson members Michael Giles (drums
& percussion), Peter Giles (bass), Ian
McDonald (sax, flute, keyboards), Mel Collins (alto/tenor sax, flute,
keyboards) and also Jakko Jakszyk from Level
42 on guitar and lead vocals. After the first tour Michael
Giles was replaced with another former King Crimson drummer Ian
Wallace, who has since died.
Discography
With King Crimson
- In the Court of the
Crimson King (1969)
- Epitaph
(1969 live recordings, released 1997)
With McDonald and Giles
- McDonald and Giles
(1971)
With Foreigner
- Foreigner
(1977)
- Double Vision
(1978)
- Head Games (1979)
Solo album
With 21st Century Schizoid Band
- Official Bootleg V.1
(2002)
- Live
in Japan (2003)
- Live
in Japan (2003) (DVD)
- Live in Italy (2003)
- Pictures
Of A City — Live in New York (2006)
References
External links
