Multi-instrumentalist Ian McDonald, who co-founded King Crimson and Foreigner, has passed away at the age of 75.
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A representative for McDonald said the musician “passed away peacefully on February 9, 2022 in his home in New York City, surrounded by his family.” His son wrote on Facebook that he had passed away from cancer.
King Crimson’s record label, Discipline Global Mobile, issued a statement on McDonald’s passing saying “Ian’s contribution to King Crimson was invaluable and profound.”
“Writing in the sleeve notes to the Epitaph box set in 1997, Robert Fripp noted, ‘Ian brought musicality, an exceptional sense of the short and telling melodic line, and the ability to express that on a variety of instruments.’"
McDonald was one of the co-founders of King Crimson and played an instrumental role in their famed debut album In the Court of the Crimson King. The 1969 album saw McDonald contribute saxophone, flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, Mellotron, harpsichord, piano, organ, vibraphone, and backing vocals to the record.
He departed King Crimson shortly afterwards and formed the spin-off group McDonald and Giles with fellow bandmate Michael Giles. The two would release one album together.
In 1976, McDonald became a co-founder of Foreigner and stayed with the group until 1980. He appeared on the group’s first three records, their self-titled 1977 debut, Double Vision, and Head Games. Many years later, McDonald would appear sporadically at Foreigner shows alongside surviving members.
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