Epitaph

The Zoo Crew is thrilled to spin "Epitaph" by King Crimson from their groundbreaking 1969 album In The Court Of The Crimson King for all you Zoo Freaks out there. This track, drenched in haunting mellotron and Greg Lake’s emotive vocals, carries a dystopian vibe that feels like a protest against the Cold War’s looming shadow. Lyricist Peter Sinfield shared in a 2019 interview that “Epitaph” started as a poem from his earlier band days, evolving through collaborative magic with bandmates like Ian McDonald and Greg Lake, who contributed the poignant line, “But I fear tomorrow I’ll be crying.” The song’s subtitle, “Including ‘March for No Reason’ and ‘Tomorrow and Tomorrow,’” might’ve been a cheeky move to boost royalties, as suggested by their management, though the band never clarified which sections match those titles. Genius notes this track’s heavy mellotron use helped define the progressive rock sound, making it a cornerstone for the genre.

Digging into the song’s impact, Songfacts highlights Greg Lake’s take: “‘Epitaph’ is basically a song about looking with confusion upon a world gone mad.” He noted its prophetic quality, with lyrics like “The fate of all mankind I see / Is in the hands of fools” ringing truer today than ever. Fans on Reddit still rave about its chilling relevance, with one user calling it a “nuclear war lament” that hits harder with each listen. The song’s legacy extends beyond music—Epitaph inspired the name of a 1997 live album capturing King Crimson’s 1969 performances, and even Epitaph Records took its name from this track. A 2019 post from King Crimson’s official Facebook celebrated a near-a cappella version of “Epitaph” for the album’s 50th anniversary, showcasing Lake’s vocal prowess, which DGMHQ on X called “an astonishing performance” that time hasn’t dimmed.

King Crimson kicked off in 1968 in London, sparked by guitarist Robert Fripp and drummer Michael Giles, who’d been gigging together in various outfits. Their early trio, Giles, Giles & Fripp, included bassist Peter Giles and flirted with quirky pop before morphing into something darker and more ambitious. Enter multi-instrumentalist Ian McDonald and lyricist Peter Sinfield, whose vision for blending rock, jazz, and classical elements birthed the band’s iconic sound. Greg Lake joined as bassist and lead vocalist, rounding out the lineup for their debut. AllMusic credits Fripp’s innovative guitar work as the band’s backbone, with their 1969 debut In The Court Of The Crimson King often hailed as the first true progressive rock album. Despite lineup changes—Lake left to form Emerson, Lake & Palmer—Fripp’s relentless experimentation kept King Crimson pushing boundaries, influencing everyone from Yes to Genesis.

Stay connected with King Crimson’s official website for tour dates, archival releases, and more. Follow them on Facebook (286,000+ likes) for updates and fan discussions, or check out their Instagram for behind-the-scenes shots and vintage photos. On X, DGMHQ and @frippofficial share news about releases like the 2023 USA album debut on YouTube. For Zoo Freaks craving community, dive into the r/KingCrimson subreddit, where fans geek out over albums like Red and debate the band’s wild discography. The King Crimson Fans Facebook group is another spot to swap stories and tattoo ideas inspired by the band’s iconic imagery. Keep rocking, Zoo Freaks!