Concert: Adrian Belew

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Adrian Belew is an American guitarist and vocalist who remains one of the most underrated and woefully overlooked guitarists of recent times. Like all great guitarists, Belew has his own recognizable style/sound and is an incredibly versatile player and has always found a way to make his signature style fit into a wide variety of musical genres: hard rock, funk, new wave, experimental, Beatlesque pop, and more. He has also released a number of solo albums for Island Records and Atlantic Records, and has worked with many other musicians.

Belew joined a Nashville, TN-based cover band, Sweetheart. 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 Zappa's lengthy 1978 U.S. tour that David Bowie came to see a performance, which resulted in Belew being invited to join Bowie's touring band when the Zappa tour wrapped up. 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 album's supporting tour. 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". It was during The Tom Tom Club recording sessions that Belew also began work on his first solo album, issued in 1982 as Lone Rhino. Crimson issued three outstanding albums: 1981's Discipline, 1982's Beat, and 1984's Three of a Perfect Pair . 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 in addition to guesting on other artist's recordings and producing others.

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 , issued a third recording with the Bears 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 released in 2005.