Ian McDonald (born June 25, 1946) is an English multi-instrumental musician, best known as a founding member of progressive rock group King Crimson, formed in 1969, and the hard 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. June 25 is the 176th day of the year (177th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 189 days remaining. ... 1946 (MCMXLVI) was a common year starting on Tuesday. ... A multi-instrumentalist is a musician who plays a number of different instruments. ... Progressive rock (sometimes shortened to prog rock, prog, or progrock) is a subgenre of rock music which arose in the late 1960s, reached the peak of its popularity in the 1970s, and continues as a musical form to this day. ... A musical ensemble is, by definition, a group of three or more musicians who gather to perform music. ... King Crimson is an English musical group founded by guitarist Robert Fripp and drummer Michael Giles in 1969. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Foreigner is a rock band formed in New York City in 1976 by veteran musicians Mick Jones and Ian McDonald, along with then unknown vocalist Lou Gramm (Louis Grammatico). ... Session musicians are musicians available for hire, as opposed to musicians who are either permanent members of a musical outfit or who have acquired fame in their own right. ... A saxophonist is a musician who plays the saxophone. ... A typical Ludwig-Musser vibraphone. ...

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 McDonald 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 who released one album titled McDonald & Giles. London (pronounced ) is the capital city of England and the United Kingdom(coming from Roman Londinium ). An important settlement for around two millennia, London is today one of the worlds most important business and financial centres, [1] and its involvement in politics, culture, education, entertainment, media, fashion, sport and... The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. ... Classical music is a broad, somewhat imprecise term, referring to music produced in, or rooted in the traditions of, European art, ecclesiastical and concert music, encompassing a broad period from roughly 1000 to the present day. ... A philharmonic orchestra An orchestra is a musical ensemble used most often in classical music. ... Rock and roll (also spelled Rock n Roll, especially in its first decade), also called rock, is a form of popular music, usually featuring vocals (often with vocal harmony), electric guitars and a strong back beat; other instruments, such as the saxophone, are common in some styles. ... King Crimson is an English musical group founded by guitarist Robert Fripp and drummer Michael Giles in 1969. ... In the Court of the Crimson King is the title of a 1969 album by the British progressive rock group King Crimson. ...

Mcdonald was also a member/founder of Gibraltar and 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 Bryan Ferry. McDonald's latest solo record is Drivers Eyes in 1999. Foreigner is a rock band formed in New York City in 1976 by veteran musicians Mick Jones and Ian McDonald, along with then unknown vocalist Lou Gramm (Louis Grammatico). ... T. Rex (originally known as Tyrannosaurus Rex, also occasionally spelled T Rex or T-Rex), were an English rock band fronted by Marc Bolan. ... Bryan Ferry (born 26 September 1945 in Washington, Tyne and Wear) is an English singer, musician and songwriter, famed for his suave visual and vocal style, who came to public prominence in the 1970s as lead vocalist and principal songwriter with Roxy Music. ...

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. Epitaph is a live 4CD set of concert performances and radio sessions by the band King Crimson, released in 1997. ... 21st Century Schizoid Band is a King Crimson alumnus group formed in 2002. ... Bass player and vocalist who, with his brother Michael Giles and Robert Fripp, formed Giles, Giles, and Fripp. ... The cover of King Crimsons debut album In the Court of the Crimson King (1969). ... Jakko M. Jakszyk (born Michael Lee Curran on June 8th 1958) is a guitarist and vocalist who has played with Level 42. ... Mark King and Mike Lindup of Level 42 Level 42 is a British pop and funk band. ... Ian Wallace (born September 29, 1946, in Bury, England) was a drummer with King Crimson during the years 1971 to 1972. ...

Discography with Foreigner

• Foreigner (1977)
• Double Vision (1978)
• Head Games (1979)

Foreigner is the self-titled debut album by American rock band Foreigner, released in 1977 (see 1977 in music). ... Double Vision is the second album by American rock band Foreigner, released in 1978 (see 1978 in music). ... Head Games is the third album by American rock band Foreigner, released in 1979 (see 1979 in music). ...

References

• King Crimson Biography
• Grammy Records - Ian McDonald

External links

• Official Ian McDonald homepage
• Camino Records