Robert Fripp, the legendary guitarist best known for his work with King Crimson and collaborations with Andy Summers of The Police, has revealed that he recently suffered a heart attack. Just days before his 79th birthday on May 16, Fripp shared the news with fans during the latest episode of his Upbeat Moments video series, which he co-hosts with his wife and artistic partner Toyah Willcox. Despite the alarming health scare, Fripp maintained his signature wit and composure, stating, “My upbeat moment is: I’m alive.”
The ordeal began with persistent chest pains that Fripp initially dismissed as acid reflux. However, the discomfort lingered for a couple of weeks and became concerning enough for him to seek medical advice. Planning to travel to Bergamo, Italy to participate in an Orchestra Of Crafty Guitarists event, Fripp scheduled a doctor’s appointment upon his arrival. That decision proved to be life-saving. Following his evaluation, he was swiftly taken to the hospital where he underwent two emergency surgeries.
As Toyah recounted the frightening sequence of events, she described how fortunate they were to be “in the right place at the right time.” Yet, the language barrier added a layer of difficulty and stress. With few English-speaking staff members in the hospital, even basic communication became challenging. At one point, Fripp mistakenly began undressing when asked what he wanted to eat. “They were complex moments,” he recalled, illustrating the confusion and emotional strain of the experience.
Doctors diagnosed Fripp with a trifurcated artery. He underwent two procedures during which stents were inserted. While recovering, Fripp kept his sense of humor intact, noting the surprise of an orderly unexpectedly shaving his groin in preparation for surgery while he was still unsure of what was happening.
Although he was unable to perform in Bergamo, Fripp remained actively involved in the event by directing the Guitar Circle performance. “It was stunning,” he said of the concert, praising the audience’s readiness and describing the night as “a magical event” despite his physical absence from the stage.
Fripp’s health situation didn’t stop him from continuing to support the wider music community. He has closely followed Beat, the King Crimson tribute band featuring guitar luminaries Steve Vai and Adrian Belew. Vai shared that just three days into their first tour, Fripp sent him an email with insightful tips to help with a particularly challenging piece, exemplifying the guitarist’s enduring commitment to his craft and peers even during recovery.
Now back home and recuperating, Fripp remains in good spirits and continues to reflect on the experience with a mix of gratitude and dry humor, further endearing himself to fans and reaffirming his status as one of music’s most resilient figures.
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