THE BURRELL AND WALLACE SHOW
Despite their short tenure in King Crimson, both Boz Burrell and Ian Wallace made a considerable mark on rock music.
Having stayed in the USA with Ian Wallace and Mel Collins as members of Alexis Korner’s new band Snape, Boz Burrell enjoyed renewing his relationship with some of the blues-based music that had very much been part of his early career. In 1973 he became a founding member of Bad Company. His rocksolid bass playing provided a strong foundation for the best-selling stadium-friendly rock band comprised of ex-Free members Paul Rodgers (vocals) and Simon Kirke (drums) and ex-Mott The Hoople guitarist Mick Ralphs. Famously describing King Crimson’s music and lyrics as “airy-fairy shit”, Boz had found his natural comfort zone and would remain with the band until their initial split in the early 80s. Although he briefly rejoined Bad Company in the 90s, in the aftermath of the group he spent time working as a member of Alvin Lee’s band and gigging with ex-Family vocalist Roger Chapman.
In the 21st century Boz took things a bit easier, spending time at home, putting a golf ball around and working with his old friend vocalist Tam White as part of White’s Celtic Groove Connection band. In 2006, White was with Boz at his home in Marbella when Boz suffered a heart attack. Neil Warden, Tam White’s guitarist, recalled that they were going out to party and play with some friends: “Boz picked up a guitar and sat back in his seat and slumped over and passed away. Efforts were made to revive him before the emergency services arrived, but with no luck.” He was just 60 years old.
After leaving King Crimson, Ian Wallace became an in-demand drummer, eventually relocating to the USA and working in live and studio settings with Peter Frampton, Jackson Browne, The Traveling Wilburys and Alvin Lee. He had two stints with Bob Dylan in the 70s and 90s, and also worked with Warren Zevon, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Jon Anderson, Eric Clapton, Joe Walsh, Steve Marriott, Don Henley, Bonnie Raitt and many others. For a long time Wallace was keen to put quite a lot of distance between himself and King Crimson, but made his peace with Fripp in the late 90s and, in a strange case of history repeating itself, he replaced Michael Giles in the 21st Century Schizoid Band in 2003 after Giles abruptly quit. Wallace also formed the Crimson Jazz Trio, releasing King Crimson Songbook, Volume One in 2005, featuring a reworking of a career-spanning selection of Crimson tunes for piano, bass and drums. …Volume Two, released four years later, included a guest spot from Mel Collins and an imaginative reworking of material from Islands. On hearing of Boz’s death, Wallace wrote, “Boz, wherever you are I hope you don’t rest in peace. I hope you’re playing your balls off somewhere with people you love… Save a place for me, my brother.”
Wallace died from cancer just five months later in February 2007, also aged 60. At his memorial service held in London the following month, Robert Fripp led the eulogy and Mel Collins and Jakko Jakszyk performed the title track from Islands.