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Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] King Crimson's Mk2 Trons

From: callioperecords@yahoo.com
Date: 2010-07-27

Amazing!

I've heard the story about the "local" mellotron first hand a few months back. Might be a different tale but...

I was on tour across the states opening for Daltrey, we were in Maryland, and I was apporached by the director of the venue inquiring about the tron I was using, we got to talking and he showed me some very interesting pics on his computer. Apparently this guys band got offered an opening slot at KC shows in exchange for use of his tron. He showed me several scanned pics from through the years w KC. Some very funny,but I'm positive I remember the pics of him w his 400 and wetton. I also believed he mentioned something about late '69, "when he first met them"

Since that conversation I've been wondering, "where are the trons now?" Really exciting to see you guys have the answer! Think they'll get auctioned off anytime soon? ;)

-Martin

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®


From: nickhewitt25 <no_reply@yahoogroups.com>
Sender: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Date: Tue, 27 Jul 2010 15:44:38 -0000
To: <newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com>
ReplyTo: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [newmellotrongroup] King Crimson's Mk2 Trons

 

If my info is correct, the photo put up by LSF5275 IS the ITCOTCK (and THRAK) MkII. The photo was taken by Robert Cervero in 1999 when he was invited to KC Central for the 30th Anniversary bash. The MkII in question is serial number 13. They also owned (still do) MkII, no.113, which was used on "…Poseidon". They also used a 3rd MkII in the US (locally hired?) for the 1969 tour, which (I believe) is on display in the Smithsonian.

The 2 white M400's (used live by the Boz/Wallace and Wetton/Cross line-ups - I saw the latter line-up 3 times in '72/3) were Serial Numbers 211 & 354. A little later, black 1199 was purchased and used live by Fripp from late '73 or early '74, though never in the UK. In 1993, he bought #1627 from Uriah Heep's keyboardist (Ken Hensley?) – this was the one covered in carpet. I believe that ALL the KC trons are stored with Streetly, but check with them. I've heard the story about KC flogging a MkII to Genesis, but I've been assured that this never happened. John Wetton DID acquire one of KC's 'trons (dunno which one), but that found it's way back into Fripp's ownership.

The fire at the Electric Playground in Chicago was rumoured to have been started by the mafia (the theatre being the target, not Crimson), and a MkII had its keys water-damaged by the local Fire Brigade.

The source of this info is Fripp's own on-line diaries (when he put all his trons up for auction), and info from Streetly via e-mail, though the latter data MAY be out of date.

Nick, fae Embra