Ian McDonald Died: What Was His Cause Of Death?

Ian McDonald, the founder of the prog band King Crimson and hard rock group Foreigner, died this week at his home in New York. The English musician has turned 75.

The British multi-instrumentalist died on Wednesday 9 February at his home in New York, surrounded by his family from cancer. He is 75 years old. “He was incredibly brave, and never lost his kindness and his sense of humor, even in the most difficult times,” McDonald’s son Max wrote on Facebook. “My father was a brilliant, intuitive musician, a tender soul, and a wonderful father. He will live on forever in his beautiful music and in the love of his fans.”

A spokesman for the artist confirmed that the British musician had died at his home in New York, and although he did not state the cause of death, McDonald’s son shared on Facebook that his father had cancer.

McDonald, as one of the founders of King Crimson, knew how to leave a huge mark on progressive rock. He formed the basis of the band in 1968, with which he released the debut album In the Court of the Crimson King a year later. McDonald co-wrote all the songs on the record, which has later been described as the most influential prog-rock album of all time.

The Brit was able to handle a large number of instruments. On In the Court of the Crimson King he played saxophone, flute, clarinet, mellotron, and piano.

In 1970 McDonald left the band again. A few years later, he was one of the founders of the American-English hard rock group Foreigner. The Brit released an extremely successful debut album with this band, including Cold As Ice. After playing on the first three albums, McDonald was joined by frontman Mick Jones in 1980.

It would not be a definitive break: in 2016, when the band celebrates its 40th anniversary, McDonald takes the stage as a guest artist during Foreigner performances.

The foreigner can be found three times in the NPO Radio 2 Top 2000 in 2021. Cold As Ice at spot 1501 is the only track on which Ian McDonald can be heard. In addition, I Want To Know What Love Is at 400 and That Was Yesterday at 1942 in the list.

Amelia Warner writes all the Latest Articles. She mostly covers Entertainment topics, but at times loves to write about movie reviews as well.

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