Robert Fripp is probably one of the more intelligent and mature acid-rock and progressive rock guitarists.
King Crimson was heavily listened to by many musicians, maybe not inspiring clone acts with their extremely high tech and expensive recordings and stage gear, but for the musical moods and variety they offered. "26th Century Schitzoid Man" with it's combination riffs with sax was fast and a creeper. "In the Court of the Crimson King" made it cool to play recorders and sound acoustic, even if that breathy and changing Mellotron sound keeps poking out at you. That was probably one of the most stuck on the wall album covers of all time, getting copied and painted on a lot of jackets. Robert Fripp kept going, pushing his musical boundaries quietly, touring small venues to introduce fans to new performances, and touring as bands under the King Crimson name.
Greg Lake, lead singer for King Crimson, parlayed this musical credibility into joining Emerson, Lake and Palmer, more successful and as influential for keyboards.
"said the sad man, to the mad man, where have you been?"