On this day in 2007 Ian Wallace passed away. The drummer, who joined King Crimson in 1971 and recorded the Islands album that same year, had been diagnosed with oesophageal cancer.  

Notifying his many fans and admirers, Margie his widow wrote “"It breaks my heart to tell you all that Ian left us this morning. He slept through the night and was, to my mind, very comfortable. He was still fighting I asked him to let go and fly away...and he did."

After his time in King Crimson Ian went on to enjoy a long career in music, eventually relocating to the USA and playing with artists as diverse as Johnny Halliday, Ry Cooder, Bonnie Rait, Tim Buckley, Eric Clapton, Roy Orbison, Stevie Nicks, Joe Walsh, and Bob Dylan to name just a few. 

Ian was proud of his work with King Crimson and regarded Sailors Tale as one of his favourites because it enabled him "to do all my Tony Williams licks"...

In 2003 renewed his direct connection to King Crimson when he replaced Michael Giles in the 21st Century Schizoid Band, which featured ex-KC members Mel Collins, Ian McDonald, Peter Giles and future KC guitarist and vocalist, Jakko Jakszyk.

Ian also released two albums with his beloved Crimson Jazz Trio in 2005 and 2009...

Exactly a month after Ian's passing Robert Fripp gave a eulogy at a service of remembrance at which Mel Collins and Jakko Jakszyk also sang Islands by way of a tribute. 

Read Robert's eulogy to Ian here.