Unveiling the Top Classic Rock Song of the 1970s: King Crimson's 'Starless
The 1970s were a golden era for classic rock music, with iconic hits that still resonate with music lovers today. Collider compiled a list of the "10 best classic rock songs of the 1970s," featuring timeless tracks like The Who's "Baba O'Riley," Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run," Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody," and David Bowie's "Heroes."
Among these legendary songs, King Crimson's 1974 masterpiece "Starless" from the album Red stood out as the top classic rock song of the '70s. Clocking in at over 12 minutes, "Starless" was praised for its unique sound and ability to captivate listeners with its intricate composition.
In a 1979 interview on The Boffomundo Show, the late John Wetton, the singer of King Crimson at the time, shared the story behind "Starless." Despite facing initial resistance from his bandmates Robert Fripp and Bill Bruford, Wetton believed in the song's potential and persisted in bringing it to life. Eventually, Fripp and Bruford came around to the idea and contributed their talents to the recording of "Starless" for the album Red.
As the '70s classic rock scene continues to inspire music enthusiasts, "Starless" remains a shining example of the era's musical brilliance and innovation.