Bill Bruford

William Scott Bruford, born on May 17, 1949, is a distinguished English drummer and percussionist renowned for his role as a founding member of the influential progressive rock band Yes. After his departure from Yes in 1972, Bruford made significant contributions to the music scene throughout the 1970s, collaborating with notable acts such as King Crimson (1972–1974), Roy Harper (1975), and U.K. (1978), while also touring with Genesis in 1976. In 1978, he established his own band, Bruford, which remained active until 1980.

The 1980s saw Bruford rejoin King Crimson for a three-year period (1981–1984) and engage in fruitful collaborations with artists like Patrick Moraz and David Torn. He also founded the pioneering electric jazz ensemble Earthworks in 1986. His musical journey continued with the formation of Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe, briefly reuniting with Yes before returning to King Crimson for a final stint from 1994 to 1997, followed by a new acoustic setup of Earthworks.

On January 1, 2009, Bruford retired from professional drumming, though he occasionally performed at private events. He later focused on various projects, including running his record labels, Summerfold and Winterfold, and publishing his autobiography. In 2016, he earned a PhD in Music from the University of Surrey, and that year, he was honored as No. 16 on Rolling Stone's list of the "100 Greatest Drummers of All Time." In 2017, Bruford's legacy was further solidified with his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Yes.