Foreigner and rock artist King Crimson died in New York at age 75 surrounded by family

ROCKER Ian McDonald, founder of the legendary group Foreigner and King Crimson, has died aged 75.

Max said, the UK-born musician had cancer and died in the family.

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“He is incredibly brave and never loses his kindness and sense of humor even when things get tough,” he wrote on Facebook.

“My father was a brilliant musician, intuitive, light-hearted and a wonderful father. He will live forever on his beautiful music and the love of his fans.”

McDonald wrote and played keyboard and saxophone on King Crimson’s iconic debut album, In the Court of the Crimson King.

The 1969 LP was described by Rolling Stone as “the big bang of prog rock”.

American guitarist Steve Stevens called the album “the most important record in progressive rock … sometimes the chaos of discord leads to aching beauty”.

McDonald later founded Foreigner, playing guitar on classical songs including Cold As Ice, Double Vision and Feels Like The First Time in the late 1970s.

But he left the group before they went on to further success in the 1980s with hits like Waiting for a Girl Like You and I Want to Know What Love Is.

Fellow Foreigner co-founder Al Greenwood paid homage to him, saying, “He’s like a brother to me. A true musical genius, Ian’s musical talent is that an integral part in making both King Crimson and Foreigner legendary.

“His contributions to Foreigner’s success were immeasurable. Ian was a dear friend, a kind and wonderful man, and I will miss him immensely.”

Born in Isleworth, now Greater London, in 1946, McDonald served five years in the British Army as a band before joining the King Crimson in 1969.

After their breakthrough performance in support of the Rolling Stones in Hyde Park on July 5, 1969, they released their debut album to widespread critical acclaim.

Rapper Kanye West even auditioned McDonald’s special saxophone from the song 21 Century Schizoid Man on his 2010 single Power.

He died at his home in New York on February 9, his family said.