All vocals and guitar parts were recorded at Kingsway in New Orleans, and the mixing was carried out at Electric Ladyland in New York with the help of Peter Gabriel's engineer David Bottrill.

Chapman stick player Trey Gunn provided a foundation for Fripp to experiment on electric guitar.

The First Day was released in three versions: a double LP (V2712), a regular CD (CDV 2712)[5] and a box set with eight photo prints (CDVX 2712).

Though very flattered, I decided that I didn’t feel equipped to take on the whole baggage and history that comes with being a member of King Crimson.

"In the end, three pieces were directly culled from live-performances, ’Jean The Birdman’, ’Firepower’ and ’20th Century Dreaming’, although the latter two were greatly extended and transformed in the studio.