Sigh. And so soon after Greg Lake.
JK, I couldn't agree with you more. "Starless" was John's greatest highlight of a great career, his halcyon moment as a singer, a composer (the sublime main melody is his) and bassist. The buildup he does with Bill Bruford in the central section is simply jaw-dropping.
Another fantastic performance by John (crank up the bass to fully hear what he does here, practically a long solo under the song):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pePo-EQyJWw Please notice also the unmistakable flute by another great ex-King Crimson, Ian McDonald.