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Michael Giles | |
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| Born | Michael Rex Giles (1942-03-01)1 March 1942 (age 83) Waterlooville,Hampshire, England |
| Genres | Jazz rock,progressive rock |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Instruments | Drums, percussion, vocals |
| Years active | 1960–2011 |
Michael Rex Giles (born 1 March 1942) is an English drummer, percussionist, and vocalist, best known as one of the co-founders ofKing Crimson in 1968. Prior to the formation of King Crimson, he was part of the eccentric pop trioGiles, Giles and Fripp along with his brother, bassistPeter, and guitaristRobert Fripp. They were active between 1967–1968.
Giles was born inWaterlooville,Hampshire, England.
His drumming technique is complex and polyrhythmic, based primarily on the jazz tradition, but also on the then developing progressive rock tradition. His playing dictated much of the compositional structure of the first King Crimson album,In the Court of the Crimson King.[1] Giles's compositional ear is evidenced by his ability to weave seamless tempo changes and subtle melodic deviations into his drumming throughout the album.
Giles andIan McDonald both left King Crimson in January 1970, though Giles played on the band's second album,In the Wake of Poseidon, as part of a temporary line-up before the remaining members had a set new line-up in place. He and McDonald recorded an album calledMcDonald and Giles, which was lighter in style than King Crimson, but still technically demanding. Giles then worked as a session player for the duration of the 1970s, appearing on albums byAnthony Phillips,Leo Sayer, andKevin Ayers. He also played on McDonald's 1999 solo albumDriver's Eyes.
Giles only solo album,Progress, was recorded at his home studio in 1978, but not released until 2003.
In 2002, he co-founded the21st Century Schizoid Band, a group composed of former King Crimson musicians, with the exception of his son-in-law, guitarist and vocalistJakko Jakszyk, who later joined King Crimson. After one studio session and a single tour, Giles passed the drum stool to another former King Crimson drummer,Ian Wallace.
In late 2008, an experimental group focused on improvisation was announced, Michael Giles' MAD Band, with Adrian Chivers and Dan Pennie.[2]
He was often cited byRush drummerNeil Peart as an influence.[3]
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