Michael Giles

Michael Giles
Michael Rex Giles (born 1 March 1942) is an English drummer, percussionist, and vocalist, best known as one of the co-founders of King Crimson in 1968. Prior to the formation of King Crimson, he was part of the eccentric pop trio Giles, Giles and Fripp along with his brother, bassist Peter, and guitarist Robert Fripp. They were active between 1967–1968.
Life and career
Giles was born in Waterlooville, 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. 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 and Ian 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 called McDonald 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 by Anthony Phillips, Leo Sayer, and Kevin Ayers. He also played on McDonald's 1999 solo album Driver'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 the 21st Century Schizoid Band, a group composed of former King Crimson musicians, with the exception of his son-in-law, guitarist and vocalist Jakko 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.
He was often cited by Rush drummer Neil Peart as an influence.
Selected discography
Giles, Giles and Fripp
1968 One in a Million/Newly Weds, Thursday Morning/Elephant Song (Singles)
1968 The Cheerful Insanity of Giles, Giles and Fripp
2001 The Brondesbury Tapes
2001 Metamorphosis
King Crimson
1969 In the Court of the Crimson King
1970 In the Wake of Poseidon
McDonald & Giles
1970 McDonald and Giles
Luther Grosvenor
1971 Under open skies
Murray Head
1972 Nigel Lived
Jackson Heights
1972 The Fifth Avenue Bus
1972 Ragamuffins Fool
1973 Bump n' Grind
Leo Sayer
1973 Silverbird
1974 Just a Boy
1975 Another year
Kevin Ayers
1974 The Confessions of Dr. Dream and Other Stories
Roger Glover & Guests
1974 The Butterfly Ball and the Grasshopper's Feast
John G. Perry
1976 Sunset Wading
1995 Seabird
Anthony Phillips
1978 Wise After the Event
1979 Sides
Ian McDonald
1999 Drivers Eyes
21st Century Schizoid Band
2002 Official Bootleg Volume One
2002 Live in Japan – Official Bootleg Volume Two
Solo
2002 Progress (recorded in 1978)
Movie score
1996 Ghost Dance (recorded in 1983, with Jamie Muir and David Cunningham)
References
1942 births
21st Century Schizoid Band members
Living people
English rock drummers
King Crimson members
Musicians from Bournemouth
People from Waterlooville
English session musicians
Progressive rock drummers
Penguin Cafe Orchestra members
Streetwalkers members