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 1969. 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.

Michael Giles
Birth nameMichael Rex Giles
Born (1942-03-01) 1 March 1942
Waterlooville, Hampshire, England
GenresJazz fusion, progressive rock
Occupation(s)Musician
InstrumentsDrums, percussion
Years active1960–2011
Associated actsKing Crimson, Giles, Giles and Fripp, Leo Sayer, 21st Century Schizoid Band, Michael Giles MAD BAND

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,[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 and Ian McDonald both left King Crimson in December 1969, though Giles played on the band's second album, In the Wake of Poseidon as a session musician. He and Ian 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 Ian McDonald's 1999 solo album Driver's Eyes.

Giles also released a solo album, Progress, which 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 himself later joined King Crimson. After one studio session and a single tour, Giles passed the drum stool to another former King Crimson drummer, the late 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 the late Rush drummer Neil Peart as an influence.

Selected discography

Giles, Giles and Fripp

King Crimson

McDonald & 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

Kevin Ayers

John G. Perry
  • 1976 Sunset Wading
  • 1995 Seabird

Anthony Phillips

Ian McDonald
  • 1999 Driver's Eyes

21st Century Schizoid Band

Solo

Movie score

References
  1. "Interview with Michael Giles by Aymeric Leroy – ETWiki". Elephant-talk.com. Retrieved 15 October 2011.
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