Michael Giles
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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Michael Rex Giles (born on March 1, 1942 in Waterlooville, Hampshire) is an English drummer, best known as the co-founder of King Crimson, drumming in the band's first lineup in 1969. His daughter, model Amanda Giles, is married to Jakko Jakszyk (ex-Level 42).
His playing is free and flowing, owing heavily to the jazz tradition while also drawing from rock players such as Mitch Mitchell and Ginger Baker. His playing often had a very orchestral feel as well, as seen on many of the songs of the first King Crimson album, In the Court of the Crimson King. In concert, he was a monster player, creating a huge sound upon which guitarist Robert Fripp, bassist Greg Lake and saxophonist Ian McDonald played their symphonic jazz-rock.
Giles left the group in late 1969, though he played as a session musician on the band's second album, In The Wake Of Poseidon. He joined Ian McDonald to record an album called McDonald and Giles, which was much lighter in style than King Crimson, but just as challenging musically. A solo album, Progress, was recorded in the late 1970s, but only released in the 2000s. He has continued to work as a session musician.
Recently, he co-founded the 21st Century Schizoid Band, a group mostly comprising of old King Crimson members but also including his son-in-law Jakszyk. However, after one tour, he tired of live work and passed the drum stool over to Ian Wallace, another former Crimson drummer, who died in February 2007.
