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.
Michael Giles | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Michael Rex Giles |
| Born | 1 March 1942 Waterlooville, Hampshire, England |
| Genres | Jazz fusion, progressive rock |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Instrument(s) | Drums, percussion, vocals |
| Years active | 1960–2011 |
Life and career
editGiles 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 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.[2]
He was often cited by Rush drummer Neil Peart as an influence.[3]
Selected discography
edit- 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
- 1970 McDonald and Giles
- 1971 Under open skies
- 1972 Nigel Lived
- 1972 The Fifth Avenue Bus
- 1972 Ragamuffins Fool
- 1973 Bump n' Grind
- 1973 Silverbird
- 1974 Just a Boy
- 1975 Another Year
Roger Glover & Guests
edit- 1976 Sunset Wading
- 1995 Seabird
- 1978 Wise After the Event
- 1979 Sides
- 1999 Drivers Eyes
The Micheal Giles Mad Band
editSolo
edit- 2009 Progress (recorded in 1978)
Movie score
edit- 1996 Ghost Dance (recorded in 1983, with Jamie Muir and David Cunningham)
References
edit- ^ "Interview with Michael Giles by Aymeric Leroy". Elephant-talk.com. 7 February 2000. Retrieved 15 October 2011.
- ^ "noise in your eye". Madband.co.uk. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
- ^ Peart, Neil (January 2003). "Neil Peart Speaks With Zildjian..." Zildjian (Interview). Archived from the original on 6 December 2003.