Michael Giles
Encyclopedia
Michael Giles is an English
drummer
, best known as a co-founder of King Crimson
in 1969. Prior to the formation of Crimson, he also co-founded the short-lived Giles, Giles & Fripp with his brother, Peter, and Robert Fripp
the previous year.
, and his ability to weave challenging yet seamless tempo changes and subtle melodic deviations into a piece is not only evident in the compositions, but also in his highly elaborate and skilled drumming. He was most notably the first rock drummer to use more than one bass drum, so that he could play faster beats using those drums.
Giles left King Crimson in December 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. Giles then worked as a session musician for the duration of the 1970s, working with many popular artists including Leo Sayer
, Steve Winwood
, and Yvonne Elliman
. A solo album, Progress, was recorded at his home studio in 1978, but wasn't released until 2003. He continues to work as a session musician; most recently he contributed to Ian McDonald's 1999 solo album Driver's Eyes.
In 2002, he co-founded the 21st Century Schizoid Band
, a group composed mostly of former King Crimson members but that also included his son-in-law Jakko Jakszyk
(ex-Level 42
). 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.
In late 2008, a new venture was announced, Michael Giles' MAD Band, with Ad Chivers and Dan Pennie.http://www.madband.co.uk A release and live shows are planned for 2009.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
, best known as a co-founder of King Crimson
King Crimson
King Crimson are a rock band founded in London, England in 1969. Often categorised as a foundational progressive rock group, the band have incorporated diverse influences and instrumentation during their history...
in 1969. Prior to the formation of Crimson, he also co-founded the short-lived Giles, Giles & Fripp with his brother, Peter, and Robert Fripp
Robert Fripp
Robert Fripp is an English guitarist, composer and record producer. He was ranked 42nd on Rolling Stone magazine's 2003 list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time" and #47 on Gibson.com’s "Top 50 Guitarists of All Time". Among rock guitarists, Fripp is a master of crosspicking, a technique...
the previous year.
Biography
Giles' technique is complex and polyrhythmic, owing heavily to the jazz tradition, but grounding it in a rock context. Giles orchestrated much of the compositional structure of the first Crimson album In the Court of the Crimson KingIn the Court of the Crimson King
In the Court of the Crimson King is the 1969 debut album by the British progressive rock group King Crimson. The album reached No. 5 on the British charts, and is certified gold in the United States....
, and his ability to weave challenging yet seamless tempo changes and subtle melodic deviations into a piece is not only evident in the compositions, but also in his highly elaborate and skilled drumming. He was most notably the first rock drummer to use more than one bass drum, so that he could play faster beats using those drums.
Giles left King Crimson in December 1969, though he played as a session musician on the band's second album, In The Wake Of Poseidon. He joined Ian McDonald
Ian McDonald (musician)
Ian McDonald is an English multi-instrumental musician, best known as a founding member of progressive rock group King Crimson, formed in 1969, and of the hard rock band Foreigner in 1976. He is well-known as a rock session musician, predominantly as a saxophonist...
to record an album called McDonald and Giles
McDonald and Giles
McDonald and Giles is an album of music released by British musicians Ian McDonald and Michael Giles in 1971. The album was first issued on Island Records in the U.K. and in the U.S. as Cotillion Records , a division of Atlantic Records. The album was recorded at Island Studios between May and...
, which was much lighter in style than King Crimson, but just as challenging musically. Giles then worked as a session musician for the duration of the 1970s, working with many popular artists including Leo Sayer
Leo Sayer
Leo Sayer is a British singer-songwriter, musician, and entertainer whose singing career has spanned four decades. Sayer became a naturalised Australian citizen in 2009. Sayer was a top singles and album act on both sides of the Atlantic in the 1970s...
, Steve Winwood
Steve Winwood
Stephen Lawrence "Steve" Winwood is an English international recording artist whose career spans nearly 50 years. He is a songwriter and a musician whose genres include soul music , R&B, rock, blues-rock, pop-rock, and jazz...
, and Yvonne Elliman
Yvonne Elliman
Yvonne Marianne Elliman is an American singer who performed for four years in the first cast of Jesus Christ Superstar...
. A solo album, Progress, was recorded at his home studio in 1978, but wasn't released until 2003. He continues to work as a session musician; most recently he contributed to Ian McDonald's 1999 solo album Driver's Eyes.
In 2002, he co-founded the 21st Century Schizoid Band
21st Century Schizoid Band
21st Century Schizoid Band are a King Crimson alumnus group formed in 2002.The name derives from the famous song "21st Century Schizoid Man" from the first King Crimson album, In the Court of the Crimson King...
, a group composed mostly of former King Crimson members but that also included his son-in-law Jakko Jakszyk
Jakko Jakszyk
Jakko M. Jakszyk is an English guitarist, singer-songwriter , multi-instrumentalist and producer...
(ex-Level 42
Level 42
Level 42 are an English pop rock and jazz-funk band who had a number of worldwide and UK hits during the 1980s and 1990s.The band gained fame for their high-calibre musicianship—in particular that of Mark King, whose percussive slap-bass guitar technique provided the driving groove of many of the...
). However, after one tour, he tired of live work and passed the drum stool over to Ian Wallace
Ian Wallace (drummer)
Ian Russell Wallace was a rock and jazz drummer, most visible as a member of progressive rock band, King Crimson from 1971 to 1972; but known best in the musical community with his contributions as a session musician on his drum kit.-Early years:Wallace formed his first band, The Jaguars, at...
, another former Crimson drummer, who died in February 2007.
In late 2008, a new venture was announced, Michael Giles' MAD Band, with Ad Chivers and Dan Pennie.http://www.madband.co.uk A release and live shows are planned for 2009.
Selected discography
- 1968 The Cheerful Insanity of Giles, Giles and FrippThe Cheerful Insanity of Giles, Giles and FrippThe Cheerful Insanity of Giles, Giles and Fripp was the first album from the 1960s psychedelic rock group Giles, Giles and Fripp.In addition to 13 songs, the album contains two comedic spoken word pieces, "The Saga of Rodney Toady" and "Just George", which are interspersed between the songs...
(Giles, Giles and FrippGiles, Giles and FrippGiles, Giles and Fripp were an English late 1960s band, featuring brothers Michael Giles on drums and vocals, Peter Giles on bass guitar and vocals, and Robert Fripp on guitar.-Career:...
) - 1968/2001 The Brondesbury Tapes (Giles, Giles and Fripp)
- 1969 In the Court of the Crimson KingIn the Court of the Crimson KingIn the Court of the Crimson King is the 1969 debut album by the British progressive rock group King Crimson. The album reached No. 5 on the British charts, and is certified gold in the United States....
(King CrimsonKing CrimsonKing Crimson are a rock band founded in London, England in 1969. Often categorised as a foundational progressive rock group, the band have incorporated diverse influences and instrumentation during their history...
) - 1970 In the Wake of PoseidonIn the Wake of PoseidonIn the Wake of Poseidon is the second album by the progressive rock group King Crimson. By the time this album was released, the band had already undergone their first change in line-up, however they still maintained much of the style of their first album, In the Court of the Crimson King.Greg Lake...
(King Crimson) - 1970 McDonald and GilesMcDonald and GilesMcDonald and Giles is an album of music released by British musicians Ian McDonald and Michael Giles in 1971. The album was first issued on Island Records in the U.K. and in the U.S. as Cotillion Records , a division of Atlantic Records. The album was recorded at Island Studios between May and...
(McDonald and Giles) - 1973 SilverbirdSilverbird (album)Silverbird is the debut album by English singer-songwriter, Leo Sayer, which was released in 1973.-Track listing:All songs written by Leo Sayer, except where noted#"Innocent Bystander" – 3:02#"Slow Motion" – 1:44#"Drop Back" – 3:29...
(Leo SayerLeo SayerLeo Sayer is a British singer-songwriter, musician, and entertainer whose singing career has spanned four decades. Sayer became a naturalised Australian citizen in 2009. Sayer was a top singles and album act on both sides of the Atlantic in the 1970s...
) - 1974 Just a BoyJust a BoyJust a Boy is the second album by English singer-songwriter, Leo Sayer, and was released in 1974.-Track listing:All songs by Sayer and David Courtney#"Telepath" – 3:12#"Train" – 4:25#"The Bells of St...
(Leo Sayer) - 1975 Another Year (Leo Sayer)
- 1978/2002 Progress (solo album)
- 1996 Ghost Dance (Giles, MuirJamie MuirJamie Muir is a UK painter and former percussionist, best known for his work in King Crimson.-Biography:Muir attended Edinburgh College of Art during the 1960s and began playing jazz on trombone before settling on percussion....
, CunninghamDavid CunninghamDavid Cunningham lives and works in London. Cunningham's work has ranged from pop music to gallery installations, including work for television, film, contemporary dance, and a number of collaborations with visual artists...
) - 1999 Driver's Eyes (Ian McDonaldIan McDonald (musician)Ian McDonald is an English multi-instrumental musician, best known as a founding member of progressive rock group King Crimson, formed in 1969, and of the hard rock band Foreigner in 1976. He is well-known as a rock session musician, predominantly as a saxophonist...
) - 2002 Official Bootleg Volume OneOfficial Bootleg V.1Official Bootleg V.1 is the first CD release by the 21st Century Schizoid Band. It features the band playing in the studio songs they had previously performed in King Crimson.-Track list:...
(21st Century Schizoid Band21st Century Schizoid Band21st Century Schizoid Band are a King Crimson alumnus group formed in 2002.The name derives from the famous song "21st Century Schizoid Man" from the first King Crimson album, In the Court of the Crimson King...
) - 2002 Live in Japan -- Official Bootleg Volume TwoLive in Japan (21st Century Schizoid Band album)Live in Japan is the second "Official Bootleg" release by the 21st Century Schizoid Band. It was released on CD and DVD, the DVD containing the extra tracks "Tomorrow's People" and "If I Was", as well as bonus features.-Track listing:...
(21st Century Schizoid Band)