Michael Giles

Michael Giles was the co-founder of King Crimson, and the drummer in the band's first lineup in 1969.

An underrated player, 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 oftentimes also had a very orcehstral feel, as seen on many of the songs of the first King Crimson album. He was arguably the most technically gifted of the late 60s British rock drummers, followed closely by Jon Hiseman and Ian Paice. 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 and Ian McDonald left the group in late '69, though he stayed long enough to finish the second album, "In The Wake Of Poseidon". He joined McDonald to record an album called "Giles an McDonald", which was much lighter in style to King Crimson, but just as challenging musically. He has continued to work as a session musician, and recently also played in the "21st Century Schizoid Band", a group comprising of old King Crimson members.