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. 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 first solo album,
Progress, was released in 2001. He released a second solo album titled
Shadows/Solo in 2026, which consisted of archival material spanning multiple decades. 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. He was often cited by
Rush drummer
Neil Peart as an influence. ==Selected discography==