Gavin Harrison: Great Drummer, Bad Actor

Gavin Harrison should need little introduction here, having previously graced the cover as one of the trio of King Crimson drummers in 2016. But that’s just one of his many achievements.

Born near London, the son of trumpeter Bobby Harrison, Gavin grew up in a musical environment, alongside his two brothers, and aspired to be a session musician, like his father.

His incredible work ethic and an inquisitive mind coupled with talent and diligence eventually found him attaining his goal as an in-demand session drummer with a CV including Paul Young, Level 42, Lisa Stansfield, Sam Brown, Lewis Taylor, Claudio Baglioni and many more.

Additionally, he authored the ground-breaking books “Rhythmic Illusions” and “Rhythmic Perspectives” and produced the companion DVDs, Rhythmic Visions and Rhythmic Horizons, joined Porcupine Tree in 2002, subsequently recording the albums In Absentia, Deadwing, Fear Of A Blank Planet and The Incident, and has been a member of King Crimson since 2008. But you probably already knew most of that.

What you may not know is that Gavin played drums for the UK TV show “New Faces” and the musical “Chess” in the ‘80s, and having become a successful gun-for-hire, decided that maybe it wasn’t for him after all.

Gavin discussed this and more when Drumhead spent a highly enjoyable day at his North London studio, just prior to the summer King Crimson tour.