Jerry Gaskill

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Jerry Gaskill (born December 27, 1957 in Bridgeton, NJ) is an American rock musician who is the drummer for the progressive metal band King's X.

Contents

[edit] History

Jerry has been interested in making music and playing drums for as long as he can remember. His father bought him his first drum, which was a snare, at the age of 4. From there, he pieced together a full kit.

He grew up in a very musical family with both his dad and brother being guitar players. The three actually started an all-instrumental band called Jerry and the Knights. Jerry played his first bar gig when he was seven years old with this group and was paid $2 for his efforts.

Jerry and the Knights played at different funtions such as talent shows, wedding receptions, parties and so on until his mid-teens. He then joined a local band called Frog Ocean Road who he had admired. Jerry played with them until he was 18, at which time he had a self professed "Born Again" experience. He then became involved in the local christian music scene playing at churches jamming with other like-minded musicians.

In 1978, Jerry decided to attend Evangel College in Springfield, MO. and moved there with the intention of becoming a Biblical Studies major. He never lost the musical bug and was quick to involve himself in the local music circles. He was soon introduced to singer Greg X. Volz who was putting together a band and asked Jerry to participate. They also asked bassist Doug Pinnick to move to Springfield and join the band. Pinnick accepted, but a month after his arrival, the project fell apart.

Jerry was soon asked, along with Pinnick, to join the Phil Keaggy band (presumably through Keaggy's previous work with Volz) which they accepted. Jerry went on a national tour with Keaggy for about a year. During the bands show in Springfield, Jerry was asked by a member of the opening band if he would lend them his drums. That person happened to be Ty Tabor who was filling in for the drummer who had quit the band the night before.

At one point, Jerry became involved in a demo project for the Tracy Zinn Band that had Tabor as a member. The two hit it off and were later involved in other projects together.

After the Keaggy job, Jerry and Doug (who had also been jamming with Tabor) decided to try getting their own band together. The group was rounded out by Tabor and guitarist Dan McCollam. They called themselves The Edge which eventually morphed into King's X several years later.

Jerry has enjoyed a long and storied career with King's X and continues with them to this day. The album Gretchen Goes to Nebraska was based in part on a story that he wrote. He has appeared as lead vocalist on 2 King's X tracks and is an integral part of their famous 3-part vocal harmonies.

He has 3 sons, 2 of which are also involved in music.

[edit] Projects

In addition to King's X, Jerry has performed on the albums Let It Go by Galactic Cowboys, Redline by blues guitarist Jay Hooks, Ty Tabor's solo album Safety, and Doug Pinnick's Poundhound albums and Supershine project.

Jerry released a solo album, Come Somewhere, in April 2004. Gaskill sang all lead vocals as well as performed all drum, acoustic guitar, and some electric guitar tracks. It was produced by and featured his King's X cohort Ty Tabor, and was recorded at Tabor's Alien Beans Studios.

[edit] Gear

Jerry has in the past used Yamaha drums, and Pearl drums. Currently he uses GMS' SE line of drums. His current set-up is: 9" x 12", 12" x 14", 14" x 16", and 18" x 22". He is using a matching 5.5" x 14" SE snare. Jerry has endorsed Paiste, and used their cymbals since May of 1990, and currently endorses Evans drum heads. He also uses Vater 5B Nylon sticks.

[edit] Complete Discography

[edit] King's X

[edit] Solo Albums

[edit] Guest Appearances

[edit] External links

v • d • e
King's X
Current members
Doug Pinnick | Ty Tabor | Jerry Gaskill
Studio albums
Live albums
Compilations
Singles
"King" • "Shot of Love" • "Over My Head" • "Summerland" • "It's Love" • "I'll Never Get Tired of You" • "We Are Finding Who We Are" • "Black Flag" • "Dogman" • "Fool You" • "A Box" • "Sometime"
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