Jerry Gaskill

Drummer, singer, and songwriter Jerry Gaskill founded the progressive metal band <a href="spotify:artist:3tn79LMMIdIT1T0TXumjaH">King's X</a> in 1983. A native of Bridgeton, New Jersey, Gaskill began playing at a young age, forming a band with his father and brother and playing his first gig at the age of seven. After playing in bands throughout high school, he became heavily involved in the Christian faith and enrolled at Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri. Not long after arriving in Springfield, he befriended bassist <a href="spotify:artist:51S9dRF8a9hrdg4N1PbEWT">Doug Pinnick</a> and the two formed a sturdy rhythm section, backing up artists like future <a href="spotify:artist:1LmsXfZSt1nutb8OCvt00G">Petra</a> singer <a href="spotify:artist:0lUxYvZv2MQS0rJGfVGmUO">Greg X. Volz</a> and guitarist <a href="spotify:artist:1bAzlT6fMBcvCfwgh4S3Xl">Phil Keaggy</a>.

After trying out various combos of their own, Gaskill and <a href="spotify:artist:51S9dRF8a9hrdg4N1PbEWT">Pinnick</a> were joined by guitarist <a href="spotify:artist:1nt3Ldwez8QpiyylYdcDJd">Ty Tabor</a> and the trio, then called Sneak Preview, relocated to Houston, Texas. Changing their name to <a href="spotify:artist:3tn79LMMIdIT1T0TXumjaH">King's X</a> in 1987, they eventually signed with metal label <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Megaforce%22">Megaforce</a> and released their debut, Out of the Silent Planet, a year later. A prog trio with a strong melodic bent and elaborate three-part harmonies, <a href="spotify:artist:3tn79LMMIdIT1T0TXumjaH">King's X</a> have enjoyed a successful career with stints on <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Atlantic%22">Atlantic</a>, <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Metal+Blade%22">Metal Blade</a>, and <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22InsideOut+Music%22">InsideOut Music</a>. Gaskill's contributions as drummer, writer, and occasional lead singer are an integral part of <a href="spotify:artist:3tn79LMMIdIT1T0TXumjaH">King's X</a>'s sound.

In 2004, he released his solo debut, Come Somewhere, which was recorded and produced by bandmate <a href="spotify:artist:1nt3Ldwez8QpiyylYdcDJd">Ty Tabor</a>. In addition to his work with <a href="spotify:artist:3tn79LMMIdIT1T0TXumjaH">King's X</a>, Gaskill has contributed to side projects by his two bandmates as well as albums by blues guitarist <a href="spotify:artist:6b5hSC4ZNJr5aMOIB1O2v0">Jay Hooks</a> and New Jersey songwriter <a href="spotify:artist:5Zsw0XuUEEo1eLAucQtXeJ">Bob Burger</a>. After suffering a heart attack in early 2012, Gaskill's home was destroyed by Hurricane Sandy later that same year. Waylaid by a second heart attack in 2014, he rallied to release his second solo LP, Love & Scars. The album was released in October 2015 and featured guest spots from <a href="spotify:artist:0GXvIHZC6fUFoclPbf7Lbm">Billy Sheehan</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:1bAzlT6fMBcvCfwgh4S3Xl">Phil Keaggy</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:7Mb4lYtLcnJzUTS0IYfS60">Earl Slick</a>, and others. ~ Timothy Monger, Rovi