Dubbing himself "the black sheep in the band" for being the only player in the band The Planets not to study classical music at college, Michael Kruk (Hammersmith, West London, 1978) has had a roller coaster four years as an in-demand pop and funk session player.



First let loose on a drum kit at ten, some work experience with percussionist Ralph Salmins (whose album credits include Evita and Reload) convinced Michael that the life of a professional musician was for him. And he's since gone on to work with top artists like Gary Moore and Katie Melua.



But Michael Kruk is no stranger to the classical world. In 1996, he became the first and still the only musician to play drum kit all the way through to the National Percussion Finals of the BBC Young Musician of the Year competition. "I didn't expect to get anywhere, so I had no nerves. I also had no music, as I'd not planned anything beyond the second stage, and had to have my tutor write the pieces and deliver them to me days before competing." Now 22, he's quickly become the joker in The Planets, and says he hopes no one in the band lets success go to their head.