Michael "The Whip" Wilton (nickname given for how fast his fingers "whip" around the guitar fretboard) started playing guitar in junior high school in the suburbs of Seattle in the mid-late-1970s. In a variety of bands during his formative years, some with friend and fellow axeman Chris DeGarmo and some without, Wilton is highly influenced by the heavier bands of the era, including Van Halen, Judas Priest and Iron Maiden. Wilton also cites The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones and some bluesier artists as those that inspired him to play guitar.

Classically trained at the Cornish College of the Arts, in Seattle, Wilton is often referred to as the "riff" or "speed" guy in Queensr˙che, and those monikers fit well. When compared to DeGarmo, Wilton's songwriting is more basic, primarily sticking to aggressive riffs, simple arrangements and solos that illustrate his speed. Cuts such as "The Needle Lies," "Speak," "Resistance," and of course, "Empire," are standout examples of what Wilton brings to the table both as a writer and player.

Over the years, as Queensr˙che moved away from heavy metal to more of a hard rock sound, Wilton's writing for albums has waned (starting with Promised Land). That said, he still writes and plays many of the band's more aggressive guitar solos, and he provided many of the riffs for the original lineup's last studio album, Tribe.

As a result of Queensr˙che's evolution (and his partner DeGarmo's departure) Wilton has branched out to do other musical projects. The most significant being Soulbender, a metal band featuring players from the Pacific Northwest. Soulbender released its independent debut album in 2004, garnering a good amount of attention from Queensr˙che fans and the modern hard rock/metal scene in and around Seattle. The band has yet to sign a recording deal, but lineup changes and Queensr˙che's heavy touring schedule has no doubt played a role in the underground nature of the band. In addition, Wilton has had a number of guest soloing appearnces on records of other artists, including Pamela Moore and Tim "Ripper" Owens.

Wilton is an avid sports fan, and when not feeding his habit of guitar collecting, enjoys working out. Wilton is also a big fan of modern heavy metal and has been seen at various shows in the Seattle area, including Marilyn Manson, Tool, Sevendust, and others.