![]() ![]() Anyway, I love John Cipollina's music, and of course Quicksilver Messenger Service as a whole. I guess I just wanted to share one of my favorite artists with the people of this forum, and I thought that because he used the SG so frequently, I would post it in here. Born in Berkeley, California, he attended Tamalpais High School, in Mill Valley, California (as did his brother, Mario Cipollina). He also used a lot of pedals, including a Gibson Maestro Fuzzbox, a Vox Wah, and a Standel Modulux. (aged 45) John Cipollina (AugMay 29, 1989) was a guitarist best known for his role as a founder and the lead guitarist of the San Francisco rock band Quicksilver Messenger Service. One of them was a Fender Twin Reverb, and the other one was a Fender Dual Showman, which drove-get this-six Wurlitzer horns, for high-register sounds. The treble pickup was wired out to a pair of Fender amps. The bass pickup was wired out to a pair of Standel bass amp combos. He used a custom wiring scheme on all of his guitars, where there would be a pickup for bass and a pickup for treble. This SG was one of his oft-used pieces-and if anyone ever had concerns about the Gibson SG's versatility, one need only listen to Happy Trails or Shady Grove in order to see exactly the (seemingly non-existent) limits of this instrument. This is a community-built gear list for John Cipollina. The reason why I'm posting this in the SG section is because.well. You could hear him, regardless of what he was on, and you'd think "Oh man, that's got to be Chip." He was a consummate performer who used his guitar as a conduit for expression-his playing was creative and always interesting. Although he never really became one of the most well-known guitarists, I feel that anyone who has enjoyed his music can attest to the great ability and masterful control that he had over his instrument, and all of the sounds that came from it. His playing ran the gamut from quiet subtlety to brash, powerful aggression, and with whatever feeling he tried to capture, he made it, 100%. ![]() More than any other guitarist, John Cipollina has informed my aesthetic inclinations and has inspired my playing decisions. That tone, that style, and that amazing custom SG of his redefined to me what rock and roll could be. He spoke of his new album, “Satellite City,” and the direction he is heading.You may have already figured this out by now (not sure, though,) but one of my favorite guitarists of all time was Psychedelic Rock giant John Cipollina: Apparently, Wavy told some great stories, “The best ones being told off stage,” he said. John was a sorcerer who got sounds out of his SG that were almost otherworldly. He mentioned a fun night he recently shared with Wavy Gravy at the Redwood Café in Cotati. Having been based in Marin County for many years, he is no stranger to Sonoma music lovers. He sounded excited about his return to the North Bay. Reached at his home, Kimock was relaxed and chatty. He has a barn full of guitars and recording equipment. Kimock now lives in an old farmhouse about 10 miles from where he grew up. His website,, says that his musical style encompasses “…blues or jazz, funk or folk, psychedelic or boogie, gypsy of prog-rock traditional American or world fusion.” Fans of Garcia’s work might hear welcome sprinklings of “Stella Blue” and “China Doll.” ![]() Kimock said of the night’s set list, “We always enjoy digging something up, we always want to add stuff,” to make it interesting. I sort of was cast upon that scene, thanks to my pal John Cipollina. ![]() The show is billed as “Kimock” to focus on the father-son chemistry that occurs onstage. In the right hands, any guitar can be a Jerry guitar, especially since Jerry. He will bring a full band, featuring Leslie Mendelson, Andy Hess and son Johnny Kimock on drums. The Garcia connection has allowed Deadheads around the world to become familiar with Kimock’s work, and a local show at the Reel is a treat. In fact, Jerry Garcia was said to have called Kimock his “favorite guitarist.” Thus began a couple decades palling around and playing with Jerry Garcia. He founded the band Zero, and soon connected with renowned lyricist Robert Hunter of the Grateful Dead. His talents quickly landed him with local musicians Martin Fierro, Keith and Donna Godchaux, Greg Anton, and Quicksilver Messenger Service’s John Cipollina. Kimock’s muse led him first to the folk rock group the Goodman Brothers. Kimock has been around the Bay Area since the mid-’70s, after he moved here from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Kimock will fire up his rig and get the crowd going with his own brand of ethereal rock and roll, slide guitar magic, and songs old and new. Steve Kimock will bring his unique brand of guitar mastery to the Reel on Sunday, June 17. ![]()
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