the quintessential psychedelic lead guitarist best known for his work with the San Francisco rock band Quicksilver Messenger Service. He pronounced his surname with the Italian "C" (Chipollina).
Born in Mill Valley, California, Cipollina had a unique guitar sound, mixing solid state and valve amplifiers as early as 1968. He is considered one of the fathers of the San Francisco psychedelic sound. He played with finger picks and used a whammy bar extensively which, he explained to Jerry Garcia, was to make up for his weak left (tremolo) hand. Even more unusually, he attached six wurlitzer horns to the top of his distinctive amplifier stack. His style was highly melodic and expressive.
After John left Quicksilver, in 1970, the list of bands he played with includes Copperhead, Man, Terry & the Pirates, Raven, Freelight, Novato Frank Band, Rocky Sullivan, Stu Blank, San Francisco All-Stars, Thunder & Lightning (with Nick Gravenites), Seven Deadly Sins, Dinosaurs, Nicksilver, Zero, Fish & Chip (with Barry Melton), and Problem Child, often playing in many of these simultaneously. Before Quicksilver, he is said to have played as a teen (starting in 1959) with The Penetrators, The Deacons, and others.
John Cipollina's guitar sounded like no other. His unique resonance touched people in places they didn't know existed. His signature sound will stand alone for all time as a part of the musical thread the San Francisco Bay Area has wrapped around the world.
John passed away from a lifelong respiratory ailment on May 29, 1989. He left behind a great musical contribution for his worldwide audience to enjoy. For those of us who knew him, we share the memory of a truly wonderful person, whose being so perfectly reflected the magic in his music.
At the time of his death,he was a member of Thunder & Lightning & The Dinosaurs.
the text and pics for this page were referenced at the following pages :
please visit the beautifully done site the John Cipollina Memorial Page !
please visit another fine site John Cipollina- An Appreciation !
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