Gary Silva - Highly respected in the International Blues Community for over 35 years, has provided the back-beat to the legends of Blues and Rock n Roll . Born in Gonzales,Monterey County Ca., he was exposed to jazz and rock n roll at an early age. In the late 60s and early 70s he fell in to the thriving SF music scene .
His humility, eagerness, and particularly his "Shuffle", caught the eyes and ears of Muddy Waters' guitarist Luther Tucker. The two became roomates, bandmates, and very close friends . Based in Marin Co. , rehearsing day and night , in a matter of months were backing Big Mama Thornton, Albert Collins, Big Joe Turner and more.
After several years with Tucker, keyboardist Mark Naftalin (Paul Butterfield), recruited Gary as "House Drummer" and the "Blue Monday Party" series began. The "Blue Monday R&B Revue" soon followed . This band won 2 Bammies (Bay Area Music Awards), and Billboard Magazines "Best Live Radio Broadcast" award. During these years Gary was able to back up the legends of the Blues every week in an intimate setting. Artists included John Lee Hooker, Irma Thomas, Buddy Guy & Jr. Wells, Percy Mayfield, and Charlie Musselwhite to name a few. Silva also had the priviledge of backing RnR legends, Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley.
He met slide guitar virtuoso Ron Thompson through Naftalin and formed the award winning Ron Thompson & the Resisitors . The band went on to win a Bammie, (Garys 3rd), and a Grammy nomination. His reputation in recording studio's spread fast keeping him extremely busy .
In the early 80s Gary was asked by another Butterfield Band alumnus , Elvin Bishop, to join his band. Several critically acclaimed records on the Alligator record label, and tours in Europe, Japan, and Canada followed. Gigs with Bonnie Raitt and tours with Geo. Thorogood helped spread his reputation.
Gary was asked how a kid of approximately 21 years old, was able to survive the pressures of playing with the legends of Blues, especially given that some were known to be "difficult", he said ..."95% of the time there were no rehearsals. It was raw, pure, and spontaneous . You just had to win them over by playing the real shit and by showing them a whole lot of respect ".
His reputation as a quick study speaks volumes . Here is a Man who is dedicated and focused with styles ranging from Chuck Berry to the New Riders of the Purple Sage... from Irma Thomas to Volker Strifler. They all know his grooves and without you knowing it, you probably do too !
The following is a list of artists Gary has been blessed to have performed or recorded with....... He says "There's a story behind every name ".
To those on the list who are no longer with us ... God Bless and RIP.
They are:
Buddy Ace, John Allair,Margie Baker, Carey Bell,Chuck Berry, Big Jack Johnson, Elvin Bishop, Stu Blank,Mike Bloomfield,Bo Diddley, Jim Boggio, Boogie Jake, Charles Brown, Earl "Good Rockin" Brown,Mel Brown, Roy Brown, Norton Buffalo, Paul Butterfield,
Bill Campbell, Tommy Castro, Francis Clay, Cool Papa, Albert Collins, James Cotton, Pee Wee Crayton,
Sugar Pie DeSanto, Les Dudek, Margie Evans, Bobby Forte, Lowell Fulson, Nick Gravenites, Buddy Guy, Terry Hanck, John Hammond, Mike Henderson, John Lee Hooker, Charles Houff, Dottie Ivory, Paul Jackson, Etta James, Little Willie John, Blackie Jones, Ester Jones, Steve Judkins, J.J.Bad Boy Jones,
Albert King, B.B. King, Troyce Key ,Steve Kimmock, Lady Bianca, Sam Lay, Frankie Lee, Little Joe Blue, Little Milton, Johnny Littlejohn, Los Lobos, Louisiana Red, Michele Lundeen, J.J.Malone, Percy Mayfield, Jimmy McCracklin, Brownie Mcghee, Steve Miller, James Montgomery, Dr. Wild Willie Moore, Van Morrison, Charlie Musselwhite,
Johnny Nitro, Jackie Payne, Rocco Prestia, Queen Ida, Yank Rachell, Bonnie Raitt, Jimmy Reed, Sonny Rhodes, Roy Rogers, Freddie Roulette, Otis Rush, Curtis Salgado, Guitar Sims, Sonoma Swampdogs, Volker Strifler Band, Taj Mahal, Eddie Taylor, Mick Taylor, Carla Thomas, Irma Thomas, Ron Thompson, Big Mama Thornton, Geo. Thorogood, Luther Tucker,Big Joe Turner, Eddie Cleanhead" Vinson, Katie Webster, Jr. Wells, Teddy Winston, & Jimmy Witherspoon .
