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Home , Craig Chaquico, Grace Slick, Jack Casady, Jefferson Airplane, Jefferson Starship, Jorma Kaukonen

a album, Fire Red Moon, on the Blind Pig label. A mix of originals and covers, it’s highlighted by “Lie To Me,” with lead vocals by Noah Hunt, of the Band. There are also renditions of Robert Johnson’s “Crossroads,” an instrumental take on Albert King’s “Born Under A Bad Sign,” a cover of ’ “Rollin’ And Tumblin’,” and originals that reflect Chaquico’s time spent listening to Cream, Hendrix, ZZ Top, and other acts.

What prompted you to pick up a guitar? You were right in their demographic wheelhouse when hit the U.S. I was just start- ing to play guitar at the time. My first instrument was the accordion, and I’ve heard that Clapton played one... o matter their level of achievement or fame, most I guess it was p o p u l a r guitar players spent time “in the trenches” – jamming with our in garage bands, playing clubs, maybe getting to tour parents; regionally. But didn’t kick it much my dad p l a y e d with kids of questionable talent or inclination. Instead, by accor- the time he was 17, Chaquico (pronounced cha-KEY-so) was dion and jamming with the likes of , , sax, but I gravitated and the . • Growing up 100 miles from San to guitar be- Francisco, Chaquico took to the cause of the city’s music scene at a young Beatles, and age. “We’d pile in a van and go there wasn’t a lot of accordion music to concerts at Winterland, get on the radio (laughs)! home at four in the morning, get grounded,” he recalled, laughing. “But really, I dug [being grounded], because I’d sit in my room, listening to records and learning to play guitar.”

At age 14, he was invited to join a band radio-oriented pop. Ultimately, with a bunch of “grown-ups.” Chaquico would serve as the only “My English teacher heard my band member to play on every Jef- play, and then asked me to join his,” he ferson Starship/Starship album. said. The gig presented some unique After the original Starship challenges. “To get into clubs, I had to stopped recording in the wear a fake mustache and lie about my late ’80s, Chaquico shifted age,” he said. But it proved worthwhile, his focus to a solo career as as the English teacher’s circle of friends a /new-age guitarist. included members of . His work – still rooted in “One thing led to another, and next blues and rock – proved thing you know, I’d met all the these popular, and since 1993 he My mom and dad were really supportive, people I used to go see at concerts, and a recorded 10 solo albums, being musicians when they were younger. couple years later, I was in the studio with selling more than a mil- They knew it was a tough road to make them – , , Jerry lion copies and charting #1 a living playing an instrument, so they Garcia, Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady... singles and albums in the insisted I keep my grades up. That was It was a great time. genre. He was also chosen the leverage – if I kept my grades up, I “As corny as it sounds, we were kind of a Best Pop Instrumental could play guitar. family. It was neat to play with them – we Guitarist in Guitar Player’s Did any particular music or player were on the same page. In the late ’60s/ annual readers’ poll win- motivate you? early ’70s, it was part of the ner, and landed on Jazziz My older brother’s record collection movement; there was your parents’ music, magazine’s list of 100 most really spun my head around. I was 14 or the , and then there was us. infuencial jazz guitarists of 15... maybe younger, when I discovered his It was a great opportunity.” all time. His 1994 effort, headphones and ’s Are You After recording and touring with Jef- Acoustic Planet, garnered Experienced? album. That changed my ferson Airplane’s and Paul a Grammy nomination life, man! I didn’t know anybody could Kantner for their early-’70s side projects, for Best New Age album. play guitar like that; I’d been listening to he was invited to join their primary band Now entering his fifth the Beatles and a lot of great music – the in the mid ’70s as it moved away from decade in music, Cha- Stones – but when I heard Hendrix, it its sound to harder rock, quico recently went turned my life around. I remember once and changed its name from Jefferson retro by releasing when I was supposed to be babysitting, Airplane to . In the mid/ and when my brother and his wife came late ’80s, dropped “Jefferson” home, I was sitting there with headphones

from its name and focused on making on while their kids were having a pillow Photo: Pat Johnson.

42 Vintage Guitar February 2013 VintageGuitar.com fight, jumping on the furniture... I was When I look at my playing – and I said ’90s, when you stepped away from Not really. I’ve always felt that my oblivious! this to Blind Pig when we were talking Starship and started making jazz/new musical inspiration has been blues-based, So it must have been a real trip for about a blues record, because I was a age music? but rock-influenced. Being in Jefferson you, as a gung-ho 15-year-old, to end little apprehensive. I told them, “My Well, a lot of that was because an Starship, we had to wear a lot of hats, and up in the thick of it. blues roots don’t go back all the way to acoustic guitar was more welcome around I often found myself thinking, “God, do It really felt that way at the time. There Robert Johnson and Albert King, they the house during my wife’s pregnancy they know I’m faking this right now?” was kind of a reality check So, doing an acoustic record because I was still in school. taking the same inspirations Being in a band with my gave it a different intensity, and English teacher helped my gave me a recognizable style. English grades (laughs), but I Part of that was taking the had to go through some stuff. acoustic guitar and modify- I was still riding my bicycle ing it so it would be more to school, then on weekends like a Les Paul or one of my doing sessions with some of Carvin V220s, with bigger my heroes. But I learned pretty frets and the wider neck; I did early that it’s not just about some things to make it more partying. You have to take it comfortable to do electric seriously. When I was asked techniques besides the actual to move to San Francisco fingerstyle or flatpicking that to record the first Jefferson you expect on an acoustic Starship album, Dragon Fly, I guitar. I was able to do bends was thinking, “Well, I can go with the higher frets; I’d do back to college, or go to San blues bends and hammer-on Francisco and play in this band techniques, slide, and all kinds with Grace Slick!” rock influences showed up on What was life like, being my acoustic records. But on a rock star. my acoustic guitar and with Depends on how you define a little bit mellower beat, it “rock star.” I had the best job was perceived as smooth in the world – playing guitar jazz, new age, instrumental, in a band. I had to pinch contemporary instrumental, myself every morning. Be- or whatever. To me, it’s still ing that young, it was such a rock and roll, or soft blues. blessing, being around great Lately, I’ve been bringing in musicians and songwriters, some of the tunes I wrote in learning about guitars and Jefferson Starship, like “Jane” amps. I remember how it was for example, or “Find Your such an eye-opener, working Way Back,” and they went on recording; it’s not the same over really well with the “jazz as giving a good performance. crowd.” I thought to myself, “A It’s another art form, re- lot of us grew up with rock and ally. And the music business roll,” but as you get older, your wasn’t like what it became tastes broaden. A lot of people later – everybody was into listened to Jefferson camaraderie and expressing Airplane or Starship started themselves through the band. listening to jazz-orientated There were no serious ego stuff – their tastes evolved. problems or butting heads, Still, it surprised me that and the last thing we expected rock went over so well in that were platinum records. setting. One of your best-known Was there any particular licks is the opening of “Find reason you decided to do a Your Way Back,” from Jeffer- blues album? son Starship’s 1981 album, I thought it would be fun to Modern Times. There’s a do something blues-based – a country song getting a lot little more rock-oriented – not of radio play right now that screamin’ rock or anything, borrows heavily from that but energetic in places. It was lick – “Something To Do just something I loved and With My Hands.” Have you (TOP LEFT CLOCKWISE) In the era of on his main guitar, a Carvin V220. the ’70s. wanted to put down on tape. heard it? Starship megahits like ”We Built This ”I also used duct tape to make its Chaquico with his ’59 Les Paul And I felt lucky Blind Pig was No. But I’m ready to sue ’em, City,” “Sara” and “Nothing’s Gonna fretboard inlays look like sterling silver,” Standard, onstage with Grace Slick and open to it. So, we put our heads man (laughs)! Of course, then Stop Us Now,” Chaquico took a magic he laughed. “I still love the V220.” Jefferson Starship in ’78, prior to a riot together and I had some great I’ll get sued by the Monkees marker to a pair of white pants and Chaquico has served as one of during which much of the band’s gear co-producers, like Bill Heller for stealing from “Last Train made them fit the theme of the finish Carvin’s leading endorsers since was stolen or destroyed. from the Rippingtons, several to Clarksville,” because that’s amazing singers ,and a great where I got the lick! songwriting team. Getting Uh-oh! Confession time! go to the guys who were influenced by (laughs)! I got to put the Carvin stacks in Noah Hunt to sing a song was remark- I know! But you have to really listen Robert Johnson and Albert King. They’re the garage for a while and play acoustic. able, and then my touring singer, Rolf to it. I think “Last Train” was one of the more contemporary – Hendrix, Clapton, Little did I know it would lead to #1 Hartley, is incredible – he’s done sessions first licks I ever played; I inverted it or Jimmy Page, , Santana, albums and Grammy nominations and for Sammy Hagar and the Journey guys, played it backward. . I said, “I don’t know if I a solo career, because it was more or less Heart, and Michael Bolton, as well as We all pick up things by osmosis. have the credentials to make a record.” because life around the house was more national TV and commercials. Having Listen to any Robert Johnson recording But they said, “That’s great, because it’ll acoustic during the pregnancy. And I left him do lead vocals and play guitar on tour and you go, “Oh, Cream, Rolling Stones, be different – an evolution of the blues.” Jefferson Starship after all those years has been a real blessing. Eric E. Golbach ...” A lot of those songs were So, they gave me some license. because all the people who I enjoyed added his voice to a song, too. turned-around Robert Johnson riffs – and One could guess that helped set playing with had left. I wasn’t the first to Your affiliation with Carvin goes some not so turned around! Obviously, up your choice of cover songs for the part. In fact, by the time I left, it was just back to the ’70s and the X-100. They with and guys like that... new album... me and [singer] Micky Thomas. also built a doubleneck for you, made Albert King. Those guys influenced the Exactly. Was it daunting, going out on your of Koa, back in the day...

V220 photo courtesy of Craig Chaquico. Slick hoto: Michael Putland/Getty Images. guys who influenced me. What was going on in the early own and changing directions? They sure did. They were such a great

1-800-395-7760 February 2013 VINTAGE GUITAR 43 company to work with. Until then, I’d re- the V220 the Craig Chaquico signature I talked to Les Paul about that. As a Which guitars and amps do we hear ally prided myself on the vintage guitars I model? kid, I was in a bad car accident; broke on the record? recorded with; I had all the classic dream- They did! But even I go “Who’s Craig my arms, my thumb, my wrist, my leg, On “Fire Red Moon” I played a Jimi come-true guitars – a ’57 goldtop, a ’59 Chaquico?” (laughs) I said, “That’s really ankle, foot... As a kid, you recover faster, Hendrix “tribute” replica guitar that a sunburst, a ’57 Strat, a reverse Firebird nice, but...” Later, we ended up doing a of course, and my dad told me about Les good friend gave me, and everything with dot inlay, a ’58 ES-335 – all great Craig Chaquico acoustic, but even then I Paul and about how he was in a car ac- else was a Carvin Carved Top guitars and amps like blond or their Bolt T, mostly with Fender Bassmans I used to single-coil pickups. Any love to record with. A lot of that had humbuckers had those were tips from guys coil taps. But you also hear like Jorma and his brother, some Carvins that have been Peter, and John Cipollina around for 25 years – double- from Quicksilver Messenger cutaways with Floyd Rose Service, who were already bridges. They’re some of my into the vintage guitars and favorite guitars. these old amps. But they also Carvin’s guitars today are turned me on to Carvin; I exquisite, right out of the had just lost a bunch of my case! The workmanship is vintage gear in this big riot so breathtaking, you almost in Europe… don’t want to touch them... Where Grace Slick why am I thinking about Ni- couldn’t make the show? gel Tufnel right now, and his Yeah, and, unfortunately Les Paul Standard (laughs) all these vintage guitars and – “Don’t even breathe on amps were stolen or trashed. that!” I’ve had experiences After that, I though “Tour- like taking a guitar through ing... you never know what’s airport security when the gonna happen to your gear.” agent stopped it, then called So I thought I should prob- coworkers over to see the ably come up with something fantastic guitar that just less hard to replace. came through the X-ray! When I started working I talked with my singer re- with Carvin in the ’70s, they cently, and for an hour on the let me pull together some of phone, we just talked about my favorite things about my how great his new Carvin old guitars and apply them is. And my bass player, Jim to their V220. I told them, Retizel, has been using their “Let’s take the feel of my ’57 goldtop, (LEFT) Chaquico’s primary live/acoustic-jazz guitar is his Carvin signature model. basses and amps since the ’90s. get a neck like that, put some big frets (RIGHT) While recuperating from a car accident, Chaquico’s father used guitars to Which amps did you use on the on it, double-coil pickups...” I started motivate the 12-year-old through physical therapy. In the hospital, he strummed his album? picking all the elements I love and sug- Arwin acoustic, but dad promised better things once he was healed! I used their V3, which is their newest gesting them as details. Then they would tube amp. I’ve got a combo version. I incorporte the best tuners, pickups, play it in the studio, go direct or mic the bridges, and knobs. And beyond the felt weird putting my name in mother-of cident. They had to set his arm a certain speaker, and I use the preamp sometimes. woods, designs, and craftsmanship/ -pearl script on the fretboard. I thought way so he could play. My rack amp is an old rack-mounted quality control, they were ready to rock “If this is a good guitar, people are And your dad used the guitar to console version of the Rockman. Tom right out of gonna buy it because it’s a good guitar, encourage you during your recovery... Scholz was nice enough to have tweaked not because my name is on it.” I also Yeah, it was pretty terrifying, being it for me back in the day. a 12-year-old, all banged up. I had just Do you take all that on the road, too? started playing acoustic guitar, and my I’ve just gotten the V3, so I haven’t dad said if I stayed with the physical taken it on the road yet. My road rig is therapy – I was in a wheelchair for a pretty compact and easy to use; I can while and had to use crutches and wear pull a Carvin preamp out and it’ll sound corrective shoes for a long time – my dad the same every night, so I’m not having said, “If you try really hard to get through

this, when they take your casts off, I’ll buy to rent amps or Chaquico made heavy use you a Les Paul guitar.” That was my light backline stuff. of this Carvin Bolt on at the end of the tunnel. And dad kept his What’s next for you, musically? his new album, word; he bought me a Les Paul. Well, I’m really excited about getting Fire Red Moon. So yeah, I remember meeting Les Paul, back to my roots. It just feels so natural, and I told him that story. I’ve got picture going back and playing bluesy, rockin’ of me and Les; I took a jean jacket and tunes. I still do my acoustic stuff and the case – no drew a Les Paul guitar on the back with my instrumental stuff live, but having mods needed. They wondered whether any high-profile artist a magic marker, and had him sign it. this new chapter is really inspiring, so were the best of both worlds. would want to play a guitar with “Craig Later, I had Santana and I’d like to do more records along those It’s kind of like how you learn to Chaquico” on it (laughs). So I told them, sign it... Sammy Hagar, Slash – several lines – blues-based, with traditional play – you take ideas, learn the musical “Just make it a good guitar, you can call of my favorite guitar players signed this influences. I’m still a Hendrix fan, big- vocabulary, then tell your own musical it my model.” And, it’s funny, when I jacket and we auctioned it off for a cancer time. I love ’s work stories in the language of music with met Les Paul, the same thing crossed benefit. It made me feel that I’d taken it in that area, and I’m always blown away your own style. Carvin was open to my mind. There’s a guy you don’t mind full-circle to help others in challenging by David Gilmour’s playing with Pink suggestions based on what I learned having his name on your guitar. But situations like me when I was all busted Floyd. Clapton, obviously. Jimmy Page, from playing other guitars – the design Craig Chaquico? I don’t think I’m quite up and Les Paul. And so it was kind of a Billy Gibbons, , Santana, elements that made those guitars fun to there yet. funny full circle. I told him that my dad Johnny Winter, Rick Derringer... I love play and sound so good. And ever since, You had something in common with had bought me that guitar and I started doing music inspired by those styles, I’ve been a serious Carvin devotee. Les Paul – you were both in serious talking to him about having his name on and hopefully, I add something new and Did anybody ever suggest making car accidents... a guitar and he laughed. modern to it.

44 VINTAGE GUITAR February 2013 VintageGuitar.com