Quicksilver Messenger Service is an American psychedelic rock band formed in 1965 in San Francisco. The band achieved wide popularity in the San Francisco Bay Area and, through their recordings, with psychedelic rock enthusiasts around the world, and several of their albums ranked in the Top 30 of the Billboard pop charts.
The line-up changed many times. Wikipedia lists seven current members and twenty former members, and the five founding players of 1965 are covered first below.
John Cipollina – Lead and Rhythm Guitar (1965–1971, 1975)
John Cipollina played lead and rhythm guitar from 1965 to 1971 and again in 1975. He died in 1989.
Gary Duncan – Lead and Rhythm Guitar, Vocals (1965–1969, 1969–1979, 1984–1996, 2006–2009)
Gary Duncan played lead and rhythm guitar and sang lead and backing vocals across four separate stretches with the band. He died in 2019.
Greg Elmore – Drums (1965–1979)
Greg Elmore played drums from 1965 to 1979. He died in 2026.
David Freiberg – Bass, Rhythm Guitar, Vocals (1965–1971, 1975, 2006–present)
David Freiberg played bass from 1965 to 1971 and in 1975. He returned in 2006 on rhythm guitar and lead and backing vocals, and is listed as a current member.
Jim Murray – Rhythm Guitar, Vocals (1965–1967)
Jim Murray played rhythm guitar and sang lead and backing vocals from 1965 to 1967. He died in 2013.
Nicky Hopkins – Keyboards (1969–1971)
Nicky Hopkins played keyboards from 1969 to 1971. He died in 1994.
Dino Valenti – Vocals, Rhythm Guitar (1969–1979)
Dino Valenti sang lead and backing vocals and played rhythm guitar from 1969 to 1979. He died in 1994.
Other Former Quicksilver Messenger Service Members
- Mark Naftalin – keyboards (1971–1972)
- Mark Ryan – bass (1971–1972)
- Harold Aceves – drums (1972–1975)
- Chuck Steaks – keyboards (1972–1975)
- Roger Stanton – bass (1972–1974)
- Bob Flurie – bass (1974–1975)
- W. Michael Lewis – keyboards (1975–1979, 1984–1996)
- Skip Olsen – bass (1975–1979)
- Sammy Piazza – drums (1986–1988)
- Bobby Vega – bass (1988–1996, 2006–2007)
- Greg Errico – drums (1988–1996)
- John Bird – rhythm and lead guitar (1988–1996)
- Prairie Prince – drums (2006–2008)
- Keith Graves – bass (2007–2015)
Current Quicksilver Messenger Service Members
- David Freiberg – rhythm guitar, lead and backing vocals (2006–present)
- Chris Smith – keyboards (2006–present)
- Linda Imperial – backing and lead vocals (2006–present)
- Donny Baldwin – drums (2008–present)
- Peter Harris – rhythm and lead guitar, backing and lead vocals (2009–present)
- Jude Gold – lead and rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2012–present)
- Steve Valverde – bass (2015–present)
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was Quicksilver Messenger Service formed? The band formed in 1965 in San Francisco.
Who were the original members of Quicksilver Messenger Service? John Cipollina, Gary Duncan, Greg Elmore, David Freiberg and Jim Murray made up the 1965 to 1967 line-up.
Who is in Quicksilver Messenger Service now? Wikipedia lists David Freiberg, Chris Smith, Linda Imperial, Donny Baldwin, Peter Harris, Jude Gold and Steve Valverde as current members.
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