Craig Chaquico reunited with long lost 1959 Les Paul Sunburst - Hopes to Perform with it Again Thanks to "Meeting of the Musical Minds"

This is a story with a happy ending. Craig Chaquico had first shared a bit of news about his beloved 1959 Les Paul Sunburst electric guitar when we chatted at NAMM several years ago. You can read my original article referencing the quest to get back his guitar here. Craig is one of my favorite rockers; he has a great heart, loves his fans and has an enduring passion for making music. Read on below for the media release that landed in my inbox today...

CRAIG CHAQUICO REUNITED WITH LONG LOST

1959 LES PAUL SUNBURST THAT WAS STOLEN DURING

FAMOUS RIOT AT JEFFERSON STARSHIP CONCERT IN SUMMER OF 1978

GRAMMY-NOMINATED GUITARIST HOPES TO PERFORM ONCE AGAIN

WITH BELOVED GUITAR HEARD ON SUCH JEFFERSON STARSHIP HITS AS

"WITH YOUR LOVE," "COUNT ON ME" AND "RUNAWAY"

Craig Chaquico with 1959 Les
Paul Standard Sunburst guitar.
Photo credit: Roger Ressmeyer

For Jefferson Starship guitarist and original founding member Craig Chaquico, "Find Your Way Back" has a whole new meaning some 35 years after writing, and performing on, the Billboard Top Ten single from the band's 1981 album, Modern Times.

It was a year ago this month that Craig informed his worldwide fans about his quest to retrieve his beloved 1959 Les Paul Sunburst guitar (9-2180) that was thought to have been destroyed during a summer of '78 fiery riot in Lorelei, Germany, right after it was announced that Jefferson Starship wouldn't be taking the stage that day as a result of legendary singer Grace Slick not feeling well.

Fearing for their safety, the band members that were on site -- Craig, David Frieberg, and John Barbata -- quickly evacuated the area. Grace Slick, Paul Kantner, Marty Balin and Pete Sears were still at the hotel. Devout fans of the band know that their next show in Hamburg together would mark the last for this original line-up.

Almost all of the bands’ instruments and gear went missing during this riot, including Craig’s rare 1957 Les Paul Gold Top (still missing – Serial No. 7 8793 – played on the first two Jefferson Starship hit albums, Dragon Fly (1974) and Red Octopus (1975)), and this recently discovered ’59 Sunburst guitar that was near-and-dear to Craig's heart, as he used it on the platinum-selling Jefferson Starship albums, Spitfire (1976) and Earth (1978), and can be heard on such classic hits as "With Your Love," "Count on Me" and "Runaway" among others. Of course, it's this rock and roll history that has added extreme value to the guitar. 

Part of the successful identification process which, without the serial number, included Craig going through thousands of high-resolution photos in the vast archives of Roger Ressmeyer who was a key band photographer throughout the ‘70s and ‘80s, including for both the Spitfire and Earth albums.

In what could be called "a feel good story," the '59 Sunburst has finally found its way back.

"Miracles" happen.

Three years after he was tipped off that the guitar might still be in existence, Craig's difficult quest to get it back has ended after a meeting of the musical minds between Craig and the instrument's current owner, a guitar aficionado, himself.

After more than a year of back-and-forth's in the legal system, the two musicians sat down and talked about the history of the guitar (now known affectionately as "Lorelei") and what it meant to each of them. And it was this discussion that led to a confidential settlement agreement and resolution between the parties...

"Seeing the guitar for the first time after so many years brought back so many memories for me," states Chaquico. "One of my dreams from the outset was simply to perform or record with it again... and it looks like that dream just might come true."

In a gesture of good will from one musician to another, the current owner of the '59 Sunburst (who has now owned the instrument for almost a dozen years) would like Craig to continue making great music and providing further heritage to the instrument that already has an illustrious past thanks to Craig. This guitar went everywhere with him beginning in the mid-70's until it vanished at the riot.

"I'm thoroughly excited about hitting the stage with it again sometime this year," says Craig. "It'll be a magical moment for me and I'm sure I'll feel like a 'kid' in the mid-70's all over again. 'Lorelei' truly is one of my favorite guitars of all-time."

"What was most pleasing for me was seeing Craig and the current owner, both lovers of music and guitars, sit down for a day and talk amongst themselves to develop a trust," says attorney Peter Koenig who represented Craig in his pursuit of the guitar. "While us lawyers discussed esoteric legal points as to who, rightfully, would keep the guitar, Craig opened a dialogue with the current owner that ultimately allowed for both of them to share their feelings and realize their dream outcome. I look forward to the music Craig makes on '9-2180'."

The value of the guitar can only increase over time if it remains in its impeccable condition.

According to a Guitar Player magazine article in April 2016, Metallica's Kirk Hammett purchased a 1959 Les Paul Standard that was previously owned by Fleetwood Mac founder Peter Green and guitar great Gary Moore for a reported $2 million.

Craig looks forward to great things ahead, commenting, "What I'd really like to see is a reunion of Jefferson Starship original members who lost their instruments that day come together and perform with them again. Pete Sears got his bass back in 2013 and John Barbata got his cymbals back shortly after the riot."

As the popular Jefferson Starship song, "Rock Music," says, "Rock 'n' Roll is good time music... listen to it!"

And to quote yet another one of their hits, "Freedom at Point Zero," " 'n Rock 'n' Roll isn't over!"

Craig Chaquico Social Media

Official Website: www.craigchaquico.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/CraigChaquicoOfficalPage/?ref=hl

Twitter: www.twitter.com/CraigChaquico (@CraigChaquico)

YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/user/CraigChaquicoVideo

For more detailed information on the riot, itself, please see - http://starship.lu/E78/E78.html

Craig Chaquico reflects on career; hopes to be reunited with two stolen guitars

Craig Chaquico with 1959 Les
Paul Standard Sunburst guitar.

Craig Chaquico is that rare rock artist who has found success in two different bands, and subsequently as a solo artist celebrated for his work in a completely different musical genre.

In the 1970s, the Sacramento, California native earned early acclaim for his work as lead guitarist with Jefferson Starship (notably on the 1975 album Red Octopus, which includes the hit "Miracles" and the rock favorite "Fast Buck Freddie" he co-wrote with Grace Slick). In the 1980's several members of that band morphed into the commercial juggernaut known as Starship, where Chaquico played lead guitar on all of the band's iconic hits including "We Built This City," "Sara" and "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now." 

After leaving Starship in 1990, the talented Chaquico embarked on a winning solo career as an instrumental smooth jazz and blues guitarist, and scored a Grammy nomination for his 1994 disc Acoustic Planet.

I recently had the chance to catch up with Chaquico, where our phone chat focused on a wide-range of areas. He noted that he is working on completing a live DVD/CD release that was recorded on June 13, 2015, the 40th anniversary of the release of Red Octopus. That 1975 album reached the #1 spot on the Billboard 200 chart and remains one of the most beloved rock albums of the 1970s. Chaquico's live performance captured him performing material from his five decade career, including rock, jazz and blues selections.

"We recorded it at Sweetwater Music Hall in Mill Valley," explained Chaquico, noting the location of the original Sweetwater was "our local little town watering hole" in Marin County during Jefferson Starship's early days. "I lived right above that." 

Our conversation quickly turned to Chaquico's current quest to be reunited with several beloved electric guitars, including two instruments that were stolen in the wake of an infamous riot that played out while Jefferson Starship was on tour in Lorelei, Germany in the summer of 1978.The riot broke out when it was reported to the audience that Slick was not feeling well enough to perform. When the crowd rioted, the band escaped only to return to the scene the next morning and discover the stage had been set afire, and their instruments and equipment had been burned and – as with the case with Chaquico's two Gibson Les Paul guitars – stolen.

Later this spring, the artist is scheduled to go to federal court is hopes of securing the return of his 1959 Les Paul Standard Sunburst guitar.

"On June 13th (of 2016), the 41st anniversary of Red Octopus – is the day I go to court," Chaquico noted. 

It is a long and amazing story, but it has played out like a "Raiders of the Lost Ark" flick with a series of far-flung events including the return of one of Jefferson Starship bassist Pete Sears' instruments thought destroyed in the fire and a fateful connection made because Chaquico played in the 1978 Star Wars Holiday Special (which featured Jefferson Starship performing the Chaquico-penned "Light the Sky on Fire") leading him to connect with someone who provided him with the serial numbers of his lost guitars (via an article published in Germany in the late 1970s that posted the serial numbers).

"The guy said 'Not only do I have the serial numbers, I know where your Sunburst (guitar) is; in a guy's collection in Malibu.'," Chaquico explained.

Chaquico tracked down the collector who had his Sunburst guitar. At first it seemed as if it would be easy for Chaquico to secure the guitar (he had a wealth of documents and photos to prove it); but because the collector wanted to get a return on his financial investment events have led to the most recent developments; for now Chaquico's guitar is safely in the court's jurisdiction until it a final outcome is determined.

Craig Chaquico with 1957 Gold
Top Les Paul.

Chaquico has spent tens of  thousands of dollars on legal fees and related costs, and has made five trips to California to try to get back the Sunburst guitar. While he doesn't believe the person who purchased his guitar initially knew it was stolen, he believes it should clearly be returned to him. In addition, Chaquico is hoping the attention from this story will one day reunite him with the other guitar stolen from him in 1978  – his 1957 Gold Top Les Paul (Serial #7 8793), which Chaquico used during the recording of "Dragonfly" and "Red Octopus."

"The question is, 'How can I get it back and help get him whole? No matter what happens...maybe the band (Jefferson Starship) will do a reunion."


For more information on Chaquico, visit his Web site at CraigChaquico.com and follow him on Twitter: twitter.com/CraigChaquico.

Photo Credit for both photos: Roger Ressmeyer / Corbis

Top photo: Craig with 1959 Les Paul Sunburst

Middle photo: Craig with 1959 Les Paul Sunburst in recording studio with Jefferson Starship

Bottom photo: Craig with 1957 Gold Top Les Paul (Serial #7 8793)

Robert Kinsler

Craig Chaquico to perform intimate performance in Newport Beach on Friday, July 31

Famed Grammy-nominated guitarist Craig Chaquico will perform as part of the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach Summer Concert Series on Friday, July 31.

Chaquico is one of my favorite guitarists, both for his expressive and wide-ranging work with Jefferson Starship and Starship (spanning from 1974's Dragon Fly album to 1989's Love Among the Cannibals) to his successful solo career focusing on jazz and blues material. (Read my review of his solo performance at The Coach House back in September 2011 posted here). 

The guitarist's most notable solo releases include 1994's Acoustic Planet (which features a reworked version of his Starship gem "Find Your Way Back"),1998's From the Redwood to the Rockies (with Russ Freeman), 1999's Four Corners, 2005's Holiday, 2009's Follow the Sun and his winning blues album Fire Red Moon released in 2012.

2015 marks the 40th anniversary of Jefferson Starship's 1975 #1 album Red Octopus, and Chaquico is currently touring and recording with a long-time band of San Francisco Bay-area players including bassist Jim Reitzel and drummer Wade Olson. New members of his band include keyboardist Mark Thomas and singer Shaeny Celine Johnson.

For more information on Craig Chaquico's upcoming performance, visit http://www.hyattconcerts.com or call (949) 360-7800.

Story: Robert Kinsler

Photos: Bob Steshetz

Rock 'n' Roll reads: Guitar Player, Bobby Fuller, Canadian music and prog rock get their due

With summer in full swing, now is a good chance to spend some quality time reading some great new music books and concert films.


Title: Guitar Player: The Inside Story of the First Two Decades of the Most Successful Guitar Player Magazine Ever
Authors: Edited by Jim Crockett with Dara Crockett
Publisher: Backbeat Books
Tell me more: With a story as colorful and diverse as Guitar Player magazine, it's no wonder that long-time editor and publisher Jim Crockett enlists a talented and vast field off friends, family, writers and famous fret-masters to help pull together the seminal publication's early years in the outstanding Guitar Player: The Inside Story of the First Two Decades of the Most Successful Guitar, which at nearly 300 pages also boasts countless great archival images from the magazine and those who helped guide it from its founding in 1967 to its 1989 sale by founder Bud Eastman and Jim Crockett. It's unusual for a magazine to get this kind of celebration, but then Guitar Player was no mere magazine. It helped inspire generations of guitar greats, many of whom have written tributes in the volume. Among the heartfelt contributions come from the celebrated likes of Joe Perry (Aerosmith), Steve Morse (Kansas, Deep Purple), Craig Chaquico (Jefferson Starship) and George Benson. Information: backbeatbooks.com.
Get 'Guitar Player: The Inside Story of the First Two Decades of the Most Successful Guitar Magazine Ever' here



Title: I Fought the Law: The Life and Strange Death of Bobby Fuller
Authors: Miriam Linna and Randell Fuller
Publisher: Kicks Books
Tell me more: Although just about every rock 'n' roll fan knows the timeless 1966 hit "I Fought The Law," not very many know very much about the young Texas native who continued to successfully champion Buddy Holly-styled American rock during the midst of the British Invasion. Now the full story of Bobby Fuller (1942-1966) is assessed by the singer-songwriter-guitarist's brother Randell Fuller (the bassist of the Bobby Fuller Four) and Miriam Linna in the rewarding I Fought the Law: The Life and Strange Death of Bobby Fuller. Nearly 50 years after the death of his brother (Bobby Fuller was found dead at the age of 23 on July 18, 1966 in the front seat of a car doused in gasoline outside his Hollywood apartment), Randell Fuller finally opens up to share the full story about growing up with Bobby Fuller, their youth and the mysterious events that continue to surround the young star's death. Information: kicksbooks.com.
Buy 'I Fought The Law: The Life and Strange Death of Bobby Fuller' here

Title: The History of Canadian Rock 'n' Roll
Author: Bob Mersereau
Publisher: Backbeat Books
Tell me more: Until recently, Canadian artists never seemed to receive the acclaim of their American and British counterparts. The History of Canadian Rock 'n' Roll does a good job of celebrating the far-flung contributions of Canada's music notables, including Neil Young, Arcade Fire, Joni Mitchell, Rush, Alanis Morrissette, Bryan Adams, Leonard Cohen, The Band and dozens more. It's nice to see the author hasn't forgotten to feature some of the nation's under-the-radar heroes including the great singer-songwriter-guitar great Bruce Cockburn and singer-songwriter k.d. lang. The book provides a fast-paced and informative read. The sterling volume's foreword comes courtesy of Rush drummer Neil Peart. Information: backbeatbooks.com. 
Purchase 'The History of Canadian Rock n Roll' here 



Title: The Living Years: The First Genesis Memoir
Author: Mike RutherfordPublisher: Thomas Dunne
Tell me more: As one of the founders of British band Genesis (along with Phil Collins and Peter Gabriel), Mike Rutherford has a story to tell via the compelling The Living Years: The First Genesis Memoir. Now, the famed guitarist chronicles his life as a musician while also delving into his own family's history and the complex relationships that forge who we are. While learning about Rutherford and the members of Genesis, there is also a parallel look at Rutherford's father, Captain William Rutherford, and the events and places where life took Mike Rutherford in Genesis, as well as with his '80s solo project Mike + The Mechanics. Information: thomasdunnebooks.com.
Get 'The Living Years: The First Genesis Memoir' here

Inbox Update: The Who, Mindy Smith, Craig Chaquico

Classic rockers The Who, singer-songwriter Mindy Smith and guitar great Craig Chaquico are all the focus of upcoming October releases.


The Who 'Live In Texas '75' - coming to DVD on Oct. 9, 2012

New York, NY (August 23, 2012)—Eagle Rock Entertainment is thrilled to present one of the greatest live bands in rock’n’roll history: The Who Live In Texas ’75 on DVD October 9, 2012.

Pete Townshend. Roger Daltrey. Keith Moon. John Entwistle. Filmed in Houston, Texas on Nov. 20, 1975, it was right at the start of a massive tour of the U.S. to promote The Who By Numbers, their seventh album in their 10th year of existence. With Dolby Digital Stereo sound, this 117-minute 25-song bomb blast—previously only available as a muddled bootleg—has been pridefully restored to its rightful visual and sonic superiority by longtime Who collaborator Jon Astley.

Filmed only five years after what arguably is the greatest live album in rock, Live At Leeds, The Who Live In Texas ’75, lives up to and in some ways actually surpasses its predecessor’s greatness. The Who, at that particular point in time, had achieved an unerring almost magical mystical chemistry. Between the windmilling antics of guitarist Townshend, the mic wire lasso of lead singer Daltrey, the crazed bombastic danger of drummer Moon (1946-1978) and, of course, their secret weapon, genius bassist John Entwistle (1944-2002), this was a truly revolutionary band who changed all the hard rock rules. Even the punks, in the anti-rock star era of the late ‘70s, loved The Who.

The extensive Tommy section…the savage recreations of early hits such as “My Generation” (with its iconic “hope I die before I get old” line delivered in all its lusty nihilistic truth)…the celebrated cover of Eddie Cochran’s “Summertime Blues”…plus “Baba O’Riley” and “Won’t Get Fooled Again” make this a Who fan’s delight.

Track Listing


1) Substitute

2) I Can’t Explain

3) Squeeze Box

4) Baba O’Riley

5) Boris The Spider

6) Drowned

7) However Much I Booze

8) Dreaming From The Waist

9) Behind Blue Eyes

10) Amazing Journey

11) Sparks

12) Acid Queen

13) Fiddle About

14) Pinball Wizard

15) I’m Free

16) Tommy’s Holiday Camp

17) We’re Not Going To Take It / See Me, Feel Me / Listening To You

18) Summertime Blues

19) My Generation

20) Join Together

21) Naked Eye

22) Roadrunner

23) Won’t Get Fooled Again

24) Magic Bus

25) My Generation Blues


'The Essential Mindy Smith' to be released on Oct. 9, 2012

A retrospective of Smith’s most indelible recordings including the songs “Come to Jesus,” “Out Loud,” “One Moment More,” and “Jolene”

August 23, 2012 -- Vanguard Records is proud to announce the release of The Essential Mindy Smith– a thirteen track collection featuring songs from the highly acclaimed singer-songwriter’s three Vanguard Records studio albums: One Moment More, Long Island Shores and Stupid Love. This compilation also includes Mindy’s cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “Little Lies,” previously available only as an iTunes bonus track. The Essential Mindy Smith will be released October 9 via CD, LP, and Digital formats and documents a distinct era in the career of a remarkable artist. Full track listing below.


The world first discovered Mindy Smith in 2003 when she was featured as the only new artist (amongst such luminaries as Emmylou Harris and Melissa Ethridge) on the Dolly Parton tribute album Just Because I’m a Woman with her impeccable version of ‘Jolene’. (Parton later sang with Smith on The Tonight Show and appeared in a music video for the song.)

In 2004, Smith released her auspicious debut One Moment More. With such provocative and compelling songs such as “Come to Jesus” and the title track, an avalanche of critical raves quickly followed. The New Yorker quipped “In the great post-Norah Jones sweepstakes, the smart money is on Smith,” while USA Today hailed Smith’s debut as “one of the most buzzed-about albums of the new year.” As such, Smith established herself as a leader among her generation of musicians.

In 2006, Smith released her second album, Long Island Shores – paying homage to the town where she was raised – featuring the songs “Out Loud,” and “Please Stay.” Smith again earned praise far and wide, with the New York Times hailing, “Her voice carves melodies so sharp and fine you can almost see them.” The Associated Press likewise dubbed Long Island Shores “intoxicating.”

Stupid Love, which followed in 2009, found Mindy exploring pop songcraft and featured the gems “Please Stay,” “Highs and Lows,” and the Fleetwood Mac cover “Little Lies” as an iTunes bonus track. Stupid Love became Smith’s highest-charting album to date, reaching Number One on Billboard’s Heatseekers chart.


Mindy Smith is currently on tour in support of her new self-titled fifth studio album and first independent recording on Giant Leap/TVX Records. Tour dates listed below.


The Essential Mindy Smith track listing:

1. Come to Jesus

2. Out Loud

3. It’s Amazing

4. Highs and Lows

5. Please Stay

6. Jolene

7. Hard To Know

8. Tennessee

9. Love Lost

10. Little Lies

11. Fighting For It All

12. Peace of Mind

13. One Moment More


2012 Fall tour dates:



9/14/2012 Nashville, TN - The Rutledge (Americana Music Festival)

9/19/2012 Phoenix, AZ - Rhythm Room

9/20/2012 San Diego, CA -The Griffin

9/21/2012 Santa Monica, CA - McCabe's Guitar Shop

9/23/2012 Pleasanton, CA - Firehouse Arts Center

9/25/2012 Portland, OR - Mississippi Studios

9/26/2012 Seattle, WA - Tractor Tavern

9/28/2012 Boise, ID - Boise Cont. Theater

9/29/2012 Salt Lake City, UT -The State Room

9/30/2012 Denver, CO - Swallow Hill

10/2/2012 Santa Fe, NM - Sol Santa Fe

10/4/2012 Woodlands, TX - Dosey Doe CoffeeHouse

10/5/2012 Austin, TX - Cactus Cafe

10/6/2012 San Antonio, TX -Sam's Burger Joint

10/7/2012 Dallas, TX - Kessler Theater


New Craig Chaquico album set for release on Oct. 16, 2012

Craig Chaquico, platinum-selling lead guitarist and songwriter with Jefferson Starship as well as a chart-topping smooth jazz solo artist, takes a walk on the bluesier side of the street with his Blind Pig debut, Fire Red Moon. The American roots music label has announced an October 16, 2012 release date for the recording.

From the radio-friendly opening tracks, "Lie To Me" (with vocal by Noah Hunt of the Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band) and "Devil's Daughter" to the thunderous conclusion of Robert Johnson's "Crossroads," Chaquico explores the thoroughfares and back alleys where blues and rock intersect. There's an instrumental version of Albert King's signature tune, "Born Under A Bad Sign," a rousing cover of Muddy Waters' "Rollin' And Tumblin'," and sterling originals that echo the stylings of blues/rock forerunners such as Cream, Jimi Hendrix, ZZ Top, and Steely Dan. There's even an instrumental tune entitled "Blue On Blue" that would appeal to Craig's many smooth jazz fans.



As a teenager, Chaquico (pronounced Cha-KEY-so) was invited by Paul Kantner and Grace Slick to join Jefferson Starship and played a seminal role in making that group (later re-named Starship) one of the top selling bands in history, earning twenty platinum and gold albums. On the best-selling album of their career, Red Octopus, Rolling Stone remarked that "the emergence of guitarist Craig Chaquico resulted in the finest San Francisco music since the heyday of the Haight."


Chaquico became a central figure in the band, playing lead guitar on all their hits from 1973 to 1990 including "Miracles," "We Built This City," "Sara" and "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now," and developing into one of their main songwriters. He wrote or co-wrote some of Starship's most memorable songs such as "Find Your Way Back," "Jane," "Layin' It On The Line," and "Rock and Roll Is Good Time Music." While others came and went, Craig is the only person in the band to appear on every recording, tour, MTV video, album, and hit song during that time.

Then, after finding himself at the top of the national charts in each of three consecutive decades, Craig left the fast-paced pop world of arena rock and reinvented himself as a top-selling contemporary jazz/New Age guitarist, once again topping the Billboard and radio charts. Altogether, the acclaimed guitarist has sold over a million albums as a soloist. He was also voted the "Best Pop Instrumental Guitarist" by the readers of Guitar Player while Jazziz magazine listed him as one of the "Top 100 Most Influential Guitarists of All Time."

Now entering the fifth decade of his illustrious career, with the release of Fire Red Moon Chaquico continues his improbable journey from the boy-wonder of 70's rock to genre-defying success as a top jazz and new age guitarist, returning now to the roots blues he listened to in his early teens.

Says Chaquico, "The multi-platinum stadium rock period in my musical life was as rewarding as it was fun, and part of my higher musical education. And as much as I still love instrumental smooth jazz, which for me was always blues-based anyway, I sometimes missed the edge that I could experience with blues-based rock and roll."



Blind Pig's signing of Chaquico continues something of a trend for the label, and the music business in general it seems - the release of roots blues albums from well-established rock stars. In recent years Blind Pig has released titles by two members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - Ray Manzarek of The Doors and Jeremy Spencer of Fleetwood Mac. Meanwhile, the market has seen very successful blues releases from pop star Cyndi Lauper and even well known TV actor Hugh Laurie.

Craig Chaquico delights crowd at The Coach House

Guitarist Craig Chaquico utilized the laser-guided Beamz during several original compositions at The Coach House on Sept. 3, 2011.

Photos courtesy of Bob Steshetz

Craig Chaquico has carved two careers out of his skill and love of playing guitar.

From 1974 to 1990, Chaquico was the lead guitarist of Jefferson Airplane and Jefferson Starship (later dubbed simply Starship), with his masterful work on his instrument enlivening classic tracks such as the beautiful "Miracles," hard rocking "Jane," popular rock ballad "Sara" and my favorite Jefferson Starship song, the Chaquico-penned "Find Your Way Back."


At the dawn of the 1990s, Chaquico embarked on a solo career crafting instrumental music, which has earned him an equally-strong appreciation with the release of a number of strong releases, including Acoustic Highway (1993), Acoustic Planet (1994), Midnight Noon (2004) and Follow the Sun (2009).

Chaquico took a break from work on his upcoming album (set for release in early 2012) to perform a full-length concert at The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano on Saturday night, Sept. 3, with the 75-minute performance serving as a celebration of his solo career.

Although this night found Chaquico performing on stage by himself, his use of technology allowed him to effortlessly perform with the accompaniment of a full group via backing tracks. But it was Chaquico's live playing that most impressed, including some of his best-known compositions. Indeed, "Cafe Carnival," "Acoustic Highway," "Sacred Ground" and "Return of the Eagle" allowed him to showcase his guitar skills blending his virtuoso skills on the fretboard with musical landscapes incorporating jazz, rock, Native American music, blues and flamenco.

A naturally-gifted storyteller, he often provided the inspiration and stories behind his selections. In several works, including "Gathering of the Tribes," he used his laser-guided Beamz (see the image at the top of this review) to add another dimension to his piece inspired by an invitation to perform and attend at a Pow Wow. He also had a fan in the audience come up on stage and use the technology-minded instrument to play with him during the show.

Chaquico ended his concert with an impressive version of "Return of the Eagle," with his guitar playing soaring like the track's namesake.

For more information on Chaquico, visit his official Web site.

For more information on photographer Bob Steshetz, visit his Bob By Request site.

Craig Chaquico plays Coach House on Saturday, Sept. 3

Former Jefferson Starship guitarist (seen here at NAMM in January 2011) has carved out a successful solo career blending rock, contemporary jazz, blues, new age and American Indian styles. He’ll be the headliner at a three-act concert in San Juan Capistrano on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2011.


Craig Chaquico, the lead guitarist who performed on all of Jefferson Starship’s hits from 1973 to 1990, quickly reinvented himself as an influential instrumentalist who went on to sell more than a million albums as a solo act, with compositions that blend rock, contemporary jazz, blues, new age and American Indian styles.

Chaquico (pronounced Cha-KEY-so) will headline Saturday night (Sept. 3, 2011) at The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano. He most recently came to Orange County in January, when he attended the NAMM music trade show in Anaheim and performed on acoustic guitar and the laser-guided instrument Beamz.


I had the pleasure of getting to meet the legendary guitarist and see him perform at NAMM, and even took him up on his offer to play on the Beamz while he played guitar. That is likely the closest I'll ever get to performing with a high-profile player of his calibre to be sure!

Compositions such as “Indian Spring,” “Cafe Carnivale” and “Gathering of the Tribes” are among Chaquico’s memorable works.

The Sacramento native’s most recent full-length album, Follow the Sun, was released in 2009 as a tribute to his late parents. The disc includes the flamenco-style “Azores Lisboa” (a reference to the Azores Islands and Lisbon, Portugal, where his parents lived before coming to the United States), the jazz-tinged “Solar Wind,” the funky “Circus Beach” and a cover of Kenny G’s “Songbird.”

Other releases include the Grammy-nominated Acoustic Highway (1993), Acoustic Planet (1994), Four Corners (1999), Shadow and Light (2002) and “Midnight Noon” (2004).

Tickets for Chaquico's performance at The Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, CA, are $20.

For more information, contact the Coach House at (949)496-8930 or visit www.thecoachhouse.com.