Gary Duncan, Quicksilver Messenger Service Guitarist, Dies At 72
I call him a co-guitarist, as he and John Cipollina would trade off roles, it wasn't a strict rhythm/lead arrangement. Cipollina was one of my all-time fave guitar players, very unique, far more interesting in my book that Garcia ever was(sorry, Deadheads). Duncan, while not that singular, still held his own quite well, and provided lots of vocals along with bassist David Frieberg. Like a lot of bands, they had a brief golden moment(first two albums)and unfortunately had some turmoil in the song writing and personnel department. Duncan left briefly by the third album(replaced by British keyboard wiz Nicky Hopkins), but returned in time for the expanded band(featuring, for better or for worse, Dino Valenti)that actually squeezed out a couple of fairly mainstream hits, "Fresh Air" and "What About Me".
I call him a co-guitarist, as he and John Cipollina would trade off roles, it wasn't a strict rhythm/lead arrangement. Cipollina was one of my all-time fave guitar players, very unique, far more interesting in my book that Garcia ever was(sorry, Deadheads). Duncan, while not that singular, still held his own quite well, and provided lots of vocals along with bassist David Frieberg. Like a lot of bands, they had a brief golden moment(first two albums)and unfortunately had some turmoil in the song writing and personnel department. Duncan left briefly by the third album(replaced by British keyboard wiz Nicky Hopkins), but returned in time for the expanded band(featuring, for better or for worse, Dino Valenti)that actually squeezed out a couple of fairly mainstream hits, "Fresh Air" and "What About Me".
