Kingfish (band)
Encyclopedia
Kingfish is an American
rock band
led by Matthew Kelly
, a musician, singer, and songwriter who plays guitar
and harmonica
. Kelly co-founded Kingfish in 1973 with New Riders of the Purple Sage
bass
player Dave Torbert
and fellow San Francisco Bay Area
musicians Robbie Hoddinott, Chris Herold, and Mick Ward. However, Ward died in a car accident later that year, and was soon replaced by Barry Flast, another keyboardist from San Francisco.
In 1974, Kingfish became more well known, and signed their first record contract, after Grateful Dead
member Bob Weir
, a long time friend of Kelly's, joined the band. (Kelly had previously been a guest musician on the Grateful Dead album Wake of the Flood
.) Weir toured with Kingfish and was a band member on their first two albums, Kingfish and Live 'n' Kickin'
. When the Dead started touring again in 1976, Weir left Kingfish,along with Hoddinott and Herold,who were then replaced by Barry Flast, Michael O'Neill and Dave Perper. (Kelly later appeared on the Grateful Dead albums Shakedown Street
and The Closing of Winterland
, and on Weir's album Bobby and the Midnites. In 1995 he became a founding member of Weir's band Ratdog
.)
The lineup of the band continued to change, with Kelly and Torbert remaining at the core. Then, in 1979 Torbert and Kelly parted ways and Torbert formed a new lineup with Danny "Rio" DeGennaro and Michael O'Neill on guitars and sharing lead vocals. Also part of that lineup were drummer Steve Shive and Ralph Liberto. Dave Torbert died from a heart attack in 1983.
Starting in 1984, Kingfish would regroup from time to time and go on tour with a gradually evolving lineup of musicians led by Matthew Kelly and Barry Flast (who had been with the band off and on since 1974). In 1987, Kelly also released a solo album called A Wing and a Prayer. In 1999 Kingfish released a new studio album, Sundown on the Forest
, recorded over a period of several years with different combinations of musicians, including Bob Weir and a number of other Kingfish veterans.
In the 1990s, the touring activity of Kingfish slowly decreased. Late in that decade, Kelly was living in Hawaii, and making a yearly trip to India. Since then the band has not performed live.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rock band
Rock Band
Rock Band is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems, published by MTV Games and Electronic Arts. It is the first title in the Rock Band series. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions were released in the United States on November 20, 2007, while the PlayStation 2 version was...
led by Matthew Kelly
Matthew Kelly (musician)
Matthew Kelly, also known as Matt Kelly, is an American musician, singer, and songwriter. He plays guitar and harmonica. Kelly is best known for being the leader of the rock band Kingfish, and for his association with Bob Weir and the Grateful Dead....
, a musician, singer, and songwriter who plays guitar
Electric guitar
An electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
and harmonica
Harmonica
The harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
. Kelly co-founded Kingfish in 1973 with New Riders of the Purple Sage
New Riders of the Purple Sage
New Riders of the Purple Sage is an American country rock band. The group emerged from the psychedelic rock scene in San Francisco, California in 1969, and its original lineup included several members of the Grateful Dead. Their best known song is "Panama Red"...
bass
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
player Dave Torbert
Dave Torbert
Dave Torbert was a Bay Area musician, best known for his associations with the Grateful Dead and the New Riders of the Purple Sage. He played bass for the latter group, replacing Phil Lesh during the sessions for their first album...
and fellow San Francisco Bay Area
San Francisco Bay Area
The San Francisco Bay Area, commonly known as the Bay Area, is a populated region that surrounds the San Francisco and San Pablo estuaries in Northern California. The region encompasses metropolitan areas of San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose, along with smaller urban and rural areas...
musicians Robbie Hoddinott, Chris Herold, and Mick Ward. However, Ward died in a car accident later that year, and was soon replaced by Barry Flast, another keyboardist from San Francisco.
In 1974, Kingfish became more well known, and signed their first record contract, after Grateful Dead
Grateful Dead
The Grateful Dead was an American rock band formed in 1965 in the San Francisco Bay Area. The band was known for its unique and eclectic style, which fused elements of rock, folk, bluegrass, blues, reggae, country, improvisational jazz, psychedelia, and space rock, and for live performances of long...
member Bob Weir
Bob Weir
Bob Weir is an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist, most recognized as a founding member of the Grateful Dead. After the Grateful Dead disbanded in 1995, Weir performed with The Other Ones, later known as The Dead, together with other former members of the Grateful Dead...
, a long time friend of Kelly's, joined the band. (Kelly had previously been a guest musician on the Grateful Dead album Wake of the Flood
Wake of the Flood
Wake of the Flood is the sixth studio album by the Grateful Dead. It was recorded between August 4 and September 1, 1973 and originally released on October 15, 1973. It was the first release under the band's own label, Grateful Dead Records, after fulfilling their contract with Warner Bros. Records...
.) Weir toured with Kingfish and was a band member on their first two albums, Kingfish and Live 'n' Kickin'
Live 'N' Kickin' (Kingfish album)
Live 'n' Kickin' is the second album by the rock group Kingfish. It was recorded live at the Roxy in West Hollywood, California. Released as an LP in 1977, it has not been issued on CD.-Track listing:# "Goodbye Your Honor"...
. When the Dead started touring again in 1976, Weir left Kingfish,along with Hoddinott and Herold,who were then replaced by Barry Flast, Michael O'Neill and Dave Perper. (Kelly later appeared on the Grateful Dead albums Shakedown Street
Shakedown Street
Shakedown Street is the tenth studio album by the Grateful Dead. It was released on November 15, 1978 by Arista.The album was released for the first time on CD in 1990 by Arista Records before being re-released in 2000 by BMG International. It was then remastered, expanded, and released as part of...
and The Closing of Winterland
The Closing of Winterland
The Closing of Winterland is a 4 CD soundtrack of the Grateful Dead's New Year's Eve show 1978. The concert was also released as a 2 disc DVD. The title derives from the fact that it was the last concert in San Francisco's Winterland Arena, which was shut down shortly thereafter...
, and on Weir's album Bobby and the Midnites. In 1995 he became a founding member of Weir's band Ratdog
Ratdog
RatDog , is an American rock band. The group began as a side project for Grateful Dead rhythm guitarist Bob Weir and bassist Rob Wasserman. After the Grateful Dead disbanded in December 1995, following the death of Jerry Garcia on August 9, 1995, RatDog became Bob Weir's primary band...
.)
The lineup of the band continued to change, with Kelly and Torbert remaining at the core. Then, in 1979 Torbert and Kelly parted ways and Torbert formed a new lineup with Danny "Rio" DeGennaro and Michael O'Neill on guitars and sharing lead vocals. Also part of that lineup were drummer Steve Shive and Ralph Liberto. Dave Torbert died from a heart attack in 1983.
Starting in 1984, Kingfish would regroup from time to time and go on tour with a gradually evolving lineup of musicians led by Matthew Kelly and Barry Flast (who had been with the band off and on since 1974). In 1987, Kelly also released a solo album called A Wing and a Prayer. In 1999 Kingfish released a new studio album, Sundown on the Forest
Sundown on the Forest
Sundown on the Forest is an album by the rock group Kingfish. It was recorded over a period of several years with different combinations of musicians, and released in 1999...
, recorded over a period of several years with different combinations of musicians, including Bob Weir and a number of other Kingfish veterans.
In the 1990s, the touring activity of Kingfish slowly decreased. Late in that decade, Kelly was living in Hawaii, and making a yearly trip to India. Since then the band has not performed live.
Discography
- Kingfish – 1976 (Round) U.S. #50
- Live 'n' KickinLive 'N' Kickin' (Kingfish album)Live 'n' Kickin' is the second album by the rock group Kingfish. It was recorded live at the Roxy in West Hollywood, California. Released as an LP in 1977, it has not been issued on CD.-Track listing:# "Goodbye Your Honor"...
– 1977 (Jet) U.S. #103 - TridentTrident (Kingfish album)Trident is an album by the rock band Kingfish. Their second studio album and their third album overall, it was recorded at the Record Plant in Sausalito, California, and released by Jet Records in 1978....
– 1978 (Jet) - KingfishKingfish (1985 album)Kingfish is an album by the rock band Kingfish. It contains previously unreleased tracks that were recorded at various times during the band's first eight years, and is sometimes referred to as Kingfish . Released by Relix Records as a vinyl LP in 1985, side one was recorded in the studio, and...
– 1985 (Relix) - Alive in Eighty FiveAlive in Eighty FiveAlive in Eighty Five — also known as Alive in '85 — is an album by the rock band Kingfish. It was recorded at Sweetwater in Mill Valley, California in 1985, and released by Relix Records as a vinyl LP later that year. It was released on CD in 1991.It is unclear whether or not Alive in Eighty Five...
– 1985 (Relix) - Kingfish in Concert: King Biscuit Flower HourKingfish in Concert: King Biscuit Flower HourKingfish in Concert: King Biscuit Flower Hour is a live album by the rock group Kingfish. It was recorded at the Beacon Theatre in New York City on April 3, 1976, and released in 1996...
– 1996 (King Biscuit) - Relix's Best of Kingfish – 1997 (Relix)
- A Night in New York – 1997 (Relix)
- Sundown on the ForestSundown on the ForestSundown on the Forest is an album by the rock group Kingfish. It was recorded over a period of several years with different combinations of musicians, and released in 1999...
– 1999 (Phoenix Rising) - Live – 2000 (EMI–Capitol Special Markets)
- From the Front Row... Live – 2003 – DVD-AudioDVD-AudioDVD-Audio is a digital format for delivering high-fidelity audio content on a DVD. DVD-Audio is not intended to be a video delivery format and is not the same as video DVDs containing concert films or music videos....
(Silverline) - Greatest Hits Live – 2003 (King Biscuit)
- I Hear You Knockin – 2004 (Disky)