Gary Duncan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gary Duncan
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Eugene Duncan, Jr., Gary Ray Grubb |
| Born | September 4, 1946 San Diego, California, U.S. |
| Died | June 29, 2019 (aged 72) Woodland, California, U.S. |
| Genres | Rock |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
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| Years active | 1960s–2019 |
| Associated acts | Quicksilver Messenger Service, The Brogues |
Gary Duncan was a talented American guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He was born on September 4, 1946, and passed away on June 29, 2019. Gary was a key member of the famous band Quicksilver Messenger Service. His unique guitar playing helped create the band's special sound.
Contents
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Gary Duncan was born in San Diego, California. He grew up in a town called Ceres, California. As a young musician, he played guitar for a band called the Ratz. They even opened shows for big bands like the Byrds and the Rolling Stones!
In 1965, Gary joined a band called the Brogues. It was there that he met Greg Elmore, who would later become the drummer for Quicksilver Messenger Service. Gary stayed with the Brogues until they broke up in 1965.
Joining Quicksilver Messenger Service
Later in 1965, Gary Duncan got a call from John Cipollina. John invited Gary and Greg Elmore to try out for a new band called Quicksilver Messenger Service. The band played their first show in December 1965.
Gary and John Cipollina played their guitars together in a very special way. Their complex guitar playing became a big part of the psychedelic rock sound. After recording two albums, Gary left Quicksilver Messenger Service for a short time in 1969. He spent a year exploring and riding motorcycles.
In 1970, Gary rejoined Quicksilver Messenger Service. Another singer and guitarist, Dino Valenti, also joined the band. This led the group to try a more folk rock sound. By 1971, some of the original members left the band. But Gary, Greg Elmore, and Dino Valenti kept playing as Quicksilver Messenger Service until the late 1970s.
Gary Duncan's Later Music Career
In the mid-1980s, Gary Duncan started using the Quicksilver name again. He began touring with his own band. He even released an album called Peace by Piece. He put out a few more albums in the 1990s under the Quicksilver name. However, he was the only original member in the group.
Gary toured with a four-person band until 2001. After the September 11 attacks, he found it hard to get shows. He even had to take apart his home music studio because of money problems.
Gary took a break from music for a few years. But in 2004, he started releasing music from his Quicksilver band from the 1980s and 1990s. In 2006, Gary reunited with David Freiberg, another original member. They started touring together again as Quicksilver Messenger Service. They continued to perform until Gary's death.
Gary Duncan's Passing
On June 19, 2019, Gary Duncan had a fall and a seizure. He then had several heart attacks. He went into a coma and sadly passed away on June 29, 2019. He never woke up from the coma.
Discography
With Quicksilver Messenger Service
- Quicksilver Messenger Service (1968)
- Happy Trails (1969)
- Just for Love (1970)
- What About Me (1970)
- Quicksilver (1971)
- Comin' Thru (1972)
- Solid Silver (1975)
With Gary Duncan's Quicksilver
- Peace by Piece (1986)
- Shape Shifter (1996)
- Live at Field Stone (1997)
- Six-String Voodoo (2009)
- The Hermit (2010)
- Strange Trim (2011)
With Crawfish of Love
- Snake Language (2006)
