b. 26 September 1954, Sacramento, California, USA. Already interested in music, when he was aged 12 Chaquico was severely injured in a road accident. In hospital, with a broken leg, wrist, thumb and both arms, he was encouraged by his doctor to play the guitar as a form of therapy. Although self-taught, he progressed rapidly and while still in high school was playing engagements in his home-town. Inspired by the music of bands and artists such as Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix, he gained a formidable reputation and at the age of 16 he was invited by Grace Slick to play lead guitar in the new band she was forming with Paul Kantner, the Jefferson Starship. His reputation spread, owing in part to his compositions for the band, which included ‘Jane’, ‘Find Your Way Back’, ‘Can’t Find Love’, and ‘Layin’ It On The Line’. Over a period of two decades the achievements of Jefferson Starship and Starship were many, including 13 gold and platinum albums, a Golden Globe award, and nominations for a Grammy and an Oscar.
In time, however, Chaquico grew dissatisfied with the business aspects of rock and quit. He also turned away from the electric guitar and started playing the acoustic instrument. This took him in a new musical direction and Acoustic Highway became Billboard’s number 1 Independent Adult Alternative/New Age Album of 1993. On the follow-up, Acoustic Planet, Chaquico paid tribute to the supportive doctor, named Elizabeth, who had encouraged him in the hospital. At that time, his injuries had meant that he could reach only the guitar’s E string, hence the title of the song, ‘Center Of Courage (E-Lizabeth’s Song)’. Another song on this album, ‘Just One World’, was chosen for inclusion in NASA’s Space Ark project, a satellite that will carry mankind’s message to other worlds.
Apart from Jefferson Starship/Starship and his own-name albums, Chaquico has also played and/or recorded with Russ Freeman, Paul Kantner, 3rd Force and Jack Traylor among many. Aside from his performing and composing, Chaquico has long been active with AMTA (American Music Therapy Association). In this capacity, he plays at hospitals and also donates musical instruments for therapeutic use by patients around the country.
