Billy Zoom

Billy Zoom
Background information
Birth name Tyson Kindell
Born (1948-02-20) February 20, 1948
Savanna, Illinois, U.S.A
Origin Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.
Genres Rockabilly
Country rock
Folk
Punk rock
Occupation(s) musician, record producer
Instruments Guitar, Banjo, Flute, Clarinet, Violin, Saxophone
Associated acts X

Billy Zoom (born Tyson Kindell on February 20, 1948, in Savanna, Illinois) is an American guitarist, best known as one of the founders of the punk rock band X. He is an Anaheim resident and owns the Billy Zoom Custom Shop near Old Towne Orange. The 67-year-old was diagnosed in 2015 with an aggressive form of bladder cancer and will begin immediate treatment. [1] He has since stated that he is "cancer-free" but will continue receiving chemotherapy treatments. [2]

Early life

The son of a Big Band woodwinds player, Kindell began playing a variety of instruments, including violin, accordion, piano, clarinet, tenor, alto, and baritone saxophones, flute, banjo, and guitar.

Upon moving to Los Angeles in the 1960s, he worked as a session guitarist while attending technical school for training in electronics repair. He has an insider's reputation as an expert in the maintenance, restoration, and modification of vintage tube amplifiers, and Combo Organs. He has performed custom technical work on the amps for a host of electric guitarists and bassists.

Career

Billy Zoom (center) performing with the band X in 2004

Although best known as guitarist and founding member of punk rock band X, Zoom has also worked with rockabilly legend Gene Vincent, The Blasters, Etta James, Big Joe Turner, Mike Ness, and dozens of other major recording artists. He is known for his grinning stage presence and tendency to make eye contact with audience members.

In June 2008, in honor of his longevity in the world music community and contribution to the legacy of Gretsch guitars, Gretsch unveiled the G6129BZ Billy Zoom Custom Shop Tribute Silver Jet.

References

  1. ↑ http://www.ocregister.com/articles/zoom-670959-help-billy.html
  2. ↑ http://loudwire.com/x-billy-zoom-cancer-free-return-to-shows-between-treatment/

External links


This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Saturday, December 26, 2015. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.