James Calvin Wilsey
James Calvin Wilsey | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 21, 1970[1] Logansport, Indiana, U.S. |
| Genres | Punk rock, pop music |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instrument(s) | Guitar |
| Years active | 1977–present |
| Labels | Lakeshore Records |
James Calvin Wilsey (born 1957) is an American musician. He played bass with San Francisco punk band the Avengers, but became better known as the lead guitarist for Stockton crooner Chris Isaak's band Silvertone. His playing was featured on Isaak's albums Silvertone, Chris Isaak, Heart Shaped World and San Francisco Days.
Musical style
Wilsey's 1965 Fender Stratocaster and use of reverb, delay and gentle vibrato gave a distinctive sound to Isaak hits such as "Wicked Game" (the opening two-note riff, in his own words, "crystallizes Wilsey's approach") and "Blue Hotel".[2]
Dropping the moniker "Calvin", Wilsey released a solo album of guitar instrumentals in 2008, titled El Dorado, which paid homage to musical influences such as Duane Eddy, the Shadows, Billy Strange, James Burton and Link Wray[3]
Selected discography
Solo
- El Dorado (2008)
With the Avengers
- We Are the One EP (1977)
- Avengers EP (1979)
- Avengers (1983)
- Died for Your Sins (1999)
- Zero Hour (2003)
- The American in Me (2004)
- Live at Winterland 1978 (2010)
With Chris Isaak
- Silvertone (1985)
- Chris Isaak (1986)
- Heart Shaped World (1989)
- San Francisco Days (1993)
References
- ^ http://www.tdpri.com/threads/happy-birthday-jimmy-wilsey.80147/
- ^ Elliott, Steve (10 January 2015). "James Wilsey, Former Chris Isaak Guitarist". Something Else!.
- ^ "James Wilsey Finds El Dorado". Punk Turns 30. 26 February 2008.
External links
- James Calvin Wilsey at AllMusic
- James Calvin Wilsey discography at Discogs
- James Calvin Wilsey at IMDb
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