BILL KIRCHEN

'Bill Kirchen' (born Jan 29, 1948 in Ann Arbor, Michigan)[1]) is an American rockabilly guitarist, singer and songwriter. He was the guitarist with the original Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen from 1967 to the mid-1970s, although, in reality, his time with the Commander accounts for only a portion of his career. Known as "The Titan of The Telecaster" for his big, twangy licks and diverse musical styles, he played the unmistakable lead on the 1972 Commander Cody hit "Hot Rod Lincoln." In the years since, his body of work has been rich and varied, recording albums and making dozens of appearances on recordings by other artists.
Kirchen grew up in Ann Arbor Michigan, where he attended high school with Iggy Pop and Bob Seger. In recent years, Kirchen has toured or recorded with Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello, Doug Sahm, Emmylou Harris, and others.
Kirchen's signature sound has been dubbed "Dieselbilly" as it incorporates elements of Country music, Blues, Rockabilly, Western Swing and Boogie-Woogie - laced with themes of American truck driving music that were explored years earlier by Red Sovine, Dave Dudley, Red Simpson and others. These styles were later fully developed during his stint with Commander Cody and his writing collaborations with Blackie Farrell. Although, to categorize his music in this way ignores the breadth of his influences and depth of his talent.
He plays a Fender Telecaster almost exclusively, and his main unit through the years has been a 1959 model with a Maple fretboard and Sunburst finish - practically all of which has been worn off by years of playing. Ironically, this Telecaster came to him in 1967 by way of an even trade with a complete stranger he met on bus, with Kirchen handing over his own Gibson SG in exchange.

For the better part of 20 years he lived in the Washington D.C. area, where he formed the band Bill Kirchen and Too Much Fun, featuring Dave Elliot on drums and Jeff Sarli on bass. However, the best-known and most prolific lineup of Too Much Fun featured the rhythm section of Johnny Castle (bass,vocals) and Jack O'Dell (drums,vocals). The band produced a string of critically acclaimed albums: "Have Love, Will Travel", "Hot Rod Lincoln - Live", "Raise a Ruckus", "Tied to the Wheel", and "Dieselbilly Road Trip".

Kirchen is a contemporary (and associate) of many D.C. guitarists such as the late Danny Gatton and Roy Buchanan, Link Wray, Tom Principato, Evan Johns, Billy Hancock, Linwood Taylor, Dave Chappell, the Nighthawks and others who, during this time, forged an elite fraternity of Washington D.C.-area roots rock performers. In fact, it is more common than not for musicians to appear as special guests at Kirchen show's for extended jam sessions. These shows are often billed as "Twin Twang", with two or more guests on stage trading riffs.

In 2005 he moved to the west coast to take care of family, and currently resides in Manchaca, Texas. His live show includes an extended version of "Hot Rod Lincoln," in which he solos in the styles of many famous rock, blues, power pop, punk, and country guitarists, including Johnny Cash, Duane Eddy, Roy Orbison, Johnny Rivers, Marty Robbins, Buck Owens, Merle Travis, Merle Haggard, Bob Wills, Bo Diddley, Elmore James, Muddy Waters, Jimmy Reed, Link Wray, Vince Gill, Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, The Ventures, Jerry Reed, Earl Scruggs, Lester Flatt, Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, The Monkees, Cream, Deep Purple, The Rolling Stones, The Sex Pistols, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and even, as he says, "The Kings" -- Elvis, B.B. King, Albert King, Billy Jean King (a tongue in cheek Pong style imitation of tennis), King Kong (a comical visual), Don King (another visual), and others.

Kirchen released his first album in a number of years Jan. 30 2007, Hammer of the Honky Tonk Gods on Proper American Records. The disc is a mix of Kirchen's musical styles. Nick Lowe guests on the album. Kirchen is also quite popular in Britain, Europe and Australia.
Besides being a singer, songwriter, and guitarist, Kirchen is also known for his whistling skills and trombone playing.

Contents

External links

External links

★ Proper Records review

★ Bill Kirchen Official Website

★ Bill Kirchen feature and CD reviews at Country Standard Time

★ Johnny Castle's Official Website

★ The Thrillbillys Official Website