Who Do You Love Suite

Quicksilver Messenger Service, 1969. Solo by John Cipollina, Gary Duncan.

A side-long reworking of Bo Diddley's song gives each member a feature, anchored by Cipollina's vibrato-heavy lead.

On Happy Trails, Quicksilver Messenger Service turn Bo Diddley's Who Do You Love into a side-long suite, giving each member a section before bringing the band back together. John Cipollina's lead is the element most listeners remember: his heavy, wobbling vibrato and nervy, trebly tone make each note shiver in a way few guitarists of the period sounded like. Gary Duncan provides a grittier, more rhythmic counterpart, and the contrast between them keeps the long piece moving. It captures the San Francisco live sound at its most adventurous and loose. Listen for how Cipollina bends and shakes single notes until they seem to hover, then compare his section with Duncan's tighter, more driving approach.

Who Do You Love Suite by Quicksilver Messenger Service is featured in our Jam (#13), Psychedelic (#15) lists. The solo is played by John Cipollina, Gary Duncan and the song was released in 1969.

In our lists

• The 25 Greatest Jam Band Guitar Solos — #13
• The 25 Greatest Psychedelic Guitar Solos — #15
• Greatest Live Solos — #23

Sources