Mona (1969) - Quicksilver Messenger Service

Quicksilver Messenger Service - Full Concert - 08/15/69 - Sonoma State College

Sonoma hills in the background, where Betty Smith lived.

This video is from Sonoma State College in April 1970. This was a free concert for the college students and local community. A well-recorded video/ audio for it's time. What was truly amazing was guest artist, Nicki Hopkins, playing a grand piano somewhere in the background. I was there with my friends, dancing in the fresh spring air. What a different world it was! So glad that this showed up on YouTube.

You posted this 12 years ago...great anecdote! You're mentioning the dancing struck a chord. I love to dance, and am always smh at all the people too afraid, intimidated, whatever, to get out there and shake it. I go to concerts, band is great, vibe is great like this one here at Sonoma, and all the zombies just sit around, eat their junk food, drink their beer, basically too numb to feel anything. Sometimes I'm the only one out there, which is tough to do occasionally, but damned if I'm going to be controlled by the mass fear. And sometimes it pays off---rarely, but sometimes, as others get inspired to join me, especially the kids (teens and twentysomethings...I'm 73...lol!).

This was out behind Sonoma State (College at the time) in front of the pond, a freebie unannounced noon concert. We thought we were getting the best education possible

This the best live version of anything I've ever heard or seen. It's clear, pretty much true to the song, not a lot of crappy "improve", great sound and video. Performed by real musicians, not record company monkeys whose careers were run by bean counters. This live performance beats the holy hell out of Cream, the Stones, Hendrix and the Dead. The guitar work is stupendous, but alas, such talent has been scattered to the winds of time. Thanks for this posting.

Nothing better than a QMS gigs. Takes be back to 1966 & going to the city every weekend to see the Quicksilver Messenger Service through 1970. They were the king of the jam bands. The dueling lead guitar work between John Cipollina & Gary Duncan were phenomenal. The band was so tight.

This is absolutely wonderful, and somewhat miraculous, for the age, considering camera and sound equipment in 1969. Truly a great clip. QMS were the best. Tragic, they were separated in their prime by the repressive marijuana laws of the day.

The pot bust got rid of Dino Valente. Nothing but good. I agree. Absolutely - he fucked up a really great band. First, Dino Valenti left the group to serve an 18-month drug-related prison sentence.

The 2 best guitarists of their time: Gary Duncan & John Cipolinna! Thanks for sharing.

Does it get any better than this?! Man, I got heavy into this band in '68, and I'm still into them. Sorry to hear of the passing of Gary Duncan--we were the same age.

Never get tired of seeing the best jam band of 60s San Francisco Sound. I saw them every weekend from 1966 till late 1968. Still saw them in the 70s, but they weren't playing the city every weekend like the old days.

In honor of my sister Katy s passing, I thank the band, and the posting of thus great video. Her favorite band, and Cippolina her guy. Thanks, Katy, for turning me onto all the bands you heard in person. What a hotbed of rock music, the Bay Area was from '65 on. Grateful, mournfully. John Cippollina (1943–1989)

What a great sound! Really moving post. Two fantastic sides to this band. No better outdoor jam, and then Shady Grove. I feel lucky to have heard this when I was young. It became a permanent part of me. Just got a copy of Shady Grove today, which got me to searching here. If you haven't been back to that album in ages (20 years for me), you've got to hear tracks 1,2,4 and 8. Thanks, Aurora!

I’m wishing Gary Duncan, had a house built right next to me Whew!! He’s such a handsome man, love his voice and guitar slinging skills. What’s weird is the outfit he’s wearing looks like it could have come out of my closet, back then, too. Love the fashions we had, a great time to grow up

I saw them do this and Who Do You Love at the Fillmore East in 1969. There was never anything like it. Happy Trails is arguably the greatest rock and roll record ever.