MUSIC fans are in for a rare treat on the evening of Sunday July 25 when Californian rock guitarist Barry Melton appears at Launceston?s White Horse Inn.
Melton was a founder member of the famous 1960s band Country Joe and The Fish, who played at the legendary Monterey and Woodstock rock festivals.
His forthcoming UK tour includes Liverpool?s famous Cavern and the 12 Bar Club in London and he will will lead a band of well known, young and brilliant musicians performing a repertoire rooted in tradition yet boldly exploring new territory.
After gaining international fame at Woodstock in 1969 with his partner Country Joe; Melton has continued through the years to make music with veteran 60s musicians, including Peter Albin and David Getz of Big Brother and the Holding Company and Janis Joplin fame in the Dinosaurs that also featured John Cipolina and Greg Elmore (Quicksilver Messenger Service), Papa John Creech (Hot Tuna and the Jefferson Starship), Spencer Dryden (Jefferson Airplane and New Riders of the Purple Sage), Robert Hunter (Grateful Dead lyricist) and the legendary organist Merl Saunders.
The list of Melton?s musical accomplishments over the years is staggering and can be read on his website http://www.counterculture.net/thefish/">http://www.counterculture.net/thefish/
Most musicians would be satisfied having accomplished half of what Melton has, but there is another Barry Melton that has attacked injustice and defended the defenceless since he was admitted to the California Bar in 1982.
In addition to performing almost 100 dates a year and continuously turning out well received recordings, Melton has been the defence counsel in well publicised death penalty cases and spends most of his daytime hours as Yolo County?s Public Defender, between San Francisco and Sacramento, California.
After being admitted to practise law Melton has also found time to run for the office of Judge of San Francisco?s Municipal Court.
Musically, Melton says he is not interested in resurrecting the past: ?The guys I?m playing with aren?t afraid of exploring new territory and neither am I.
?Music that doesn?t challenge assumptions and move things forward isn?t worth making. The greatest joy of playing music, or listening to it, is the undertaking of an exciting journey that leads to a thrilling discovery. That?s what I aim for every time I pick up my guitar.?
At the White Horse Inn, local guitarist Graham Sleeman will be making a guest appearance with Melton?s Band while proceedings will be kicked-off by Launceston excellent blues and R&B outfit the Back Door Men.
Doors open at 8pm.