Barry Melton
b. 1947, Brooklyn, New York, USA. This superb, fluid electric guitarist began his career in the Instant Action Jug Band, a politically-inspired unit from Berkeley, California, USA. The group subsequently evolved into Country Joe And The Fish with whom Melton remained until their demise in 1970. His first solo album, BRIGHT SUN IS SHINING, was recorded soon afterwards, but this soul-based selection was viewed as disappointing in the light of the artist's acid-rock credentials. In 1972, the guitarist joined forces with Jay Levy (keyboards), Rick Dey (bass; the composer of Just Like Me for Paul Revere And The Raiders) and Tony Dey (drums) in Melton Levy And The Day Brothers. The group completed a low-key album before Barry left to form a new unit with Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter. This pattern of short-lived associations continued over the years, during which time Melton would record a further five albums, each of intermittent interest, yet without fully harnessing his obvious talent. He rejoined Country Joe McDonald on several occasions and, despite embarking on a new career as a lawyer, maintains a voracious appetite for live appearances. Since 1982, Melton has also been a cornerstone in the Dinosaurs, the definitive, if irregular, Bay Area ‘supergroup’.