Quicksilver Messenger Service was formed in 1965 in San Francisco, California,
by guitarist John Cipollina, guitarist and vocalist Gary Duncan, drummer Greg
Elmore, bassist and vocalist David Freiberg, and later joined by keyboardist
Nicky Hopkins and vocalist Dino Valenti; the band originated from the local
psychedelic scene and began performing at venues such as the Avalon Ballroom and
the Fillmore West, gaining recognition for their extended improvisations and
intricate twin‑guitar interplay. Their debut studio album Quicksilver Messenger
Service was released in 1968 on Capito...