Chuck Carpenter Biography

Chuck Carpenter is acknowledged as one of the founding musicians that helped Gary Moore form the first GMB.  In a career that dates back to the 1960s, there are few musical styles that he has not performed.  His musical hand has graced the line-ups as opening act to several notable rock bands, including Long John Baldry, Sweathog, Atomic Rooster, Skid Row, circa 1970.  STYX, circa 1976.  

          Chuck was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Dec 9th 1950. Like many others, he was turned on to rock and roll first through hearing Eric Clapton of Cream, Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top and seeing the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Jethro Tull, and Santana in his hometown in the mid-70s opened up to him the rich world of Rock Music. 

             Chuck first remembers seeing Gary when he opened the show for the power trio Skid Row, in 1970.  Gary had moved to the front of the stage to hear and see Chuck's performance. Later Chuck found him on the same stage performing, never imagining that soon they would be friends who would be playing tight melodic harmonies to fans all over England, Ireland, Scotland, and Germany.  Chuck was asked to tour with Skid Row as Sound Technician and temporary Tour Manager as Brush had fired the crew in Los Angeles.  A role he performed with Skid Row until Gary picked him as his first choice for Guitarist with the first GMB. While working together they would play guitars in the hotels, developing a bond that would last for years.  Before the CBS deal was signed, Gary and Chuck would jam on The Allman Brothers "Memory of Elizabeth Reed" and Mountain amongst others, finally leaving Skid Row to embark on a career together. Chuck was actually the person who got the GMB into their first studio recordings through a chance meeting with Richard Manwaring who engineered at the Studio where the Who did the Tommy album. This proved short-lived, as Chuck found himself tagged an "illegal alien" after being unable to obtain a Work Permit, just as did Bob Welch of Fleetwood Mac.  Gary was soon to reunite with Philip Lynott as replacement for Eric Bell in the Thin Lizzy line-up. Although he was in the band for a relatively brief tenure, he would rejoin their ranks following the departure of Brian Robertson in 1977, and again, finally, for the 'Black Rose' tour in 1978. In 1979, Gary's solo career began in earnest again.  Chuck had been forced to return to the U.S. 

with just the cloths on his back. Gary keeping his Black Les Paul Custom and Marshall stack for himself. Attempts to have his equipment returned were not honored.  Subsequent requests for his equipment were similarly received. The late 1970s and early 80s were difficult at best as he began a restless search for the best musical equipment for himself while "others" profited from keeping his. A reunion with Gary in the early 80's produced the same response. He was unbelievably suspect when a dozen guitars were stolen from Gary's apartment in West Hollywood, Ca.  Something to which he had no part then or ever. Chuck was appalled to hear about Gary being cut severely in a fight in a pub, from which Gary still wears the scars. In a similar event Gary and Chuck, found themselves mixing it up in the local "Wimpy Bar" in Dublin with a couple of taxi drivers! Fighting over women and Wimpy Burgers. "If the boys want to fight, you better let 'em, " by Phil Lynnott comes to mind.  During this time Gary did recommend Chuck for an Audition with Ozzy Osborne, who subsequently chose the late Guitar legend Randy Rhodes. Also giving him a special thanks for help on the G-Force Album. 

 Chuck spent the late 80's playing and recording in the Los Angeles area with Michael Lewis and Lauren Rinder of RINLEW productions, Michael Kenney, Iron Maiden, and Cyndi Wood PMOY.  

 During the 90's, while "Teching" in Los Angeles on everyone's equipment from Peter Frampton, Eddie Van Halen, Fleetwood Mac, and even Stevie Wonder's beautiful KX-88, Chuck, like Stevie Fryette (VHT AMP'S) started 'Tric Pick Industries. Introducing the world to the first ever "Illuminating Guitar Pick".  Calling it the 'Tric Pick, short for Elec'Tric Guitar Pick.  Having been on many blacked out stages, temporarily blinded from 10K lighting blitzes, he sought and found a way to see in the palm of his hand. This same solution was used by Billy Gibbons of ZZ TOP, in the video "Breakaway", from the Antennae album and a french reviewer deemed it "etonnant!".  French for astonishing. 

   Today, Chuck has rejoined forces with former Bassist/Vocalist Tom "Steele" Montanez  known for his Bluesy R&B style vocals, and solid bass lines, Skip Bigston, former Boxtops Guitarist/Vocalist, and a soon to be announced drummer. Having worked previously with Frankie Banalli of Quiet Riot, anyone less would not be acceptable. 

‘Duel in the Desert’

Track Listing:
 1. Adelitas
 2. Brokenglass.wav
 3. cheaper2beeper.wav
 4. LONGTIME.wav
 5. Nite At The Wimpy Bar
 6. WHAMMYBAR
 7. Black Diamond
 8. Grindin' On My Baby
 9. We Had A Dream
10. Sunset

Guest Artist/Stan Nelson

bounce CD/fool4you w chuckie love.wav

(Mojave Studios SST1)

Release Date:

U.S.A., UK & Europe: Nov. 1st, 2008