James Calvin Wilsey

James Calvin Wilsey (July 12, 1957 – December 24, 2018) was an American musician. He played bass with San Francisco punk band the Avengers, but became better known as the lead guitarist for Stockton crooner Chris Isaak's band Silvertone. His playing was featured on Isaak's albums Silvertone, Chris Isaak, Heart Shaped World, and San Francisco Days, and is widely remembered for his distinctive lead guitar on Isaak's top 10 hit "Wicked Game". He died from multiple organ failure related to hepatitis and drug use.[2]

James Calvin Wilsey
Born(1957-07-12)July 12, 1957[1]
Logansport, Indiana, U.S.
DiedDecember 24, 2018(2018-12-24) (aged 61)
Los Angeles, California[2]
GenresPunk rock, pop music
Occupation(s)Musician
InstrumentsGuitar
Years active1977–2018
LabelsLakeshore Records
Associated acts

Musical style

Wilsey's 1965 Fender Stratocaster and use of reverb, delay and gentle vibrato gave a distinctive sound to Isaak hits such as "Wicked Game" (the opening two-note riff, in his own words, "crystallizes Wilsey's approach") and "Blue Hotel".[3]

Dropping the moniker "Calvin", Wilsey released a solo album of guitar instrumentals in 2008, titled El Dorado, which paid homage to musical influences such as Duane Eddy, the Shadows, Billy Strange, James Burton and Link Wray.[4]

Chris Isaak Band

The Chris Isaak band played in many of the local San Francisco night clubs such as The Stone. While Chris would tell long tales about his arrival in San Francisco with a sock puppet, James would grow impatient with the long wait between songs. It could be said that their dynamic was comparable to the one between Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend, so Wilsey's eventual decision to leave the band was not a total surprise.

Selected discography

Solo
  • El Dorado (2008)

With the Avengers

With Chris Isaak

References
  1. "Happy Birthday, Jimmy Wilsey!". Telecaster Guitar Forum. Retrieved 28 December 2018.
  2. Michael Goldberg. "The 'King of Slow': Remembering Guitarist James Calvin Wilsey". Rollingstone.com. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
  3. Elliott, Steve (10 January 2015). "James Wilsey, Former Chris Isaak Guitarist". Something Else!.
  4. "James Wilsey Finds El Dorado". Punk Turns 30. 26 February 2008.
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