Billy Zoom

Billy Zoom (born Stuart Tyson Kindell; February 20, 1948) is an American guitarist, best known as one of the founders of the punk rock band X.

Billy Zoom
Background information
Birth nameStuart Tyson Kindell
Born (1948-02-20) February 20, 1948
Savanna, Illinois, U.S.A
OriginLos Angeles, California, U.S.A.
GenresRockabilly
Country rock
Folk
Punk rock
Occupation(s)musician, record producer
InstrumentsGuitar, Banjo, Flute, Clarinet, Violin, Saxophone
Associated actsX
Websitewww.billyzoom.com

He is an Orange, CA, resident and owns the Billy Zoom Custom Shop near Old Towne Orange, specializing in guitar amplifiers and similar gear.

At 68 years old, Zoom was diagnosed in 2015 with an aggressive form of bladder cancer and began immediate treatment.[1] He has since stated that he is "cancer-free" but will continue receiving chemotherapy treatments.[2]

Early life

The son of a big band woodwinds player, Kindell began playing a variety of instruments, including violin, accordion, piano, clarinet, tenor, alto, and baritone saxophones, flute, banjo, and guitar.[3]

Upon moving to Los Angeles in the 1960s, he worked as a session guitarist while attending technical school for training in electronics repair. He has an insider's reputation as an expert in the maintenance, restoration, and modification of vintage tube amplifiers and combo organs. He has performed custom technical work on the amps for a host of electric guitarists and bassists.[3]

Career
Billy Zoom (center) performing with the band X in 2004

After submitting a string of demos to every record label he could find under his name Ty Kindell, he chose his stage name to get attention from executives who may have already rejected him.[4]

Although best known as guitarist and founding member of punk rock band X, Zoom has also worked with rockabilly legend Gene Vincent, The Blasters, Etta James, Big Joe Turner, Mike Ness, and dozens of other major recording artists. On stage, he is known for his wide-legged stance, big grin and tendency to make eye contact with audience members. He adopted this presence in reaction to many guitarists whose body histrionics and facial expressions gave the impression that they were playing very difficult parts on their instruments. Zoom wanted to make everything look easy.[5]

In June 2008, in honor of his contributions to both the world music community and the legacy of Gretsch guitars, Gretsch unveiled the G6129BZ Billy Zoom Custom Shop Tribute Silver Jet.[3]

gollark: This is fine.
gollark: This is hilariously dodecahedral.
gollark: That was sooner than I thought.
gollark: Wow. Huh.
gollark: Wait, is it ACTUALLY negative?

References
  1. "X guitarist Billy Zoom diagnosed with bladder cancer". Ocregister.com. 2015-07-09. Retrieved 2019-01-17.
  2. Childers, Chad. "X's Billy Zoom Cancer Free, Hopes to Return for Shows". Loudwire.com. Retrieved 2019-01-17.
  3. "Billy Zoom Interview". RocknRollDating.com. Archived from the original on 2010-01-03.
  4. Selmon, Craig S. (July 1, 2020). "More Fun in the New Normal: X's Guitarist Still Enjoys Making Music". Worcester Magazine. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  5. "Billy Zoom". Rockabilly Hall of Fame.
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