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The same person inspires guitarist Steve Kimock and keyboard player Bernie Worrell — and it's not the person you might expect.
Both musicians, in separate interviews, said they were fans of former NFL wide-receiver Jerry Rice, the all-time statistical leader in receptions, touchdown receptions, and yards.
"How could you not be inspired by Jerry Rice?" asked Kimock, who is obviously inspired by excellence in any form which explains why his band, which performs in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, is full of all stars including:
• Andy Hess, the bassist best known for his work in Gov't Mule and the Black Crowes;
• Wally Ingram, drummer with Timbuk 3 and a comrade of former Salt Lake singer-songwriter Jerry Joseph of Stockholm Syndrome; and
• Worrell, a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, who helped start Parliament-Funkadelic and who worked with Talking Heads.
Kimock's pedigree is what attracts such talent. In addition to playing with Joseph in Little Women, the 57-year-old guitarist is well-known to Deadheads for being in numerous groups including Bob Weir's Kingfish and Ratdog, Phil Lesh and Friends, The Other Ones and the Rhythm Devils with Grateful Dead drummers Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart.
The late Jerry Garcia once called Kimock his favorite guitarist.
After living in the Bay Area for many years, Kimock moved to eastern Pennsylvania. He created his new band when his son John Morgan Kimock, also a guitarist, said he had been jamming with Worrell, who lives in New Jersey just across the Delaware River. Kimock joined him, and like most players who come into contact with Worrell, found their music had chemistry. He asked Worrell to form a band with him.
"This is comfortable [and] enlightening. Steve inspires me," said Worrell, adding that it was actually God told him to join Kimock on this venture. "There's a higher power that decided where I'm supposed to be ... I thank God for the work."
Both musicians have had long relationships with Hess and Ingram, so they were asked to join the band, too. Tuesday's concert at the State Room will be an rare opportunity to watch and hear some of the finest musicians jam in one room.
As for football, Worrell said he is a die-hard fan of the Giants, the Jets, the Eagles, the 49ers and Green Bay.
Kimock said Jerry Rice reminds him of the 1980s and 1990s, when he was jamming with Garcia and members of the Grateful Dead and creating some of the best musical memories of his life. Many of the people he once played with have died, he said, making memories of watching Jim Montana "shred" other teams with his friends unforgettable.
And even though Kimock has moved away from the Bay Area, he doesn't have to go far to get a football fix. Every summer, the Eagles hold their training camp near his house.
Twitter: @davidburger —
They've got the funk
The Steve Kimock Band performs. The group includes legendary musicians Bernie Worrell, Andy Hess, and Wally Ingram
When • Tuesday, Oct. 16, 8 p.m.
Where • The State Room, 638 S. State St.
Tickets • $25 at thestateroom.com