Billy Zoom

Infobox Musical artist
Name = Billy Zoom

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Background = guitarist
Birth_name = Tyson Kindell
Born = birth date and age|1948|02|20
Savanna, Illinois, U.S.A
Origin = Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.
Instrument = guitar
Voice_type =
Genre = Rockabilly
Country rock
Folk
Punk rock
Occupation = musician, record producer
Years_active =
Label =
Associated_acts = X
URL =

Billy Zoom was born Tyson Kindell on February 20, 1948, in Savanna, Illinois. The son of a Big Band woodwinds player, he inherited his father's love of music. At a very young age, Tyson began playing a variety of instruments, including violin; accordion; piano; clarinet; tenor, alto, and baritone saxophones; flute; banjo; and guitar.

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

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, and dozens of other major recording artists.

In June 2008, in honor of his longevity in the world music community and contribution to the legacy of Gretsch guitars, Gretsch unveiled the G6129BZ Billy Zoom Custom Shop Tribute Silver Jet.

External links

* [http://www.billyzoom.com/main.html Billy Zoom Music]
* [http://www.gretschguitars.com/gear/index.php?product=G6129BZ Gretsch Billy Zoom G6129BZ SilverJet Guitar]
* [http://www.rockabillyhall.com/XYZRAB.html Rockabilly Hall of Fame: Billy Zoom]