A BRIEF MUSICAL BIOGRAPHY
Joe Goldmark has a unique vision for the steel guitar. He started recording in 1980, and has nine
of his own albums (three vinyl, six CDs) featuring rock, pop, soul and world music played on
this "country" instrument. He's
successfully adapted many melodic and fun songs to the pleasing sound of
the pedal steel guitar, as well as writing many of his own interesting originals.
Joe has always been a music maven. Growing up in Tucson, Arizona, he played cello from the
age of nine, but also took up guitar and played in garage bands. He moved to San Francisco for
High School and started playing bass in soul bands. This was during the late 60's, and Joe was
enamored of the San Francisco Sound, and saw many of the greats, including Hendrix, Cream,
Doors, Big Brother, etc. It was while watching Jerry Garcia play with the New Riders Of The
Purple Sage, who were opening for the Grateful Dead, that Joe got bitten by the pedal steel bug.
He soon dropped out of college to play the steel guitar full time, which he pretty much did for the
next fifteen years. After getting married and having a son in the mid 80's, Joe was fortunate to
get a day job, going into the pizza business. Ten years later, he came full circle by becoming a
partner at Amoeba Music, and totally immersed in the music business. However, he never
stopped playing the pedal steel, which he describes as the only instrument that makes practicing
enjoyable, because of the pleasing sounds that the chords make, bending into each other.
Reviewers have called pedal steel guitarist Joe Goldmark "the legendary Kosher Kowboy, king of psychedelic steel,"
"the world's premier rock and roll pedal steel guitarist," and "a very talented and progressive Steel Guitar player."
Joe brings the pedal steel guitar into new musical territory playing high-energy reinterpretations of rock and soul
music, as well as writing and performing his own instrumentals.
Joe's recordings: "Seducing the 60s" (2007), "Strong
Like Bull...But Sensitive Like Squirrel" (2001),
"All Hat - No Cattle" (1999), "Steelin' the Beatles" (1997),
"All Over the Road" (1994), "Rockin' It" (1981 LP), "Vertigo" (1978 LP),
"Pickin' My Pleasures" (1977 LP), and "The Goldmark Round-Up," a reissue of his 20 favorite selections remastered from
the three LPs (1996). He also has recorded with other artists including "True Stories" with David Byrne, "Restless Rambling Heart"
with Laurie Lewis, and nine albums with "The Usual Suspects," a project including Mike Bloomfield, Taj Mahal, Peter Rowan,
Norton Buffalo, and Maria Muldaur. Besides his recording work, Joe has written and published The International Steel Guitar
and Dobro Discography -- 8th Edition. (see Joe's Recordings page)
BANDS:
-
Twangbangers 2002 - all-star band that featured Bill Kirchen, Redd Volkaert, and Dallas Wayne.
-
Dallas Wayne: 2001-2003 What a great country singer!
- Jim Campilongo & the 10 Gallon Cats 1995-2000
- The "Cats" are an all
instrumental band that play Jim's original music. Jim sounds like a mix of Jimmy Bryant
and Roy Buchanan crashing the '90's!
- Jim Lauderdale: 1994-present.
Played on "country night" at the 1994 Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland.
- Peter Rowan: 1979-present, on and off. Misc. gigs and festivals including Telluride.
- Mental Revenge: 1994-1995. Honky tonk C&W band that specialized in
'50's & 60's C&W music, with vocalist Gary Claxton.
- Ray Price Club: 1991-1994. Above band with his ex-wife Kathi, who also created and
plays in the celebrity author band, the "Rock Bottom Remainders" (with Stephen King,
Amy Tan, Dave Barry, Matt Groening, etc.).
- Osage: 1985-1990.
- Texas Chainsaw
Band: 1980-1984. Legendary local "Country music with teeth!"
- Billy C. Farlow Band (lead singer with
Commander Cody): 1977-1978
BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE:
- Lately Joe's been busy delving into his first love, soul music, and has put together a couple of sets
called "Can You Handle It," and "Why Should We Stop Now?"
- House steel guitar player for the BAMMIES when Dick Bright was the
conductor, 1978-1984
-
Writes and publishes the "International
Steel Guitar Discography", which is a
220 page book that tries to list every steel guitar instrumental ever recorded.
We have reviews of this publication.
Order the 8th Edition here.
- Avid record collector.
- Not a former member of the Grateful Dead but Joe does a great cover of
their "China Cat Sunflower" on his
"All Hat-No Cattle".
He also played a much heralded show at the Fillmore, with David Gans & the Fallen Angels that
included Phil Lesh and Vince Welnick sitting in.
- Don't you dig his version of the Quicksilver Messenger Service tune,
Edward?
- Partner at "Amoeba Music", the greatest record store in the world.
- Also partner in five New York style pizzerias in San Francisco called "Escape From
New York Pizza". They serve a good slice.
For more info email us
Sound files from both albums await in our
Catalog where you can purchase them,
or the International Steel Discography,
through our on-line shopping cart system.
We have a list of records stores known to
carry
Joe Goldmark albums
There's more info on Joe at the
"Don't Quit Your Day Job" Records site. Check steelguitarforum.com
for more pedal steel guitar related sites.
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