Copperhead is an American rock and roll group founded by guitarist John Cipollina after leaving the band Quicksilver Messenger Service in 1970.
Copperhead originally consisted of Cipollina on lead guitar, Gary Phillips on vocals and second guitar and organ, Jim McPherson on vocals, piano and bass, Pete Sears on piano and bass, and David Weber on drums.
The band was originally signed to the Just Sunshine record label run by Michael Lang, one of the organisers of Woodstock.but in 1972 they moved to Columbia Records. In between times, Sears left to fly back to England and record with Rod Stewart and play in a band with Nicky Hopkins. He was replaced by bassist Hutch Hutchinson.
Their debut album, Copperhead, was released in 1973 but went nowhere. Columbia refused to release their second album and Copperhead disbanded. Cipollina went on to play in many different bands before dying in 1989.
Tracks
Roller Derby Star, Kibitzer, A Little Hand, Kamikaze, Spin-Spin, Pawnshop Man, Wing-Dang-Doo, They're Making a Monster, Chameleon