2017 STARS Hall of Fame

Craig Chaquico

Jefferson Starship/Starship
Grammy-nominated solo artist

La Sierra High School

Having just celebrated his 40th anniversary of the Jefferson Starship best-selling album, Red Octopus, Craig Chaquico has had over four decades of national success in a variety of genres, from '70s and ‘80s rock and pop to contemporary and new age jazz and blues guitar.  

Rocketing onto the music scene over 40 years ago as a teen, Craig was an original founding member of the multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated, American rock bands, Jefferson Starship and Starship, from 1973 - 1990.  He was a main hit songwriter (Jane, Find Your Way Back, Layin’ It On the Line) and the only lead guitar player on all of their hit albums, songs, tours and videos (Miracles, Runaway, With Your Love, Count On Me, Sara, Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now). He also earned Guitar Player Magazine's Reader's Poll Award for Best Pop Instrumental Guitarist.

Since that time, Craig has been a million-selling, chart-topping solo jazz artist, with his 1993 album, Acoustic Highway, and 1994’s, Acoustic Planet, which received a Grammy nomination for Best New Age album, as well as reaching #1 in Billboard Magazine and on national radio charts.

In addition, he earned a spot on Jazziz Magazine's list of Top 100 Most Influential Jazz Guitarists of All Time. His song from this album, “Just One World,” became a part of NASA’s Space Ark Project, which now permanently remains in orbit above the earth.

Craig has been on the top of the charts now throughout his career, with the most recent release of his first blues album, Fire Red Moon, which debuted at #15 on Billboard's National Blues Chart in 2012.

Now entering the fifth decade of his illustrious career, Craig Chaquico has solidified himself as a guitar legend, and whether he's performing '70s and ‘80s classic rock and pop, new age jazz or the blues, on electric or acoustic guitar, Craig's music continues to delight, move and soothe the soul!