About Bob O’Neill

Bob O’Neill first heard an acoustic guitar at the age of 12. It was a 1910 Gibson guitar. My grandmother was playing it in the kitchen when I walked by, I was mesmerized and I have been playing guitar ever since… I still have her guitar, says O’Neill.

O’Neill created his first band a couple of years later with his friend David Kibler, guitarist. He moved to Santa Cruz in 1964.

He was to attend Soquel High School and there met drummer, Ron Fillmore. David Kibler, Ron Fillmore and Bob O’Neill were the members of the original band named, SNAIL in 1967. During this time O’Neill was actively songwriting as well as played shows throughout the next two years. By 1969 O’Neill had penned over a dozen original songs. In 1969, Ken Kraft, singer & guitarist joined SNAIL.

It would be 10 years of shows in and around Northern California. During this time they had many famous artists of the time join them on stage. Lindsey Buckingham singer, songwriter, guitarist, producer of Fleetwood Mac and Bob Aguirre, drummer for the band Fritz. Aguirre continued to play with SNAIL as their drummer from 1975-77. Carlos Santana did a guest appearance with SNAIL at The Catalyst, in the mid 1970’s. Tiran Porter of The Doobie Brothers was the bassist for SNAIL during the Benefit for The Catalyst film, at The Catalyst in 1996. SNAIL opened for Freddie King at the San Jose club, The Bodega. O’Neill later joined King on stage at Margaritaville in Santa Cruz.