Nine Questions

Jesus Acedo is the critically acclaimed guitarist who founded the neo-psychedelic rock band Black Sun Ensemble in the early '80s. From the dizzying heights of glowing reviews in Rolling Stone and touring with Camper Van Beethoven to unfortunate bouts with mental illness, Acedo has been a true desert survivor. Black Sun Ensemble recently completed recording a new studio album, Across the Seas of Id: The Way to Eden, due to be released later this year.

What was the first concert you ever saw?

In 1975, I saw War at the Tucson Convention Center during the "Why Can't We Be Friends?" tour. Tower of Power was the opening act. That day, before the concert, they had a big low-rider show. The highlight was when War drove down from Phoenix in their low rider. There was a big crowd waiting to greet them!

What CDs are in your changer right now?

Jimi Hendrix, Band of Gypsys; The Rolling Stones, Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out!; Johnny Winter And, Live; Humble Pie, Performance: Rockin' the Fillmore; and Led Zeppelin, The Song Remains the Same.

How many total albums do you own (CDs, vinyl, cassettes, 8-tracks)?

10,000 CDs, 5,000 cassettes, 2,000 LPs and 100 8-tracks.

Do you download music, and if so, legally or illegally?

I, Apollo the Destroyer, do not download music. You just don't get the original artwork and liner notes that way.

What was the first album you owned?

The Rolling Stones, Made in the Shade.

What song would you like to have played at your funeral?

"My Sweet Lord" by George Harrison.

Musically speaking, what do you love that your friends don't know about? What's your favorite guilty pleasure?

I really like the bubblegum hit "Sugar, Sugar" by the Archies. I also love "Sliding Down My Rainbow and Crashing Into My Pot of Gold" (a new song written by Acedo); it makes a fun musical sound!

What band or artist changed your life and how?

I think I watched the Led Zeppelin movie The Song Remains the Same a thousand times before I was 16. I was hypnotized by it, and Jimmy Page became my favorite guitarist. Everything about him was like Uncle Ben's rice--perfect every time!

Figurative gun to your head, what is your favorite album of all time?

Peter Frampton, Frampton Comes Alive!, "Baby, I Love Your Way" and "Lines on My Face" being the favorites.