Meet The VI-Kings

The VI-Kings are the breeze that swept through Liverpool, Surrey and Richmond, out of the Haight, down Sunset Boulevard, up the Mississippi and along South Michigan Avenue. It blew down Beacon Street, across Washington Park and into Georgetown.”60s/early 70s Soundtrack of Your Life“. Beatles Stones, Motown, Kinks, Credence, Dylan, Eagles, Petty, Byrds, Marvin Gaye, James Brown Wilburys and on and on. There’s a reason that this wonderful music has endured through the decades. It is joyous, fresh and as relevant today as it was the day it was released.

The VI-Kings are Bob Berberich, Joe Dolan, Matthew Maury, Bill Craig, Pete Cage and Sean Chyun.

England had Ginger Baker, LA had Hal Blaine, DC has Bob Berberich. The VI-Kings drummer is the legendary percussionist who was a founding member of both The Hangmen, Grin with Nils Lofgren, and the Rosslyn Mountain Boys. Referred to often as “DC Rock Royalty”, Bob is the foundation and driving force behind The VI-Kings sound.

Joe Dolan, formerly the front man for DC’s popular psychedelic punk recording band the Beatnik Flies, Joe is the VI-Kings resident rocker, performing both lead and harmony vocals, rhythm guitar, harmonica and a varied collection of percussion instruments.

Matthew Maury was the bass player for Friends of the Family in the 70s and led Center Stage through 80s and ‘90s. Both were renown DC show groups. Matt is the ‘Kings musical director and leader, bass player sings both lead and harmony vocals and weaves in the stories and cultural context that makes The VI-Kings repertoire special.

Guitarist/vocalist Bill Craig is a 40 year veteran of the DC music scene. He was a founding member of The Razz, considered by many the greatest rock and roll band the DC area ever produced. He is a regular contributor to the popular Bandhouse Gigs concert series as well.

The band affectionately refers to guitarist Pete Cage as “The Professor. “ He’s an exquisitely precise musician . Pete is an advanced student of the singular instrument that defined the mid-60s sound. He owns the real McCoy, a 12-string Rickenbacker guitar, the guitar that transformed the Beatles sound into Ticket to Ride, You can’t Do That, and dozens of others. It’s the sound of Mr. Tambourine Man by The Byrds.

Sean Chyun is The VI-Kings lead singer. An extraordinary talent and a musical “old soul” at the age of 39,Sean loves the music of the ‘60s and ‘70s and sports both a Beatles and Tom Petty tattoo to prove it! Sean is a multi-talented performer, playing both guitar and piano as well.

Former members of The VI-Kings include:

Annie Sidley 2017-2021.  Annie is “The Voice”, widely considered one of the more remarkable singers you’ll ever find. Annie and her original music band “The Sidleys” have released four acclaimed albums over the years.

Stock Wilson 2010-2019.  Stock, a founding member of the band, resigned his position in 2019 to focus on his health and pursue other musical interests.  His guitar playing and lead vocals were signature staples of
the ‘Kings sound for almost a decade.

Bill Euler (2010-2014), a superb guitarist with a specialty on acoustic guitar. Bill passed in early 2014.

Rob Fisher (2012-2016) performed on drums for The VI-Kings for many years during the period in which The VI-Kings moved up to gigs such as Bethesda Blues and Jazz.  “DC’s Ringo”, Robbie was formerly with Midnight Shift.

Carol Gaylor (2015-2016), our first and original “songbird”, with one of the most dynamic and versatile voices in the DC area. Carol comes back for an occasional guest appearance from time to time, she’s a joy!