SNAIL is a band formed by Bob O’Neill (Singer /Songwriter, Rhythm & Lead Guitars), Ron Fillmore (drums), and Dave Kibler (bass) in 1967 out of Santa Cruz, California. They were a Cream-style power trio. But wasn't every band back then. In 1968 Ken Kraft was brought aboard (Singer /Songwriter, Rhythm & Lead Guitars). Bob O’Neill and Ken Kraft would become the nucleus of the band sustaining SNAIL into the 80’s.
SNAIL underwent many personnel changes in bassists and drummers through-out the 70’s. most notably; Larry Hosford (bass,singer/songwriter). SNAIL played the club circuit in the San Francisco bay area till 1981. In 1978 & 1979 SNAIL released two albums (Snail and Flow respectively) worldwide with considerable success. In 2009 Renissance Records has rereleased the Snail/Flow albums together on CD. SNAIL performed on American Bandstand with their signature song “The Joker”. SNAIL was the opening act for Styx on a national tour in 1980..
In 1981 legal issues brought on by a bankrupt record label forced SNAIL to virtually retire the name.. Just a step away from that big break they deservedly earned….
It has always been a pet project of Bob O’Neill’s to revive SNAIL. In the spring of 2009 this became a reality. Bob O’Neill, Ron Fillmore along with Guido Valverde started rehearsing and by that summer SNAIL was hitting the stages again .Playing the old SNAIL hits and brand new Original Snail tunes.!!!!!!!!!!!