About Us

Acapulco Gold  was founded in 1969 by Garfield High School students looking to blend soul, rhythm & blues, rock, jazz and gospel sound into something new, a truly original sound that Seattle had never before experienced. The group went on to become an iconic entity in northwest music history. The Gold was best known for its infectious original dance grooves and down-to-earth pure fun shows. Having performed throughout the Northwest and Western Canada, Acapulco Gold, which became affectionately known to its fans simply as “The Gold", achieved a rare level of fame and notoriety crossing many cultural and economic boundaries in the process. Known throughout the region for providing some of the best entertainment around “The Gold” opened for many of the top pop, soul and funk acts in the U.S. including such artists as Santana, The Ohio Players, Kool & The Gang, Ohio Players, Donny Hathaway, Earth Wind & Fire, Cold Blood, Tower of Power, Lakeside and others at major concert venues.

Acapulco Gold has reemerged on the music scene after a 30+ year hiatus and is proud to present their special blend of funk, soul and jazz-influenced horn arrangements and heavy-duty dance grooves to our fans and friends once again. Many longtime fans are excited to hear the “The Gold” is back on the scene and look forward to reconnecting with one of their all-time favorite bands. Come and get down at the Gold's next performance and enjoy yourself with the new modernized "GOLD" experience! 


Band Members:

Lead Vocalist:   

Carl Kelley


Horn Section:


Clifford Weiss - Trumpet & Flugelhorn, Vocals
Clarence Cal  - Alto, Soprano & Tenor Saxophones, Vocals

Rhythm Section:

Paul Anderson - Guitar, Vocals 
Carl Falls Bass, Vocals
Vic Kubo - Percussion 
Vincent Bembry - Drums, Vocals