One of San Francisco's original psychedelic bands of the late 1960s. Essentially a jam band, their early albums and live shows contributed to some of the best instrumental jams of the period. They were popular around the Bay Area but did not reach the national popularity achieved by their San Francisco contemporaries - Jefferson Airplane, Grateful Dead and others.

It is generally accepted that the band was originally conceived as a rock vehicle for folk singer/songwriter Dino Valente, although the next day Valente was arrested for possession of marijuana and spent the better part of the next two years in jail. The original band members were John Cipollina (guitar), Gary Duncan (guitar, vocals), David Freiberg (bass guitar, vocals, viola), Greg Elmore (drums) and Jim Murray (vocals, guitar, harmonica), although Murray left before the band recorded.

The band also added Skip Spence on guitar and began to rehearse at Marty Balin's club, the Matrix. Balin, in search of a drummer for the band he was organising, soon to be called Jefferson Airplane, convinced Spence to switch instruments and groups. To make up for his theft of Spence, Balin suggested that they contact Elmore and Duncan, who had played together in a group called the Brogues.

The band debuted at the end of 1965 and played around the Bay Area and then the West Coast for the next two years, building up a large following but resisting offers to record until they finally signed to Capitol Records in 1967.

They recorded their self-titled debut album in 1968, followed by Happy Trails which was recorded live in 1969. These two albums define a classic period in Quicksilver's career and are most strongly associated with their unique sound, emphasising extended arrangements. Cipollina's highly melodic, individualistic lead guitar style combined with Duncan's driving guitar work showcased a jazzy rock style unparalleled in its day.

After the release of Happy Trails, Duncan left the band and was replaced for Shady Grove (1970) by British session pianist Nicky Hopkins. By the time of its release, however, Duncan had returned, along with Valente, making the group a sextet.

This version of Quicksilver, prominently featuring Valente's songs and lead vocals, lasted only a year, during which two albums, Just for Love and What About Me, were recorded.

Cipollina, Freiberg and Hopkins then left, and the remaining trio of Valente, Duncan and Elmore hired replacements and cut another couple of albums before disbanding. There was a reunion in 1975, resulting in a new album and a tour, and in 1986 Duncan revived the Quicksilver name for an album that also featured Freiberg on background vocals.