Meet The Essentials
70s & 80s Live Event Band | Based in Sonora, CA
Bringing the High-Energy Hits to Central California
The Essentials play an electric mix of 70s, 80s, and 90s classic rock hits.
We specialize in high-energy live music for festivals, corporate parties, and private events throughout Central California.
We’ve built a setlist of the greatest songs ever written to ensure your dance floor stays packed from the first note to the last encore.
The Musicians Behind the Sound
This Could Be You!
NOW AUDITIONING
Vocals, Guitar & Keys
The Essentials are building a full powerhouse ensemble. We’ve cleared the stage to make room for a bigger, more authentic sound, and we are currently scouting for our new lineup.
The Front Line: Vocals & Guitars
We are looking for powerhouse players to front the stage—with lead and rhythm guitar duties while sharing lead and support vocal responsibilities. Our goal is a balanced, high-energy front line with great harmonies. We are currently in the audition phase with some great talent, but the right "fit" is everything.
The "Missing Link": Keyboards
To truly capture the sound of today’s hits, we are adding a keyboard player to the roster. If you can layer in those essential textures and hits that get the crowd moving, we want to meet you.
Ready to hit the stage?
We are actively auditioning now to finalize our booking calendar. If you have the professional drive and the passion to get people on their feet, hit the contact us button at the top of the page to reach out today and let's see if your sound belongs with The Essentials.
Diesel De Salles
Drums and Backing Vocals
For Diesel, music has been a lifelong obsession. After witnessing the Beatles’ legendary 1964 Ed Sullivan performance, he "got the bug" and never looked back, joining his first band at just 13 years old. As the rhythmic heartbeat of The Essentials, Diesel brings a pocket-perfect groove informed by years of playing R&B, funk, rock, and reggae. Driven by a passion for fresh, danceable material, he hand-selected this group of talented musicians to deliver a unique, high-energy style that keeps the crowd on its feet.
Jason Meigs
Bass Guitar
If the band is the engine, Jason is the high-performance fuel. A dedicated gear-head with a signature sound, Jason uses a complex array of effects to deliver the deep, infectious basslines that define 70s and 80s dance music. His transition to bass may have come later in life, but his stage presence is second to none. Whether he’s locking down a funk groove or rocking a superhero suit, Jason’s mission is to get people out of their seats and onto the dance floor.