Kalamazoo is written around the remarkable story of the women who worked at Gibson Guitars during the Second World War, producing the now celebrated and highly valued ‘banner guitars’. This was a secret kept by Gibson who then denied it ever happened. We might never have known about this incredible piece of musical history had it not been for the author, John Thomas, finding a photograph of the women, tracing it’s origins and writing a book about it. Thanks to John Leonard for the book that inspired us to write the song. Chris While and Julie Matthews.