Max Q

Max Q is a Houston-based informal rock band whose members are all astronauts. It was formed in early 1987 by Brewster Shaw and Robert L. Gibson, recruiting George Nelson. Gibson has stated that he came up with the name "Max Q" (though recognizes that Shaw has also claimed having come up with the name himself) as a reference to the engineering term for the maximum dynamic pressure from the atmosphere experienced by an ascending spacecraft. He joked in a 2018 interview that, like a Space Shuttle, the band "makes lots of noise but no music". Max Q does not sell albums or have a manager, instead performing on a case-by-case scheduled basis. Band members share the arrangement of transport, venue and payment. The band utilises a rotating line-up due to flight crew assignments, training, and the occasional retirement. In 2009, active members included:

Ricky Arnold – rhythm guitar Dan Burbank – lead vocals and guitar Tracy "TC" Caldwell Dyson – lead vocals Ken "Taco" Cockrell – keyboards and background vocals Chris Ferguson – drums Drew Feustel – lead vocals and lead guitar Kevin A. Ford – drums Chris A. Hadfield – lead vocals and bass guitar Greg "Box" Johnson – keyboards and background vocals Dottie Metcalf-Lindenburger – lead vocals Steve "Stevie Ray" Robinson – lead guitar Former members include:

Carl Walz – lead vocals Susan Helms – lead vocals and keyboards (after Hawley left) Kevin "Chili" Chilton – lead vocals and guitar (after Shaw left) Pierre Thuot – bass guitar (after Nelson left) Steven A. Hawley - keyboards (the original keyboard player) With the original members having been:

Jim Wetherbee – drums George "Pinky" Nelson – bass guitar Robert "Hoot" Gibson – lead vocals and lead guitar Brewster Shaw – rhythm guitar[edit]