Jake Kiszka is an American guitarist best known as a founding member of the rock band Greta Van Fleet. Born on April 23, 1996, in Frankenmuth, Michigan, he has served as the group’s guitarist since its formation in 2012. He is 30 years old as of June 2026.
Within Greta Van Fleet, Kiszka is responsible for much of the band’s lead and rhythm guitar work. His career has developed alongside his brothers Josh Kiszka and Sam Kiszka, who perform as the group’s vocalist and bassist, respectively. Drummer Daniel Wagner completes the established lineup.
Kiszka is also closely associated with a vintage 1961 Gibson Les Paul SG. The instrument has become a recognizable part of his recordings and live performances.
Also Read: Zoey Ava Biography: Age, Instagram Career, and Social Media Fame
Profile Summary
| Profile field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Jacob Thomas Kiszka |
| Known as | Jake Kiszka |
| Profession | Guitarist |
| Date of birth | April 23, 1996 |
| Age | 30 years old as of June 2026 |
| Birthplace | Frankenmuth, Michigan, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Music group | Greta Van Fleet |
| Role in the band | Guitarist and founding member |
| Active with Greta Van Fleet | Since 2012 |
| Siblings | Josh Kiszka, Sam Kiszka, and Veronica Kiszka |
| Notable instrument | 1961 Gibson Les Paul SG |
Early Life and Background
Jake Kiszka was born and raised in Frankenmuth, a city in Michigan where Greta Van Fleet was later formed. His brothers Josh and Sam also pursued music and became members of the same band.
Josh Kiszka took the role of lead vocalist, while Sam Kiszka became the bassist and keyboardist. Jake established himself as the group’s guitarist. Their sister, Veronica Kiszka, has remained outside the band’s public lineup.
Verified information about Jake Kiszka’s formal education and other private aspects of his childhood is limited. His documented public biography is primarily connected to his development as a guitarist and his work with Greta Van Fleet.
The band was formed in Frankenmuth in 2012. Its early career was built through live performances and the gradual development of original material before the group reached a wider audience later in the decade.
Career and Professional Journey
Formation of Greta Van Fleet
Jake Kiszka helped establish Greta Van Fleet with Josh Kiszka and Sam Kiszka. Daniel Wagner later became the band’s drummer and a central member of its recording and touring lineup.
As the guitarist, Jake contributes electric and acoustic guitar parts to the group’s songs. His work includes riffs, solos, chord arrangements and supporting textures designed to complement Josh’s vocals and the rhythm section.
The band’s music is commonly classified within hard rock and blues-influenced rock. However, its albums have also incorporated acoustic passages, progressive arrangements and other elements associated with traditional album-oriented rock.
Breakthrough with “Highway Tune”
Greta Van Fleet gained national attention in 2017 with the release of the EP Black Smoke Rising. The project included “Highway Tune,” which reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Songs chart in September 2017.
The success of the song introduced Kiszka’s guitar work to a larger audience. “Safari Song,” another early Greta Van Fleet track, also reached the top of the Mainstream Rock chart.
Later in 2017, the band released From the Fires. The double EP combined the four tracks from Black Smoke Rising with additional recordings and became an important release in the group’s early career.
Studio Albums
Greta Van Fleet released its first full-length studio album, Anthem of the Peaceful Army, in October 2018. The album included tracks such as “When the Curtain Falls,” “You’re the One” and “Age of Man.”
Anthem of the Peaceful Army debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 and reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Rock Albums chart. Its commercial performance established the band as a significant album act rather than a group associated with only its early singles.
The band’s second studio album, The Battle at Garden’s Gate, arrived in April 2021. Produced by Greg Kurstin, the record featured “My Way, Soon,” “Heat Above,” “Age of Machine” and “Light My Love.”
The album debuted within the top 10 of the Billboard 200 and reached No. 1 on the Top Rock Albums chart. Its longer compositions and expanded arrangements gave Kiszka a broader setting for layered guitar parts and extended instrumental passages.
Greta Van Fleet released its third studio album, Starcatcher, in July 2023. Produced by Dave Cobb and recorded principally at RCA Studio A in Nashville, it included the singles “Meeting the Master” and “The Falling Sky.”
Starcatcher debuted at No. 8 on the Billboard 200. It also became the band’s third No. 1 release on Billboard’s Top Rock and Alternative Albums chart.
Guitar Style and the 1961 SG
Kiszka’s role combines lead and rhythm guitar rather than treating the two as entirely separate functions. His recorded work includes riff-based sections, melodic solos, acoustic accompaniment and layered electric-guitar arrangements.
One of the instruments most closely identified with him is a 1961 Gibson Les Paul SG. The guitar dates from the period when Gibson’s double-cutaway design still carried the Les Paul name.
Kiszka has referred to the instrument as “The Beloved.” It has been used across Greta Van Fleet recordings and tours and later served as the basis for a Gibson Jake Kiszka SG signature model.
Although the vintage SG is an important part of his public image, Kiszka has used other guitars and equipment depending on the requirements of individual songs and performances.
Also Read: Chris Tyrrell Biography: Age, Drumming Career, Wife Hillary Scott, and Children
Major Achievements and Recognition
Jake Kiszka’s most prominent achievements have been earned collectively with Greta Van Fleet.
The band received the Grammy Award for Best Rock Album for From the Fires at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards in 2019. Greta Van Fleet was also nominated in categories including Best New Artist and Best Rock Performance, while “Black Smoke Rising” received recognition in the Best Rock Song category.
In 2024, Starcatcher received a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Album. The nomination demonstrated the band’s continued presence within the Recording Academy’s rock categories several years after its first win.
Greta Van Fleet has also achieved consistent results on the Billboard charts. “Highway Tune,” “Safari Song,” “When the Curtain Falls” and “My Way, Soon” all reached No. 1 on the Mainstream Rock chart.
The band’s three full-length studio albums released between 2018 and 2023 each entered the top 10 of the Billboard 200. These results reflect the group’s sustained commercial reach across multiple album cycles.
Kiszka’s association with an official Gibson signature model represents another notable professional milestone. Signature instruments are designed in collaboration with individual musicians and are generally based on equipment closely connected to their recorded or live work.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Jake Kiszka?
Jake Kiszka is 30 years old as of June 2026. He was born on April 23, 1996, in Frankenmuth, Michigan.
What does Jake Kiszka do in Greta Van Fleet?
Jake Kiszka is the guitarist and a founding member of Greta Van Fleet. He contributes lead guitar, rhythm guitar and acoustic parts to the band’s studio recordings and live performances.
Who are Jake Kiszka’s siblings?
Jake Kiszka’s siblings are Josh Kiszka, Sam Kiszka and Veronica Kiszka. Josh is Greta Van Fleet’s lead vocalist, while Sam performs on bass guitar and keyboards.
What guitar does Jake Kiszka play?
Kiszka is particularly associated with a vintage 1961 Gibson Les Paul SG known as “The Beloved.” Gibson later produced a Jake Kiszka SG signature model based on the instrument.
Has Jake Kiszka won a Grammy Award?
Kiszka is a member of the Grammy-winning band Greta Van Fleet. The group’s release From the Fires won Best Rock Album at the 2019 Grammy Awards. Its 2023 album, Starcatcher, later received a nomination in the same category.
Conclusion
Jake Kiszka is an American guitarist whose professional career is closely connected to Greta Van Fleet. Born in Frankenmuth, Michigan, in 1996, he helped form the band in 2012 with members of his family.
As Greta Van Fleet’s guitarist, Kiszka has contributed to the EPs Black Smoke Rising and From the Fires, as well as the studio albums Anthem of the Peaceful Army, The Battle at Garden’s Gate and Starcatcher.
His verified career achievements include a Grammy Award earned with Greta Van Fleet, several successful rock singles, three top-10 Billboard 200 albums and the development of a Gibson signature guitar based on his 1961 SG. These accomplishments define his public profile without requiring speculation about his private life.
