Jay Allen Sanford

California, Georgia

Columnist San Diego Reader, cartoonist (Overheard in San Diego, Famous Former Neighbors, etc) @sdreader, author, co-creator Rock 'N' Roll Comics & Carnal Comics

Featured in: Favicon

sandiegoreader.com

Articles

Live Five: Clikitat Ikatowi, Mark Hoppus, Whitney Shay, Superunloader, Stacy Antonel & the Sea Horses

1 week ago | sandiegoreader.com | Jay Allen Sanford

Clikitat Ikatowi at the CasbahApril 17Post-hardcore/emo math rockers Clikatat Ikatowi featured drummer Mario Rubalcaba (Rocket from the Crypt, the Black Heart Procession, Hot Snakes, the Sultans, Earthless). Active in the early to mid-1990s, the band released a demo tape, a full-length album, an EP, and a live album before splitting.
Pop goes San Diego, April 10-13, 2025

2 weeks ago | sandiegoreader.com | Jay Allen Sanford

Felix Cartal and Avi SnowUpcoming EventFelix Cartal and Avi SnowMusic Box, 1337 India Street, San DiegoAge Limit: 18+Canadian DJ and electronic dance music producer Felix Cartal made his recorded debut in 2009, going on to make his mark in the EDM field with offbeat and unexpected collaborations.
Jemille Vialet, Swami John Reis & the Bed of Nails, Gabriele Dagrezio, Matt Heinecke, Ben Benavente

2 weeks ago | sandiegoreader.com | Jay Allen Sanford

Live Five, April 10-13, 2025 Jemille Vialet at University Club Atop Symphony TowersApril 10Originally based in the Virgin Islands before relocating to San Diego, singer-pianist Jemille Vialet specializes in lounge and beach vibe music, with a variety show repertoire that covers everything from pop and top 40 to R&B, reggae, and soul. He’s become a regular presence at local restaurants, resorts, weddings, and corporate events.
The day Ritchie Valens came to town

2 weeks ago | sandiegoreader.com | Jay Allen Sanford

September 1958: Rock and roll originator Ritchie Valens had two hits on the charts, "La Bamba" and "Donna," when a longtime local DJ, the late Harry "Happy Hare" Martin, persuaded him to perform at the 1958 opening of Clairemont High School. "It's the first time they ever opened a school and almost tore it down, all in the same day," Hare told reporters at the time. “The Principal called and asked me to do something for the new kids,” Martin told me in a March 2008 interview.
Pop goes San Diego: Starship and Rubblebucket

3 weeks ago | sandiegoreader.com | Jay Allen Sanford

Starship Featuring Mickey Thomas Upcoming Event Starship Featuring Mickey Thomas Moonlight Amphitheatre in Brengle Terrace Park, 1200 Vale Terrace, Vista Age Limit: Not available / $45 - $75 Singer Mickey Thomas has been a mainstay of classic rock for five decades, beginning with his stint in Elvin Bishop’s band, where he sang their biggest hit “Fooled Around And Fell In Love.” He was the first singer to step in for the departing Grace Slick when she left Jefferson Starship, and he remained...
Travel Agents, Olivia Rhode, Dave Gilbert Band, Kai Kalama, Slack Key 'Ohana

3 weeks ago | sandiegoreader.com | Jay Allen Sanford

Travel Agents at Duck Foot BreweryApril 3Miramar brewery Duck Foot has been hosting regular Grateful Dead Nights for several years now, inviting locals from bands such as Easy Wind to take the club stage and pay tribute to both the Dead and the solo music of head Deadhead Jerry Garcia. This edition of Dead Night features a trio version of local jam band Travel Agents, who have been extant since the late eighties and have opened for touring headliners such as Spirit.
The day the Beatles came to town

3 weeks ago | sandiegoreader.com | Jay Allen Sanford |Ken Leighton

8-28-65: For the Beatles' one and only local appearance, at Balboa Stadium, radio station KCBQ declared that Saturday "Beatle Day" and gave out pins saying so to attendees. Four local teenagers won a contest to present ceremonial keys to the city to the band at an afternoon press conference.
Freddie Walton, Jonny Tarr, Back to the Garden, Swing Kids, Bob Mould

4 weeks ago | sandiegoreader.com | Jay Allen Sanford

Live Five, March 27-April 1, 2025 Freddie Walton at Estancia La JollaMarch 27An accomplished guitarist and an aspiring pianist with a soulful sound that blends heartfelt lyrics with smooth melodies, Freddie Walton is a San Diego native with a big personality and heavy influences from the likes of Bill Withers, Dave Matthews, John Mayer, John Legend, Bruno Mars, and Otis Redding.
The day Brian Wilson came to town

1 month ago | sandiegoreader.com | Jay Allen Sanford |Bart Mendoza

June 1978: Beach Boys songwriter Brian Wilson was picked up as a vagrant crashing in Balboa Park. Flashback to late 1976: The mercurial Beach Boy was complaining about round-the-clock “treatment” administered by Beverly Hills shrink Dr. Eugene E. Landy, a controversial mental-health guru who, with his staff, essentially dictated and controlled his subject’s every move. Landy was later fired by band management, after it was discovered the doctor’s $90 hourly/$10,000 monthly salary had doubled.
The day Elvis Presley came to town

1 month ago | sandiegoreader.com | Jay Allen Sanford

Research into Elvis Presley’s first-ever California concerts, over the first week of April 1956, has yielded new material about the San Diego dates, including unpublished photos of the rock icon backstage at the long-gone San Diego Arena at Eighth and Harbor. Elvis’ very first left coast performance was a taping before a live audience for the Milton Berle Show on April 3, 1956, on the aircraft carrier USS Hancock, docked at the 28th street Naval Station.