Editorial: What a long strange trip it’s been for San Jose

San Jose City Hall encountered a blast from the past at its doorstep Dec. 4. The moment was a reminder of how pivotal San Jose was to the nation’s music scene in the 1960s and 70s.

That evening, with a brilliant full moon above, community members unveiled a plaque in the spot where 60 years ago the Grateful Dead, formerly known as the Warlocks, played for the first time under their new name.

@sanjosespotlight

San Jose City Hall encountered a blast from the past at its doorstep Dec. 4. The moment was a reminder of how pivotal San Jose was to the nation’s music scene in the 1960s and 70s. That evening, with a brilliant full moon above, community members unveiled a plaque in the spot where 60 years ago the @gratefuldead, formerly known as the Warlocks, played for the first time under their new name. Read more at SanJoseSpotlight.com.

♬ 70’s Grateful Dead-style Jam Rock – C_O

Back then, a white house stood on the now-famous City Hall corner where the band performed and people tripped on LSD.

The merrymaking at 38 S. Fifth St. turned into a historic moment that no one in their right mind — and there weren’t many — ever imagined, according to Ira Meltzer, a former San Jose State University student who lived at the residence back then. He told the crowd it was an extraordinary evening of music and LSD-laced sugar cubes. Keep in mind, LSD was legal during those years.

But the Dec. 4, 1965 moment might have been forgotten if not for the determination of two diehard music lovers, San Jose Rocks founder Dan Orloff and former Mercury News sports columnist Mark Purdy, who doggedly searched for the exact location of the house. It took more than a decade to unravel, but they knew the history of the South Bay music scene and refused to give up.

Then came the moment of truth.

San Jose had the bona fides to claim 38 S. Fifth St. as the first performance of the renamed band. Even Trixie Garcia, the daughter of Grateful Dead band member Jerry Garcia, was there to celebrate the moment.

The band’s sound was like none other, finding a way to meld rock, bluegrass and jazz. Historians argue it birthed the psychedelic music movement.

The excitement of the hour was a fresh reminder that San Jose once had an incomparable music backbone until rock ‘n’ roll lost ground to high-tech and silicon chips. It was home to some of the country’s most talented musicians and renowned bands, and San Jose State played a significant role.

Some of the talent may come as a surprise.

Two students and musicians at San Jose State — Doug Clifford and Stu Cook — became part of the group Creedence Clearwater Revival with brothers Tom and John Fogerty. Another memorable band, Jefferson Airplane, had two South Bay school connections — Paul Kantner attended Santa Clara University and Jorma Kaukonen was a SJSU student. They joined up with band founder Marty Balin and incredible singer Grace Slick, who lived in Palo Alto.

Fleetwood Mac, another sensational band, also has SJSU roots. It’s where Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks met as students and started their musical journey. The legendary Doobie Brothers formed in San Jose, starting with Tom Johnston attending SJSU and San Jose native Pat Simmons.

That’s just a sampling of what the South Bay produced.

The history is deep and rich — and San Jose Rocks has complied it in an effort to make sure San Jose and its surrounding cities get their dues and aren’t lost. The website states: “San Jose’s musical history isn’t background noise. It’s a blueprint for the future.”

For people who relish music and remember when vinyl was the only option, and for those who have rediscovered the intoxicating sound of that format, dig back into those sweet tunes. Listen to those memorable refrains and lyrics that bring it back to the hook.

If a turntable isn’t available, listen on a streaming service and discover a different era and sound. The themes today haven’t deviated from 60 years ago — war, love, life, pain, family, friends, enemies, religion.

Then take a beat and remember some of the best sounds came right out of the South Bay.

Moryt Milo is an editor at San José Spotlight. Contact Moryt at [email protected] or follow her at @morytmilo on X. Catch up on her editorials here.