John's Drive-In 1961-1964

In May of 1961, three San Jose City College students majoring in broadcasting started a disc jockey show at John’s drive-in restaurant.  The show started on the roof of the restaurant.  Requests were placed in a bucket and lifted up by rope to the roof where the DJ's would use a bullhorn to announce the next record to to be played on the jukebox.  The show was soon moved to a booth on the ground.  Turntables and microphones were run through a control panel and connected to the restaurant’s PA system.  The disc jockeys were Gary Dawson (The Deacon), Dave Myers (The Bishop), Lincoln alumni (Diamond) Jim Satcher, Marc Nelsen, Kenny "Blues Man" Parker, Dennis (Angel) Cliff, and others.  John Lester of KLIV put Jim Satcher in touch with San Francisco record distributors who provided the DJ show with records and recording artists to perform at John's drive-in.  They included the Dell-Coeds, Donna Loren, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, Mary Wells, the Cascades, Martin Balin, the Letterman and Dick n' Deedee.  Local bands also performed at the drive-in. 

What started out as a class project and a way to entertain friends in the summer of '61, turned into full time jobs For Gary Dawson and Jim Satcher.  In addition to their disc jockey duties, Gary Dawson took bands on tour while Jim Satcher hosted the Battle of the Bands and concerts at the Santa Clara Valley Youth Village (Whatzit Club) in Santa Clara, and record hops and concerts in the south bay area in conjunction with Tempo Productions and KYA radio personalities Tom Donahue and Bobby Mitchell.  Lincoln alumni Lou Oris and Pete Canales and The Aristocrats were the featured band and performed in concert with recording artists Bobby Freeman, Little 'E,' Sue Torney, Donna Loren, Bobby Rydell, Leslie Gore, Timi Yuro, Lee Dorsey, to name a few.  Other concerts hosted by Jim Satcher featured Joe Piazza & The Originals with Sly Stewart on organ.  Sly would later form a new band called Sly & The Mojo Men, produce records and be heard on KSOL radio.  Sly is best remembered for creating a unique style of funk that Sly & The Family Stone brought to Woodstock..  Marty Balin, who appeared at John's, went on to form the Jefferson Airplane and perform at Woodstock.  Jim Satcher entered military service where he entertained the troops and was heard on Armed Forces radio in Vietnam.