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John's Drive-In, San Jose, California

Fast Cars, Good Friends and Rock n' Roll
1961 - 1964
 
 

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The Bishop, Dave Myers and The Deacon, Gary Dawson, standing in front of the DJ booth at John's Drive-In.

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Rich Robertson and band mates with guest recording artist at John's Drive-In, January 1962.

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Rich Robertson and band mates playing for the crowd at John's Drive-In March of Dimes Marathon, January 1962

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Dancing to the music at John's Drive-In, January 1962.

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Jack, co-owner of John's Drive-In at the soda fountain, January 1962.

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One of many bands to perform at John's Drive-In.

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Gary Dawson interviewing Glenn Leasher co-owner and driver of Infinity jet dragster on display at John's Drive-In, 1962.

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The Dell-Coeds and David De Leeuw after appearing on KNTV Ch. 11 Record Hop hosted by Frank Darien, January 1962.

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David De Leeuw with a John's Drive-In regular.

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Glenn Leasher racing the Infinity jet dragster at the Fremont Drag Strip.

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The Aristocrats

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Dennis Wilson of the Beach Boys

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12 year old Stevie Wonder, Betty Everett and Cassius Clay aka uhammad Ali

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Donna Loren

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Judi Jacobsen and Rod McKuen

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Beach Boys and Dee Dee Sharp

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Members of the house band

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Herb Alpert (Tijuana Brass)

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Freddy Cannon talking to Charlie from Tempo Productions

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The Aristocrats Lou Oris, Pete Canales and band mate

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Jim Satcher with Beach Boy Dennis Wilson

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After a weekend show Jim Satcher could be found entertaining the late night crowd at the Garden City Hofbrau in San Jose.

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Dave Myers behind the wheel of the Infinity" jet dragster on display at John's Drive-In.

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Have you ever been to John's drive-in,
down in San Jose where the DJ's spin,
all your fav'rite songs, you could sing along,
down at John's drive-in.

John's drive-in was quite the scene,
rock n' roll music and fast machines,
and the prettiest girls you've ever seen,
were (all) down at John's drive-in.

The Deacon, the Bishop and Diamond Jim,
dropped out of college one summer and then,
they started playing music and bless my soul,
ev'rybody's dancin' to the rock n' roll!

There were rock n' roll bands and recording artists too,
Smokey and the Miracles even tried something new,
and all the car hops were in the grove,
down at John's drive-in.

Dionne Warwick was rumored to say,
do you know the way to San Jose,
Where they rock the night away,
down at John's drive-in.
© Jim Satcher

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Gary Dawson, Dave Myers and Marc Nelsen, three of the original cast members who started the DJ show at John's Drive-In, are pictured with Big Bill and friend in front of the disc jockey booth at John's Drive-In, January 1962.

How it all began. 

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.

 
 

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Jim Satcher taking 'five' from programming duties at John's Drive-In.

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John's drive-in Top 60 play list

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Jim Satcher, Dave Myers and David De Leeuw with Cheerleaders from San Jose High at John's Drive-In.

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Gary Dawson with March of Dimes poster boy David De Leeuw and a lovely car hop at John's Drive-In, January 1962.

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Gary Dawson, Marc Nelsen and Ken Parker with the Dell-Coeds, the first recording act to appear at John's Drive-In, January 1962.

Disc Jockeys:

The Deacon - Gary Dawson

The Bishop - Dave Myers

Diamond Jim Satcher

Marc Nelson

Kenny "Blues Man" Parker

Dennis "Angel" Cliff

Program Director: Jim Satcher

Car hops: Dottie, Lollie, and others

The men in blue: John and Tobie.
 
 
Supporting Cast: John Lester, KLIV, Tom Donahue and Bobby Mitchell, KYA & Tempo Productions, Frank Darien, Stu Parks & Jan Moellering, KNTV, Pete Marino, Melody Sales, Carl Scott, King Records and Warner Bros. Records, Judi Jacobsen and Olin Harrison of Acme Sales, Walt (Cal) Calloway, Vi Orphans, Eric Distributors, Chuck Gregory, H.R. Basford, Jerry Hoff, Bay Distributors, Ken Bonaccorso, Whatsit Club, Don graham, D&M Sales, Dick Carpenter, Dot Records, Bill Keane, Field Music, Denny Zeitler, Independent Music, Chuck Dier, A.H. Meyer, Jerry Sher, Stone Distributors.
 
  

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Johnny, Aristocrats Manager, Sue Torney, Jim Satcher, Donna Loren and Carl Scott, Warner Bros/Electra A&R

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Lou Oris and Pete Canales and The Aristocrats

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The Drifters

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Righteous Bros, Bill Medley & Bobby Hatfield with Nino Tempo

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Jim Satcher, program director and disc jockey at John's Drive-in, with the Dell-Coeds and David De Leeuw at Channel 11 KNTV Record Hop to promote the March of Dimes Marathon at John's Drive-In.

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Gary Dawson and Dave Myers at work inside the DJ booth at John's Drive-In, 1962.

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Jim Satcher and Ken Parker with the five Superiors at John's Drive-In, January 1962.

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Car hop at John's Drive-In selling kisses for the March of Dimes, January 1962.

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David De Leeuw and friend collecting money for the March of Dimes at John's Drive-In.

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Recording artist Mary Wells with the Miracles at the Whatsit Club after appearing at John's drive-in on the Diamond Jim Show, 1962.

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Ralph, co-owner of John's sitting inside the Infinity jet dragster on display at John's Drive-In.

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Gary Dawson promoting a recording act on his show at John's Drive-In.

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Jim Satcher, Dave Myers, Big Bill, Ken Parker, Gary Dawson and friends celebrate the end of the 36 hour March of Dimes fund drive, January 1962.

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Glenn Leasher and the Infinity jet dragster at the end of a run at Fremont Drag Strip, 1962.

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Gary Dawson at the Million Celler in San Francisco.

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Rich Robertson and band mates entertaining the crowd at John's Drive-In.

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Record and concert promoter and all around great guy Pete Marino, Jr.
 
 

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Jim Satcher and Sue Torney, our very own Brenda Lee.

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Bobby Freeman and Jim Satcher

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Pete Canales and Lou Oris of the Aristocrats

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Dee Dee Sharp with her mother and Dionne Warick

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Ray Stevens

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Members of the Aristocrats

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Freddy Cannon during rehersals

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Donna Loren, Bill Medley, members of the house band and Donna's mother Ruth Zukor

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The very versatile Darlene Love (center) sang with Bob B. Soxx & the Blue Jeans (above), the Blossoms and as a solo artist for Phil Spector.

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Bobby Freeman at rehersal

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Beach Boys with Glenn Campbell (center) standing in for Brian Wilson

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San Francisco Cow Palace