San Jose: The Birthplace of Broadcasting and a Catalyst for Global Music Innovation (50 W. San Fernando St.)

A Legacy of Innovation That Unites Our Region

The Bay Area’s revolution in sound proves that innovation knows no borders. In 1909, Charles “Doc” Herrold built the world’s first radio broadcasting station in downtown San Jose. Known then as “San Jose Calling,” this pioneering station later evolved into what we now know as KCBS in San Francisco—a perfect example of how the region’s innovations transcend city lines and create lasting impact.

When Sybil Herrold became the world’s first DJ, she wasn’t just broadcasting to one city; she was launching a regional legacy of breakthrough moments where music meets innovation:

  • 1912: Lee de Forest’s vacuum tube amplifier in Palo Alto transforms sound reproduction.
  • 1940s: Redwood City’s Ampex Corporation revolutionizes recording, drawing legends like Bing Crosby and Les Paul.
  • 1950s: Ray Dolby pioneers noise reduction at Ampex before establishing Dolby Laboratories in San Francisco.
  • 1975: Stanford’s CCRMA (Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics) opens, launching a new era in digital music synthesis.
  • 1970s-1980s: Doug Curtis of Curtis Electromusic Specialties designs groundbreaking integrated circuits that revolutionize analog synthesizers, powering legendary electronic instruments from Moog, Sequential Circuits, and Oberheim.
  • 1993: Silicon Valley band Severe Tire Damage streams the first live concert online.
  • 2001: Cupertino’s Apple changes the way the world consumes music with the launch of the iPod and iTunes.
  • 2004: GarageBand democratizes music production, making it accessible to everyone.
  • Today: From Oakland’s Pandora to San Francisco’s Dolby, from San Jose’s NVIDIA to Mountain View’s Smule, the Bay Area continues to drive the future of music innovation.

Interactive Experiences at The Bay Rocks

This celebration of Silicon Valley’s legacy in sound innovation will invite visitors to immerse themselves in the region’s groundbreaking contributions to music and broadcasting through interactive exhibits and storytelling, including:

  • The Birth of Broadcasting: Step inside a recreation of Charles “Doc” Herrold’s original San Jose radio station and experience what it was like to be at the forefront of radio innovation in 1909.
  • The Synth Revolution: Explore the role of Stanford’s CCRMA and Silicon Valley engineers in pioneering digital music synthesis, featuring interactive exhibits on early synthesizers and modern AI-powered music creation—including the legacy of Doug Curtis and his revolutionary synthesizer chips that shaped electronic music.
  • Revolutionary Sound Systems: Experience how Dolby and Ampex redefined sound quality with hands-on demonstrations of noise reduction, recording technology, and immersive audio experiences.
  • The Digital Music Age: Walk through the evolution of music consumption, from the first live-streamed concert in 1993 to the invention of iTunes, Pandora, and modern streaming platforms.
  • The Garage Band Phenomenon: Discover how Silicon Valley made music creation more accessible with GarageBand and other groundbreaking music production tools.
  • AI & Music: Explore the cutting-edge ways AI is shaping the future of music, from AI-powered composing tools to real-time sound processing.

Visitors can begin their journey at San Jose City Hall, tracing the evolution of music technology from the first radio broadcast to today’s innovations that continue to shape global music culture. Highlights include:

  • San Francisco’s Tech & Music Crossroads: A deep dive into how innovations from Silicon Valley and the Bay Area transformed live performances, recording, and distribution.
  • Pioneering Technology in Live Music: From Dolby’s sound advancements to AI-powered concert experiences, learn how technology is reshaping the way music is performed and experienced.
  • Global Influence of Silicon Valley in Music: Discover how local innovations have influenced everything from pop music production to cutting-edge sound systems in global concerts.
  • Interactive Music Lab: Hands-on exhibits allowing visitors to experiment with AI music generation, digital sound processing, and immersive audio experiences.
  • Future of Music & Tech: A forward-looking exploration of where music innovation is headed, from virtual reality concerts to blockchain-driven music distribution.

The Bay Area’s legacy in sound innovation is an ongoing story, and The Bay Rocks is here to celebrate its past, present, and future.