Our History

Dan Orloff & Tom Muller

Formed in 2003 by Tom Muller and Dan Orloff, with the support of History San José, San Jose Rocks was conceived to promote music education and to reinvigorate the live music scene in San Jose and Silicon Valley through events that would celebrate Silicon Valley’s Role ‘n Rock: The region’s bands, musicians, writers, promoters, teachers, radio personalities, business leaders, inventors, music venues and technologists. San Jose Rocks generated significant print, broadcast and Internet publicity through the successful production of two San Jose Rocks Hall of Fame events in 2006 and 2007. San Jose Rocks envisioned a physical and virtual home to showcase this wealth of talent.

We are now reviving San Jose Rocks through this website and other virtual mediums and we are planning live events to collect, curate and celebrate unique facets of San Jose and Santa Clara Valley’s role in shaping the music industry.

We feel an urgency. Historic content is disappearing: As we inevitably lose music and technology industry achievers and music fans, we also lose historic artifacts and stories. So, let’s get those conversations started!

Special Thanks

To History San José: Alida Bray, Steven Cox, Barbara Johnson and Pam Watson. Without your support and patience, San Jose Rocks would have never gotten off the ground.
To videographer/editor Dave Choice and photographers Frank Anzalone, Mark Fenichel, Dave Lepori, and John Paulson. You captured the sights and sounds that set the stage for years of storytelling.
To members of my childhood hero bands, Roy Chaney, Kenn Ellner, John ‘Mouse’ Michalski with Count V and Syndicate of Sound’s Bob Gonzalez. All of you supported and encouraged me every step of the way. (Bob, I promise not to call you daily anymore!)
To my friends in the news and entertainment industry Scott Budman, Mike Colgan, Rob Fladeboe, Robert Handa, Tim Jeffries, Brad Kava, Greg Kihn, Sal Pizarro, Mark Purdy, Shay Quillen, Len Ramirez and Laurie Roberts. You all helped bring the stories to thousands of people we wouldn’t have otherwise reached. Mark Purdy, your August 20, 2003 article “South Bay Deserves Much of the Credit Accorded S.F. for ’60s Bands” was the catalyst for me.
To rock entertainment industry writer and historian Jud Cost. Your writing, for nearly all of San Jose Rocks’ inductions and other collateral material, added informative and entertaining twists to our stories.
To Read Zaro and Miki Hall with Bel-Aire Productions. You literally set the stage for all of our events and you continue to open up many doors for me.
To everyone who worked at Orloff Williams. Thank you for tolerating Dan’s Great Adventure (a.k.a. ADD-induced distraction) that took truck loads of time away from you. Special thanks to creative director Mike Bohrer and my partner Nanci Williams.
To a long list of friends including Robert Berry, William Bohrer, Jim Dawson, Dennis Erokan, Jim Gordon, Genie Phirippidis, Geoff Roach, Laurie Roberts, Steve Siacotos, Monica Zent, and especially Kathy Linton. You all tried as hard as you could to keep me focused.
To Dan Doherty. Your brilliant website development and willingness to share your time with me is deeply appreciated. This endeavor would not be possible without you.
To Kathy Royer. Your encouragement fueled my creativity. Thank you for helping me get the band back together again.

Thank you,

San Jose Rocks Induction & Dinner Ceremony October 20, 2006

In time, all of these photos will be captioned. Until then, thank you to the professional photographers who donated their time to capture these wonderful moments: Frank Anzalone, Mark Fenichel, Dave Lepori and John Paulson. A very special thanks to Read Zaro and Miki Hall with TEC Productions for staging the entire event.

Brad Kava

San Jose Rocks Induction & Dinner Ceremony October 19, 2007

In time, all of these photos will be caption. Until then, thank you to the professional photographers who donated their time to capture these wonderful moments: Frank Anzalone and John Paulson. And, a very special thanks to Read Zaro and Miki Hall with TEC Productions for staging the entire event.