Who performed at 1976 and 1977 kool jazz festival in san Diego?

Answer 1

The Kool Jazz Festival was held at the old baseball San Diego Stadium along Hwy 8 about 10 miles east of Mission Bay. The name was later changed to Jack Murphy stadium. It was held on a Friday and a Saturday in either June or July of 1976. My good Marine buddy Roger B. and I had tickets for both nights. The stage was set at 2nd base facing home plate and guests sat in the lower stands and grandstands with nobody in the bleachers or outfield. I don't remember any giant screen TV's or monitors in the stadium. It was a perfect summers night and the temperature was about 80 degrees. There were so many people smoking refer that nobody had to bring their own. Many were just taking a toke and passing it down the row. I had two giant beers and Roger and I sat in about the 10th row up from 3rd base because we got our tickets early. I would say there was about 10,000- 12,000 people there because it took me an hour to find my blue 1974 Chevrolet Nova. I think there were 6 acts on Friday and another 6 on Saturday. Although I don't remember all of the artists, I do remember Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, Dizzy Gillespie and of course the great Marvin Gaye. I still remember all of the lights went out for just a few seconds when we all heard Marvin start to sing ' Distant Lover' when all the girls screamed to holy hell and then the lights came on but nobody singing was on stage. But, within a few seconds Marvin came out from behind the stage curtain and sang his heart out. The girls were screaming the entire time so good thing the engineer turned the sound up temporarily. We stayed for both entire shows and they were absolutely the best. To this day whenever I hear any Harold Melvin, Dizzy Gillespie or Marvin, I immediately think of seeing them live at that 1st Kool Jazz Festival in San Diego in 1976. I know it was the summer of 1976 because the summer of 1975 I was in the Midwest and the summer of 1977 I was in Japan. That was one great show. I even remember the young man who kept bothering a young lady two rows in front of us when she pulled out a giant knife from her purse and chased him a few aisles until he got away. May Teddy Pendergrass, Dizzy Gillespie and of course Marvin Gaye Rest in Peace. I still go to many Jazz shows every chance I get and of course take my wife of 31 years, today. NFW

Answer 2

Jack Murphy Stadium (now known as Qualcomm Stadium).

Answer 3

Barkays, B.B. King, Teddy, Natalie Cole