A man known on the South Coast as a record store owner, but who was once a huge West Coast concert promoter has died. Jim Salzer was born in Chicago, but after pursuing rock music in the 1960’s moved to California. As a guitarist and singer, he sometimes performed with surf music legend Dick Dale.
In the 1960’s, Salzer opened his first record store in Oxnard. In 1972, he opened one in Ventura off of Highway 101 which remains open to this day.
He also became a major concert promoter, bringing bands like The Doors, Led Zeppelin, and the Rolling Stones to Southern California. He staged a number of concerts at Santa Barbara’s Earl Warren Showgrounds.
After deciding being a promoter had become too competitive, he focused on the record store business.
Salzer died over the weekend as the result of injuries suffered in a fall. He was 78 years old.
