Back When Everybody Was a Star

Thirty-Five Years Ago

San Diego’s gay community, known as one of the most conservative and low key in the country, may find a rallying point in a March 25 decision by the San Diego State University student council.

In a 24-4 vote...the council agreed to prohibit the military recruiters from using student property (tables, chairs, office space) because of their policy of discriminating against gays. However, most recruiters use their own equipment and can continue to set up tables on university property.

The council’s action is among the first of its kind in the nation. Local gay organizers can recall no similar decisions on any other campus, and a spokesman for the New York–based National Gay Force claimed he has “never heard of anything quite like this before.”

— CITY LIGHTS: “THE BEST DEFENSE IS A GOOD OFFENSE,” Paul Krueger, April 8, 1976

Thirty Years Ago

JIM SP, BEWARE! Your answering machine is sucking your brain while you sleep.

ANNIE WHAT’S IT: Get lost. We’re sick and tired of your stupid, useless ads. Let John rest in peace. Sgt. Pepper.

— CLASSIFIEDS, April 9, 1981

Twenty-Five Years Ago

San Diegans, the Budget Motel management is on to you. They know that since you live right here in town, you couldn’t possibly have a good reason to rent a room at their new four-story, 101-unit complex at Columbia and Fir streets, other than to cause trouble. Maybe you’ll deal drugs or else get involved with a hooker. Or perhaps you’ll simply party all night and trash the room with a dozen of your wild-eyed friends. After all, the price is right: single rooms go for $25.88. And that’s less than a maid would charge to clean your house.

— CITY LIGHTS: “THE TEN OF US ARE JUST DOWN FROM NOME,” Thomas K. Arnold, April 10, 1986

Twenty Years Ago

Here comes cable. The technology that revolutionized television may soon do the same for the mushy signals, repetitive programming, obnoxious commercials, poor-quality sound, and obsolete broadcasting methods that bedevil local radio.

Or so hopes Digital Planet, promoters of an experimental radio network being tested in San Diego.

— CITY LIGHTS: “AND NOW, FOR JUST PENNIES A DAY, YOU TOO CAN TUNE IN TO GEEKY FRENCH POP,” Colin Flaherty, April 11, 1991

Fifteen Years Ago

If Buck hadn’t just told me he’s 61, I might have guessed 85, partly because he’s toothless, his chin and nose in profile about even with the blue hill of his baseball cap. He’s wearing jeans with a blue-and-green windbreaker. His blue eyes have the unfocused look of the legally blind.

The second legally blind man is Norman, 63, who looks like a star of major magnitude in his crisp white shirt, pale blue cardigan, impeccable grooming, and heavy-rimmed glasses meant to magnify. “I’m entitled to carry one of those red-and-white canes,” Norman says, “but there’s no way I’m gonna degrade myself like that.”

— “WHERE EVERYBODY IS A STAR,” Larry Harmon, April 11, 1996

Ten Years Ago

San Diegans won’t be allowed to forget they lost the chance to have important contemporary public art when they shouted down submissions from Ellsworth Kelly, Vito Accond, and others. Among out-of-town artists and critics, we have developed a rep as the burgh that’s not only unwelcoming but outright hostile to the idea of public funds being spent for things created by living artists. And should an artist try to sneak one of their abominations into town, we’ll make them haul it out of here.

— IN PASSING: “DAMP RAGE,” Max Nash, April 5, 2001

Five Years Ago

I arrived carrying one piece of advice from Hoyt Cater, the Burbank Daily Review publisher, regarding Robert Richards, the Copley bureau chief.

“Don’t,” he said, “try to drink with Bob Richards. He has a hollow leg.”

That was a scary piece of information because in those days the Copley people prided themselves not so much on the quality of their product as on their ability to hold their liquor. I fit right in.

— “HARD LIQUOR, HARD NEWS, ORGIES, AND THE REAGAN REVOLUTION,” Judith Moore, April 6, 2006