Vote for Sid

“I’m working with promoter Sid Bernstein, the man who brought the Beatles to America and promoted their famed 1965 Shea Stadium gig,” says singer-songwriter Gary Ra’chac. “Believe it or not, Sid is recording his first album, at the age of 92! Plus, his autobiography, Sid Bernstein Calling, has just gone into its second edition.”

The 53-year-old Ra’chac, a San Diego native who spent several years working at Tasha’s Music downtown, first contacted Bernstein in hopes of booking him as a guest on the Vince Martell Rocks America radio show, which Ra’chac produces. “To my delight, we hit it off, and I’m proud to say Sid has taken me under his wing. He’s not only appeared on the show three times, but he’s become my showbiz mentor. I’ve been helping in the promotion of his book and spreading the buzz of his album as a publicist, tapping into my contact list.”

Ra’chac, who lives in Banker’s Hill, produces the Vince Martell radio show in San Diego. “I’m hoping the show can further the ongoing campaign to induct Sid into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, an effort started by Billy Joel, Roger Daltrey, Tony Bennett...”

Bernstein is credited as the first promoter of stadium rock concerts and for kickstarting the British Invasion by bringing the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Kinks, the Moody Blues, and Herman’s Hermits to America for their first stateside performances.

But, really, a record album? “It’s being produced by David Spinoza.... On the album, Sid sings duets with his newest discovery, Dierera Brodwick, like the French standard ‘La Vie En Rose.’”