Famous San Diego Bands and Where They Got Their Start
When you think of American cities where today’s leading names in music made it big, you may think of New York and L.A. In fact, some of the biggest bands and musicians of the last 50 years launched their careers right here in San Diego — including the five examples below.
Stone Temple Pilots
The grunge and alt-rock band Stone Temple Pilots was formed in San Diego, when members Scott Weiland and Robert DeLeo discovered that they were dating the same San Diego woman (and ended up rooming together in her apartment). Back when the band was initially known as Mighty Joe Young, it also performed throughout the San Diego area and gained a local fan base from 1987 to 1990.
Blink-182
The members of Blink-182 first came together in the San Diego suburb of Poway, where they had gone to high school. They were heavily inspired by the punk and skating scene in surrounding Southern California and played at local clubs such as Soma San Diego.
Jewel
Jewel moved to San Diego after graduating from Michigan’s Interlochen Arts Academy, frequently singing at SoCal venues such as the Innerchange Cafe and Java Joe’s, where she worked as a barista. It was in San Diego that she met future co-writer Steve Poltz, sang the National Anthem before Super Bowl XXXII, and ultimately performed at Live at our own Humphreys Concerts By the Bay.
Jason Mraz
Jason Mraz came to San Diego on a road trip after high school, back in 1999. He met band member Toca Rivera and performed as a part of a trio for three years in Ocean Beach, then kicked off a later tour at the San Diego Music Awards, held at our very own Humphreys Concerts by the Bay!
Switchfoot
Alt-rock and Christian-music band Switchfoot formed in San Diego in 1996. They later recorded a video here that ultimately went platinum and have been regularly involved in the local music and charity scene ever since.
Our 2020 concert season is already in full swing at Humphreys Concerts by the Bay. See the best of San Diego entertainment at our scenic outdoor concert venue on the marina. Find the full schedule of upcoming performances on our website.