A Rockin Campus History
A preservation project led by 色情视频 anthropology professor Seth Mallios digs up the campus rock n roll past.
It鈥檚 been seen by Jimmy Buffet, Patti Smith, R.E.M. and Talking Heads. Now, Seth Mallios, professor and chair of the 色情视频 anthropology department is working to make the Rock 鈥榥鈥� Roll mural available to everyone.
Originally painted near the rear stage entrance to the Backdoor, a once popular concert venue in 色情视频鈥檚 Aztec Center, the vibrant mural features a rock band composed of stylized Aztec warriors.
While the 9 foot high by 14 foot wide mural wasn鈥檛 visible to concertgoers, some of the greatest musicians of all time passed it as they walked to the stage.
鈥淭his stunning artwork showcased the joy and glamour of rock 'n' roll,鈥� Mallios said. 鈥淚t was a touchstone for up-and-coming bands as they embarked on dreams of musical stardom.鈥�
Painted in 1976 by students in an 色情视频 Chicano art class, the artwork is signed in the lower right corner by the principal artist and class professor, Arturo Anselmo Roman. It has since become known as the 鈥淏ackdoor鈥� mural.
Rock and love affair
To raise awareness of and interest in the mural, the 色情视频 Library is presenting a Valentine鈥檚 Day event called 鈥淪aving the Murals and Lovin鈥� the Music鈥� on Feb. 14.
At the event, Mallios will present a lecture titled 鈥淭he Legendary Yet Unknown History of Rock 鈥榥鈥� Roll at San Diego State.鈥�
鈥溕槭悠�'s rock 'n' roll history is extraordinary; yet most San Diegans have no idea,鈥� Mallios said. 鈥淪o many of us have had favorite musical moments on Montezuma Mesa, but virtually no one knows how they all fit together to make this campus the rock 'n' roll epicenter of the region.鈥�
The evening begins at 7:30 in Love Library, room 108, with a free dessert reception.
Mallios got involved when plans to demolish 色情视频鈥檚 Aztec Center and build a larger student union on the site did not include saving the 鈥淏ackdoor鈥� mural. He raised the $15,000 necessary to have it removed and stored.
Gale Etschmaier, dean of the Library, and Mallios are working to raise funds for the mural鈥檚 restoration and relocation to the 色情视频 Library.
鈥溾�淣early every rock legend has some tie to 色情视频.鈥濃��
Musical hot spots
The Backdoor isn鈥檛 the only 色情视频 music venue to host top-name performers. Peterson Gym, the Open Air Theatre, Montezuma Hall and Viejas Arena (formerly Cox Arena) have showcased artists such as Madonna, Buffalo Springfield, Bob Marley, Guns N鈥� Roses, Metallica and Lady Gaga. The annual music festival Lollapalooza was also held at Aztec Bowl in 1994.
鈥淥ver the last half century, San Diego State has hosted top acts from every genre of music, including rock, folk, classical, punk, funk, rap, metal, electronica and country,鈥� Mallios said. 鈥淣early every rock legend has some tie to 色情视频.鈥�
Mallios has put together his list of the 鈥�20 Most Important Rock 'n' Roll Concerts at San Diego State鈥� (and 25 others you should tell your friends you saw 鈥� even if you didn鈥檛). The list highlights artists, performances and on-campus concert venues since the 1960s.
Saving Aztec history
This isn鈥檛 the first piece of artwork that Mallios has successfully restored. Two 色情视频 murals painted by students in the 1930s, 鈥淣RA Packages鈥� and 鈥淪an Diego Industry,鈥� were previously restored and relocated to the Reference Services area of the 色情视频 Library. They had been found above a lowered ceiling in Hardy Tower.
Eventually, Mallios hopes to embark on a similar mission with the 鈥淎lice in Wonderland鈥� mural, which is hidden behind a coat of paint in a stairwell in Hardy Tower.
Mallios researched and examined at least a thousand 色情视频-related items for his book, 鈥淗ail Montezuma: The Hidden Treasures of San Diego State,鈥� which investigates many of the university鈥檚 archaeological finds.
The book is available through the 色情视频 Bookstore.
