This Fourth of July, the City of Avalon will celebrate American music as its theme. Marshall Brown has been named the grand marshal.
Brown will be in the Fourth of July parade playing with the Black Jack Band.
If you see Brown on the street, you might think Santa resides here, with his long white beard and jovial smile, he could be mistaken for ole Saint Nick.
However, those who know Brown know him as the bugler for VFW Memorial Day Services, for 50 years prior as the owner of the famous Chi Chi Club and more.
This Fourth of July, the City of Avalon will celebrate American music as its theme. Marshall Brown has been named the grand marshal.
Brown will be in the Fourth of July parade playing with the Black Jack Band.
If you see Brown on the street, you might think Santa resides here, with his long white beard and jovial smile, he could be mistaken for ole Saint Nick.
However, those who know Brown know him as the bugler for VFW Memorial Day Services, for 50 years prior as the owner of the famous Chi Chi Club and more.
Marshall Graystone Brown, was born in Pasadena to Frederick “Fred” Brown and Margaret Eleanor Graystone on Jan. 21, 1939.
At the age of 6 the family moved to Solvang, California.
His father was in the real estate business. Marshall Brown has a brother Fredrick, “Rick” who became a judge.
Marshall Brown’s mother was a pianist and while taking piano lessons he also grew fond of the guitar.
Marshall has a son Kenny and daughter Rene and two grandchildren.
Marshall’s last two years of high school were spent at the New Mexio Military Institute, where he thrived in the adapting to the military way.
Marshall attended California State Berkeley for one year before deciding that his future had more in store than a college education.
Soon after, Marshall volunteered for the draft and joined the United States Army.
While stationed in Germany, during the noncombat years, Brown was responsible for guarding women and children who might be affected should turmoil develop.
Brown continued his love for music while in the military and he taught himself to play the guitar.
Leaving the military after more than two years, he returned to California.
Months before his return, Brown shipped his Volkswagon to stateside.
Once in California, he and his wife headed to Las Vegas to visit his dad and celebrate his return.
He then went back to Solvang and studied real estate to join in the family business.
Itchy to get on the road and pursue his music career, he packed up and moved to Nevada where he met Bobby Voss.
After traveling around the county playing music, Brown returned to California and took a summer job playing on the S.S. Catalina with his new and later long time friend, David Livesey.
While on the Island, Brown took up the stand up bass.
He also plays a little harmonica of course his beloved trumpet and has written a few songs.
In between gigs, Brown washed windows on the glass bottom boat.
In 1965, he and Livesey purchased the beloved Chi Chi Club, which today is quite different.
The bottom floor was the party spot.
The Lido was the name of his first Catalina band.
In 1983 Brown sold the Chi Chi Club.
Brown’s versatility brought him to do other jobs such as security guard at Hamilton Cove.
Brown played on the glass bottom boat with Kitty Perrine, keyboardist and vocalist for a number of years.
Brown and his friend Frank Job started the bee abatement business. Brown has been running the business for more than 25 years.
For more than 50 years, Marshall Brown has been entertaining Catalina residents and visitors.
Brown was in the High Neighbor Band.
In the early 80s he performed with the Silver Canyon Band.
Next came the East West Band and for the last 15 years he has played his electric and standup bass and sang with the ever-popular Black Jack.
Musicians in the band include: Pat Troy, John Regalado, Dave Markowitz, Butch Azevedo and Dave Thompson. Of course there are always musicians sitting in to play or sing.
Friend and fellow musician Dave Thompson says, “Marshall loves to entertain and he is genuinely happy to be anywhere playing music for people.“
When I asked Brown about his relationship with the Island for 50 years plus, Marshall proudly said, “I love it and always have, it reminds me of Solvang, with an ocean.“
