A Rockin Campus History

It’s been seen by Jimmy Buffet, Patti Smith, R.E.M. and Talking Heads. Now, Seth Mallios, professor and chair of the San Diego State University anthropology department is working to make the Rock ‘n’ Roll mural available to everyone.

Originally painted near the rear stage entrance to the Backdoor, a once popular concert venue in SDSU’s 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’t visible to concertgoers, some of the greatest musicians of all time passed it as they walked to the stage.

“This stunning artwork showcased the joy and glamour of rock 'n' roll,” Mallios said. “It was a touchstone for up-and-coming bands as they embarked on dreams of musical stardom.”

Painted in 1976 by students in an SDSU 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 “Backdoor” mural.

Rock and love affair

To raise awareness of and interest in the mural, the SDSU Library is presenting a Valentine’s Day event called “Saving the Murals and Lovin’ the Music” on Feb. 14.

At the event, Mallios will present a lecture titled “The Legendary Yet Unknown History of Rock ‘n’ Roll at San Diego State.”

“SDSU's rock 'n' roll history is extraordinary; yet most San Diegans have no idea,” Mallios said. “So 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.”

The evening begins at 7:30 in Love Library, room 108, with a free dessert reception.

Mallios got involved when plans to demolish SDSU’s Aztec Center and build a larger student union on the site did not include saving the “Backdoor” 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’s restoration and relocation to the SDSU Library.

““Nearly every rock legend has some tie to SDSU.””

Musical hot spots

The Backdoor isn’t the only SDSU 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’ Roses, Metallica and Lady Gaga. The annual music festival Lollapalooza was also held at Aztec Bowl in 1994.

“Over 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,” Mallios said. “Nearly every rock legend has some tie to SDSU.”

Mallios has put together his list of the “20 Most Important Rock 'n' Roll Concerts at San Diego State” (and 25 others you should tell your friends you saw – even if you didn’t). The list highlights artists, performances and on-campus concert venues since the 1960s.

Saving Aztec history

This isn’t the first piece of artwork that Mallios has successfully restored. Two SDSU murals painted by students in the 1930s, “NRA Packages” and “San Diego Industry,” were previously restored and relocated to the Reference Services area of the SDSU Library. They had been found above a lowered ceiling in Hardy Tower.

Eventually, Mallios hopes to embark on a similar mission with the “Alice in Wonderland” mural, which is hidden behind a coat of paint in a stairwell in Hardy Tower.

Mallios researched and examined at least a thousand SDSU-related items for his book, “Hail Montezuma: The Hidden Treasures of San Diego State,” which investigates many of the university’s archaeological finds.

The book is available through the SDSU Bookstore.