Wrecking Ball Claims Downtown San Diego's 4th & B Nightclub
The building that became 4th & B was originally a bank, but after opening its doors in 1994, the music venue hosted more than 3,000 shows over the years
The building that became 4th & B was originally a bank, but after opening its doors in 1994, the music venue hosted more than 3,000 shows over the years.
Thousands of music fans attended thousands of concerts at downtown San Diego's 4th & B club over the years before its closure.
The club, which had a capacity north of 1,000 guests, sat silent for nearly a decade, with glimmers of hope flickering and fading. In 2013, a sign went up on the marquee — Redefining Awesome.com — alerting the neighborhood that Avalon San Diego would be opening, but that EDM satellite of the LA mothership club never landed.
The building that became 4th & B was originally a bank, but after opening its doors in 1994, the music venue hosted more than 3,000 shows, including concerts by Mute Math, Wilco, the Cardigans and the White Stripes, and plenty of Dead cover bands.
According to published reports, the venue — you guessed it — may become a thirtysomething story tower once the folks at AMG Demolition have their way with the place.
Vito Di Stefano
Chuck D and Flava Flav of Public Enemy wowed the crowd at 4th & B on Sunday.
Vito Di Stefano
Vito Di Stefano
Photographer Vito Di Stefano got a peek at the set list.
Vito Di Stefano
When Public Enemy's set actually started, they came out blasting.
Vito Di Stefano
Almost everything that made you raise your fist with Public Enemy was there. Chuck D spit his fiery lyrics. Flavor Flav offered comic relief with his trademark wild dance moves and charismatic personality (he even showed off his skills on bass and drums).
Vito Di Stefano
rantic DJ scratches added the right amount of chaos to the band's energetic playing. Those dancers in army fatigues -- the S1W's (the Security of the First World, in case you were curious) -- were even led by the mighty Professor Griff, who at times felt the need to perform flying karate kicks in his bulletproof vest.
Vito Di Stefano
Vito Di Stefano
For a second, you might've mistaken these 50-year-old grandfathers for a group of anarchistic, teenage skate punks from L.A.
Vito Di Stefano
Suddenly, Chuck D apologized to us. Their show the previous night had taken a toll on his throat, and he was losing his voice. Despite his best efforts, he couldn't go full-stop to the end.
Vito Di Stefano
To give his partner brief rest breaks, Flav took over for small chunks of their set.
Vito Di Stefano
Vito Di Stefano
Excuse the cliche, but if you hadn't realized by now, a Public Enemy performance is an experience.
Vito Di Stefano
Vito Di Stefano
The best thing about watching legends perform is that they've earned the right to do whatever the hell they feel like doing, knowing crowds will still go with it.
Vito Di Stefano
Vito Di Stefano
Vito Di Stefano
Vito Di Stefano
If you haven't seen Public Enemy perform yet, something has clearly gone very wrong in your life somewhere.
Vito Di Stefano
Vito Di Stefano
Vito Di Stefano
Vito Di Stefano
Vito Di Stefano
Vito Di Stefano
Vito Di Stefano
Vito Di Stefano
Vito Di Stefano
Vito Di Stefano
Vito Di Stefano
Vito Di Stefano
Vito Di Stefano
Vito Di Stefano
Vito Di Stefano
The only neighbor on that block, the old California Theatre building, which has been closed more than 30 years, could someday suffer a similar ignominious end, but not just yet. In July, there were whispers that the Cayden Property Group of Australia may have been trying to sell the property they bought in 2019. The city of San Diego approved their plans to build a 41-floor condominium complex with retail and a boutique hotel on the lower floors.
At the time, NBC7 reached out to Cayden Property Group and to a Realtor who was said to be handling the potential sale. Our calls and emails were not returned.
Some speculated that a single developer would put together the two building sites, and the surrounding Ace parking lot, then develop the entire block, but no such plan ever materialized.
Dan Chusid
Dan Chusid, photographer
The '80s New Wave icon Adam Ant brought San Diego back to the days of hairspray and shoulder pads when he performed at 4th & B on Sept. 15.
Dan Chusid, photographer
Fans came out in their Adam Ant-best with costumes inspired by the outrageous performer.
Dan Chusid, photographer
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Dan Chusid, photographer
Adam Ant played a major role in the development of MTV culture -- his visionary videos took more of a "small films" approach to music videos rather than just focusing on the band playing.
Dan Chusid, photographer
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Dan Chusid, photographer
Adam Ant's real name is Stuart Goddard.
Dan Chusid, photographer
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He was born in Marylebone, an affluent inner-city area of central London.
Dan Chusid, photographer
Dan Chusid, photographer
His mother was a domestic cleaner who briefly worked for Paul McCartney.
Dan Chusid, photographer
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Adam Ant's first foray into music was as a member of the band Bazooka Joe.
Dan Chusid, photographer
A Bazooka Joe show at St. Martin's College, in London, in 1975 was marked as the first performance of supporting act the Sex Pistols.
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Adam Ant was the frontman for British rock band Adam & the Ants. They saw much success as early members of the New Romantic music movement.
Dan Chusid, photographer
Dan Chusid, photographer
Dan Chusid, photographer
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Dan Chusid, photographer
Dan Chusid, photographer
Dan Chusid, photographer
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Openers Brothers of Brazil
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Brothers of Brazil, named for their country of origin, consists of brothers Supla and Joäo.
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