About this Event
Rudy Colombini was raised on Kramer Place, a tiny alley tucked away down a short stairway at the base of Telegraph Hill. He attended Sts. Peter and Paul grammar school, where he received first holy communion and was confirmed. Music was Colombini’s first love and the center of his life.
“I taught myself to play, learning from the neighborhood kids. When I was 17, I started a band (the Stragglers) with them. Our first gig was at the Spaghetti Factory on Green Street. We covered David Bowie, the Beatles, the Kinks, and some original songs.”
The Stragglers played some other venues like the San Francisco Art Institute and Cesar’s Latin Palace, located in a basement nightspot, also on Green.
Then fate intervened. Sts. Peter and Paul Church served as the funeral site for his father (when Colombini was 18) and his mother, when he was 21.
“After they died, I had a nervous breakdown. I didn’t know what that was then because we didn’t have therapists. But I know now, and I didn’t start healing until my early 30s.”
If playing music was his first aspiration, writing it was his second, a passion no doubt fueled by a chance encounter with Beatle John Lennon. Crossing paths on the corner of Union and Buchanan Streets, a bold young man asked his idol how he went about getting inspiration for his songs. “I steal a little here, and I steal a little there. The words are all there; you just grab them.”
Colombini suggests, “Nothing in this universe happens by accident…the probability of a Beatle coming to my ‘doorstep’ and saying ‘hi’ to me first is rather extraordinary…there was a purpose to it all.”
Inspired, no doubt, Colombini pursued songwriting. And, he started a series of bands to introduce his works. His bands, Twist and the Divine Comedy, followed the Stragglers. When the Divine Comedy broke up, Colombini left the music scene for two years until one day, he picked up his guitar and wrote ‘Under the Impression,’ ‘Message of Love,’ and five other songs for the successful album, Invincible, released in 1999.
The response was so great that, in 2000, he developed the Unauthorized Rolling Stones, one of the West Coast’s first significant tribute bands, which continues to this day. In all, Colombini has maintained his dual roles as a singer and as creator of many songs, resulting in four albums and hundreds of appearances throughout the West Coast.
Welcome to the Music City Experience!
Music City is the epicenter for live entertainment in the Bay Area.
Step into our immersive music festival across 6 stages: all live, all at once. Guests of all ages can discover emerging singer-songwriters, passionate tributes, underground shows, eclectic DJs, hilarious comedy, and more.
Your general admission ticket grants access to our 6 indoor venues, including a public karaoke lounge where you can be the star!
Fuel up at our restaurant, which offers a mouthwatering selection of classic favorites. Adults will enjoy beer, wine and specialty cocktails from our bar with non-alcoholic options for guests under 21.
🍺 SPECIAL OFFER: $1 BEER! 🍺
Every Thursday–Saturday starting at 4 PM, grab a beer for just $1. (Yes, you read that right.)
Welcome to your new favorite place!
Music City Starfactory - 1355 Bush St. San Francisco, 94109
Some performances may require a separate ticket. Exclusions apply for special and private event bookings.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Music City Starfactory (formerly Music City San Francisco), 1355 Bush Street, San Francisco, United States
USD 10.00 to USD 15.00
