In 1985, Tucson had only 376,195 residents. By the end of the 20th Century, it grew to 486,699 people living within the Tucson city limits. This influx of new Tucsonans not only brought new businesses, but also, new entertainment venues and entertainers.

As 1984 ended, so did Rockefeller– Tucson’s number one hard rock venue. Mark Newman 3 took over the old Outlaw nightclub on West Lester (which also closed) and renamed it the Roxy. The Roxy gave local rock bands a larger place to play and showcase up-and-coming bands. An all ages club opened in February 1985 on North Oracle called DanceTrax with recorded music. Country music enthusiasts got a big change with the moving of the Outlaw from West Lester location to midtown at 5822 E. Speedway. (Notes: Mark R. Newman passed away on October 24, 2012 at age 55. Newman also operated Mudbuggs, Head East and Head West Smoke Shops in Tucson).

In April, the Saddle City Band appeared a second time on NBC-TV’s highly rated and very successful TV series “Highway to Heaven,” starring Michael Landon and Victor French.

The charred hull of Chances Night Club, 6542 E. Tanque Verde Road, was condemned hours after an arson fire ripped through the building on Thursday, January 11, 1985. The bar opened in November 1978.

There is a change in spelling from Giant Sandworms to the Giant Sandwurms. According to Howe Gelb, the change reflects the new concept direction of the band. He said the Giant Sandwurms were working on their new material and looking for a drummer. They moved to Los Angeles and recorded as Giant Sand. Garber said the name was changed to end the affiliation with the movie.

Al Perry and the Cattle began recording a six song EP at the Sound Factory Recording Studio on January 2nd. Perry said it would be released by February (1985).

Jeff Keenan said the Phantom Limbs are scheduled to record a second record in San Francisco during February.

KBLE-FM, Tucson’s first cable radio station went on line in early March 1985. Locally owned and operated, KBLE-FM was available to basic subscribers of Cox Cable through the audio portion of a yet to be assigned channel.

Unfortunately, for local music, especially the punk and metal bands and fans, the months old WREX nightclub closed down in April.

By the summer, Jack’s Pub closed its doors to live music. At the Maverick, John E. Mann continued as the house band. Lil Abner’s Steak House was perfect for dinner and the music of Dean Armstrong. Street Pajama’s release, “Beast de Resistance,” came out on vinyl at the end of July 1985. For the past six months at KXCI (91.7) and for nearly 2½ years at 96 Rock’s Sunday nights with the KLPX Virgin Vinyl show radio alternatives opened the airwaves to new, local and “non-commercial” music.

By the fall, Marc Levinson and his partner Howard Stern planned to reopen the Comedy Zone, which was discontinued when Karmel’s closed. The newly reopened Comedy Zone later relocated to Terry & Zeke’s

Friendly Tavern on East Speedway. Terry Glassman says they are trying a new concept. Tequila Mockingbird, at El Con Mall, continues its Comedy Night.

In November, the Tucson Fire Department (TFD) closed Splinter Brothers Warehouse and ordered all patrons to immediately evacuate because the 13-year old building didn’t meet current fire code standards. At 10:00 pm, about a half dozen members of the TFD filtered into the crowd and ordered the building to be evacuated during the show after citing a number of fire code violations. At about the same time, Brooklyn’s Night Club was also being checked by TFD. When a TFD officer overhead someone at Splinter Brother’s determinedly say, “We’re going on,” he called for police back up to avoid any incident. The 100 people were ushered to the exits as the TFD and Tucson Police Department made sure the show wasn’t going to go on. Disgruntled patrons questions the ethics of shutting the building town in the middle of the performance. It was an incident that could have been avoided.