Jim Sullivan was a musician with a large mustache. And it’s no surprise that you probably don’t know anything about him. Having listened to numerous blues groups, he became infatuated with music. He was a family man. He was married and followed his guitar wherever it led. In 1968, he relocated himself and his family to Los Angeles.
Barbara worked at a record company and Sullivan played guitar at several Los Angeles clubs. Eventually, he got a regular gig playing at the Raft club in Malibu. His music led to friendships with actors Lee Majors, Lee Marvin, and Harry Dean Stanton. Sullivan even appeared in an uncredited role in the cult classic film Easy Rider with his friend Dennis Hopper.
Sullivan produced two albums. In 1969, he released his first album titled U.F.O. The album didn’t perform well then, but it has found a modern audience. The album didn’t do well then and his career didn’t gain much attention. Nevertheless, he pursued a musical career. In 1972, he released his second album, Jim Sullivan.
Sullivan developed a drinking problem and began having marital issues. His second child was born in 1972. Trying to keep his music career alive, he made a decisive move in 1975. His plan was to launch a successful music career in Nashville, Tennessee.
Sullivan packed up his VW Beetle on March 4, 1975, and left Los Angeles for Nashville. His wife and two children remained in Los Angeles. He said he would return for his family once he got settled in Nashville. After leaving Los Angeles, he stopped at a motel in Santa Rosa, New Mexico.
According to reports, his key was left in the room, and he had not slept in his bed. It seems strange for him to rent a motel room and leave without staying in it. The next day, someone saw him at a ranch where his car was left abandoned. Sullivan was nowhere in sight. Sullivan had disappeared. Sullivan left money, paper, clothing, unsold records, and his guitar behind.
Jim Sullivan has been missing for nearly 50 years. There are many theories online that speculate why he disappeared. Among those theories are: homicide, lost memory, or a UFO abduction theory.
His late wife Barbara was the last person to speak to him. He called her on March 5, 1975. It was clear something was on his mind. She asked if he was all right. He then told her, “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.” He then told her to forget he said anything to her.
According to a friend of Jim’s, he would never venture anywhere without his guitar. Several friends, family members and volunteers searched for him but found nothing. He left no clues about where he went. On his first album, he talks about driving along highways and being abducted by aliens. Have aliens abducted him? That’s what some people think.
Whatever became of singer Jim Sullivan? Did he just wander out into the desert? Could he have been murdered? His fate is unknown. His manager once asked him how he would disappear if he ever decided to do so. Sullivan said he would walk into the desert and never return. Interestingly enough, in 2010, NPR (National Public Radio) interviewed founder of Light in the Attic Records, Matt Sullivan. According to Matt, he discovered Jim Sullivan’s music on a blog about obscure music. He has since re-released Jim Sullivan’s music and made it accessible to a new generation.
If you do an internet search, you will find that there is still interest in learning what happened to musician Jim Sullivan, who appeared to be poised for success.
Marc is a longtime resident of Clermont County and an avid reader. Contact him through his website at www.themarcabe.com or through Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Catchmykiller. Marc also has a podcast called Catch my Killer, where he interviews family members seeking justice for their murdered loved ones. You can listen at www.catchmykiller.com.