Jim Sullivan

James Anthony Sullivan (August 13, 1939 – disappeared March 6, 1975) was an American singer-songwriter and guitarist who released two albums before he disappeared without a trace in New Mexico.

Early life James Anthony Sullivan was born in Nebraska on August 13, 1939, the seventh son of a blue collar Irish-American family that relocated to San Diego, California, during World War II. In high school, Sullivan was a nascent guitar player and the quarterback of the varsity football team, and he met his future wife, Barbara, whom he married in 1960. While attending college, Sullivan co-owned a bar that was ultimately a financial failure. In the mid-1960s, he played with the San Diego rock group the Survivors, which featured his sister-in-law Kathie as lead vocalist.

Career In 1968, the Sullivans relocated to Los Angeles, where Barbara worked as a secretary for Capitol Records while Jim played gigs in the evenings. His Hollywood social circle included actor Dennis Hopper, leading to an uncredited role as a guitarist at a hippie commune in Hopper's 1969 film Easy Rider.

After Barbara's unsuccessful attempts to interest Capitol Records in her husband, actor Al Dobbs heard Sullivan play at the Raft club in Malibu, and decided to raise funds to record him, founding Monnie Records for that purpose.

In 1972, Sullivan released a second album, Jim Sullivan, on Playboy Records. Like its predecessor, it failed to attract interest. By this time, Sullivan's professional struggles led to marital difficulties, and Jim and Barbara separated. Their plan was for Jim to relocate to Nashville, Tennessee, and once he reestablished his career, he would send for Barbara and their two children. The next day, Sullivan was pulled over by police on suspicion of driving under the influence. After passing a sobriety test, he checked into the La Mesa Motel in Santa Rosa, New Mexico. After checking in, Sullivan purchased a bottle of vodka at a liquor store and left town in his car. Sullivan was seen the following day some south of Santa Rosa, near Puerto de Luna, at a remote ranch owned by the Gennitti family. His abandoned car was later found nearby, which contained his money, papers, guitar, clothes, and a box of his unsold records. Despite extensive searches by law enforcement and his family, Sullivan was never seen again.

His wife, Barbara Sullivan, died in November 2016.

Discography

Albums U.F.O. (Monnie, 1969) Jim Sullivan (Playboy, 1972) If the Evening Were Dawn (Light in the Attic, 2019) (compilation)

Singles "Rosey" / "Roll Back the Time" (Century City, 1970) "I Do What I Please" / "Inside Outside" (Fanfare, 1971) "Highway" / "Lorelei Lee" (RCA, 1971) (promotional only)