Local musician Marco Sanchez sadly passed away in January. A tribute to Sanchez will be held at the Cinema this week, and performer Hampton Flanagan told us about what will happen on the evening…
Obviously this show isn’t an ordinary show. What can you tell us about Marco, and the reason for the tribute show?
It is a tribute to a long time local music legend, Marco Sanchez (08/15/47 – 01/05/2026). Marco grew up in West Los Angeles/Culver City and attended University High School. He was on the football team and learned how to play guitar. After high school, he began playing all of the local bars and clubs in the West LA area including the Plush Poodle on Sepulveda and National and the Hang on Pico across from Kelbo’s. Marco was heavily influenced by popular Latin rock groups from the ‘70s like Santana, Malo, El Chicano as well as blues and various other pop rock standards. He wasn’t stuck in the ‘70s. He would add newer songs to his repertoire occasionally. Marco and his group Mixed Company were the house band at the Culver Cowboy on Washington Blvd. During that time, drummer CoCo Montoya was recruited by blues legend Albert Collins. Years later, CoCo came back playing guitar and became a legendary blues guitar player/singer.
After the Culver Cowboy, Marco took residency at the Cinema Bar in Culver City where he played every Friday night for about 20 years. When he and Mixed Company started there, Friday was the only regular music night there. Every Friday, the dance floor would be packed. It was the hippest Friday night spot in Culver City.
Marco inspired and supported many, many local musicians and would let them sit in. There were times when musicians from local band “WestSide Crew” would sit in and there would be 8-10 players squeezed together on the small stage and dance floor overflowing with dancers.
As time went on and Marco grew older he developed health problems which held him back until he was unable to play. Marco passed away on January 5th, 2026 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles.
A tribute for Marco will be held on Saturday August 22nd from 7-10pm at the Cinema Bar and will include music from MIxed Company Alumni playing all the songs Marco loved to play.
What are your own career highlights so far…
I was in Mixed Company for five years – I’ve been playing for about 40 years. Local bands of note – Mule, Dan Janisch, Trailor Park Casnovas, Hillbilly Soul Surfers, Sugar Daddies, Tara Novick (John Corbitt, Lee Rocker), Johnny Hawthorn (Toad the Wet Sprocket, Everclear). Currently I am a member of the Cadillac Angels (Santa Barbara), The Hillbilly Soul Surfers (Los Angeles) and the Del Novas (Central Coast).
What recorded music is available — particularly the most recent?
There are no recordings from Marco Sanchez. My band, Del Novas just released an EP on Vinyl and is available on our Facebook page.
Have you performed at Cinema Bar before? Any memories?
I’ve played there so many times with so many different bands since the late ‘80s. Lots of memories. When playing with Marco in 2001, during a song by Malo called “Cafe,” we stopped the song, I ran out into the audience and proposed to my girlfriend. We just celebrated 24 years.
Lots more – too many.
What else do you have coming up?
Nothing from Mixed Company. Personally, I have many dates coming up – Hillbilly Soul Surfers and the Del Novas at the Redwood Bar on Sat Sept 12 and Sept 13 at Huntington Beach Surfin Sundays (surf band concert series). Cadillac Angels, Hooked Bar, Lake Cachuma on Sunday, August 16, Ventura Harbor Cove Sat 08/29, Cold Springs Tavern Sat Sept 5th. Check Facebook.
A Tribute to Marco Sanchez takes place at 9 p.m. on Saturday, August 22 at the Cinema Bar. Go to thecinemabar.com for more information about the show.
Elsewhere this week
The Culver Hotel will be hosting the likes of Sylvia & the Rhythm Boys, and Scotty Bramer. Go to culverhotel.com for more info.
The next show at Boulevard Music is Twanguero, at 8 p.m. on Saturday, August 29. Go to boulevardmusic.com for more info.