Catalyst Club Founder Dies

Randall Philip Kane, 85, who founded the Catalyst in Santa Cruz, Calif., died Aug. 3 of congestive heart failure.

Kane owned the Catalyst for 34 years and attracted such big names as Neil Young and Red Hot Chili Peppers to the 800-capacity club.

Remembered by employees for riding his bike while wearing rainbow-colored suspenders, the one-time U.S. Army corporal could have been anything he wanted “but he chose to be a businessman,” his brother Russell told the Santa Cruz Sentinel.

Before opening the Catalyst, the Ohio native had a three-year stint as dean of the San Francisco Institute of Art, which didn’t satiate his need for art and adventure. He soon became interested in a coffee shop on the floor of an old hotel, which gave birth to the Catalyst. The club was eventually relocated to a former bowling alley on Pacific Avenue.

The club remains very active, with Trivium, Sugar Ray, Xavier Rudd and Hatebreed on the books.