Jim Franz – Class of January 1960
INDUCTED 2014

Played in the Concert Band, and The Campus Crew, Steinmetz’s Jazz Band, and in his senior year, performed in jam sessions with many jazz greats, and produced his first concert at The Blue Note, featuring Duke Ellington, Ann- Margret, and local teenage jazz musicians.

After graduation, he formed a band called The Kasuals, and in 1964 joined Dick Clark Productions as Musical Director for the Dick Clark Caravan of Stars nationwide rock ‘n roll tours, performing with Tom Jones, The Supremes, and other recording artists.

From 1966 to 1976, he toured the country with The MOB, Top 20 Recording Artists and Las Vegas Headliners, performing in Washington DC in 1973 at the first Inaugural Youth Concert. In 2011, the band reunited to be inducted into the South Dakota Rock ‘n Roll Hall Of Fame.

Jim lived in Alameda California, served 20 years as a Director for the American Red Cross Bay Area, and became Community Development Coordinator for the City of Alameda in 2010. He has received local, regional, and statewide recognition for more than 20,000 hours of volunteer service to the community.

Jim Franz, continued to make music with his wife Jan (Jan Mottram, Class of June 1964), who played with his Dick Clark Tour Band in 1965.

At the time the above was written Jim was still living, please forgive any grammatical errors. 

James “Jim” Clifford Franz passed away on June 10, 2026.  You can read his obituary on the Alameda Post Website

He is survived by his wife and partner of 30 years, Jan Nichols-Franz; daughters Harper and Renee; grandsons Joel, Ethan and Zac; sons-in-law Bobby and Dylan; dogs Herbie, Pigeon, and Zeus, and a very lucky cat, Ollie.