Alan "Ace" Garber

Alan "Ace" Garber, age 73, of Coarsegold, California passed away on Wednesday, September 3, 2025. He was a professional musician and it was the only job he ever had. He picked up a guitar the day the Beatles landed in New York and never put it down. Alan loved many things… Classic 50's cars, car shows, guitars, animals, outdoor activities and laughing. He thought that life was an exciting journey and wanted to live each moment to its fullest.

Alan was raised in Southern Orange County, California and grew up at the height of 60's 'Summer of Love' and during the hippie scene in San Francisco. He graduated with a BA in History with a minor in Sociology from UC Santa Barbara. But he never worked in that field of study because he was in several successful bands in Santa Barbara. One of them, "Son of Grease", was where he did 50's songs during the nostalgia & "Happy Days" era. His band members were Dane Teague, John & Denny Broersma, Jeff Miles, Jimmie Graham. He had the best times of his life playing music through the 70's, 80's and through all the Disco, Country music that became popular in California and met many wonderful musicians and friends along the way. He said he wouldn't have traded it for the world. He toured the US and music is what he did.

Alan grew up in the shadow of the Fender guitar factory in Fullerton, California and honed his chops leading his own bands and bands for road shows backing the Drifters, the Coasters, the Crests , Jewel Aikins ( Birds & the Bees), Paul Roby of the Platters, and shared the stage with Mike Love of the Beach Boys, Dorsey Burnette and others before touring across the USA. He was an accomplished singer/songwriter with over 100 songs to his credit and had done radio commercials. With over 40 years as a professional lead guitar player, band leader, writer, composer, and singer, he had the ability to play most any song someone yells out. He had been called today's modern "Walking Wurlitzer Juke Box", the original music man. He could take you on a trip through time from the 20's through each decade; his favorite being the 50's, including TV commercials, shows to current pop songs. He had a vast knowledge of Rock & Roll trivia and loved to host 50's trivia contests & car shows. He also taught many people guitar, keyboards, and bass who then went on to play in successful bands.

Alan had a 1957 Chevy/Bel Air for 24 years that he restored himself and enjoyed taking it to gigs and talking to other 50’s car buffs. He also had an old Harley Sportster.

His best friend and wife, Lori “Roxy” Garber lended her dynamic vocals to his current project "Ace & Roxy Rock N Blues Expedition Band." She sang the female leads & duet cover songs & in back-up of Alan’s original songs & percussion. They loved making music with their Five Piece Band who included Kurt Darrow on Bass, Paul Russell on harp, "Captain" Ken Eddy on Harp & Keyboards and Joe Dollar from Mariposa on drums. They played with many different musicians and different venues here in the Foothills of Yosemite in Coarsegold, Oakhurst, North Fork, Fresno, Madera, and Awhanee They could get your feet tappin'! No disc jockey can carry as many hits as they could play! Ace was known as the “Walking Jukebox”.

Those who love Alan will greatly miss him and his music. May Ace’s memory be a beautiful song that we carry in our hearts forever…