America’s most famous music promoter, Bill Graham, is perhaps more responsible for the nation’s Rock and Roll scene than any musician. His famous music venues, the Fillmore East (featured in our last newsletter) and the Fillmore West redefined Rock and Roll culture. Unlike most promoters who stay backstage, Graham had his own style of promotion — he is frequently remembered for walking onto center stage during a New Years Eve midnight show dressed in costume. Graham hosted concerts as if they were his own party; no detail was too small to make his guests feel welcome (after every show there were even apples left out for concert-goers). As a European Jew, Graham openly supported Jewish causes, which made him a target; his office was bombed in 1985, shortly after he protested Regan visiting a Nazi cemetary. In 1991, Bill Graham tragically died in a helicopter crash. In his honor, San Francisco justly named the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium.
Fillmore West
Many attribute San Francisco’s hippie culture to Bill Graham. He united the city’s music scene in the 60’s. Graham ran both the Fillmore East and the Fillmore West, which closed in 1971. Like it’s eastern counterpart, the Fillmore West placed many budding musicians on the map in its short six years.. Some of the Fillmore West’s most notable shows include Black Sabbath (1970), Elton John (1970), The Who (1969), Van Morrison (1970), and Miles Davis (1970). After almost 50 years, the iconic venue has recently reopened with a new name: SVN West.