THE CLOSING OF FILLMORE WEST

Always been amazed by how a huge social movement, like the Hippie era, could implode in such a way in just a couple of years. It’s simply amazing, how it diverted from its biggest moment (Woodstock?), to its disappearance through internal combustion, (Altamont?), in only a few months interval. It is still a mystery to us. As a collateral effect to the disease that killed hippies, we can sadly read how after five years of Rock and three million fans, promoter Bill Graham padlocked the Fillmore West. The place where “San Francisco Sound” was born closed on July 5 1971. Of course the good bye, was sweetened with a blaring night which lasted until dawn with performances by Credence Clearwater Revival, The Grateful Dead & Santana among others. Dazed Bill Graham noted that night, how the “old joy” was gone as Rock new Superstars had become “capitalists” killing the community mindedness of the past. It was the end of ingenuity. The dollarization of music had arrived & accompanied the start of the dark and depressed 70’s which, to our content, brought us other kind of musical jewels for our ears.

Bill Graham with his crowd

Jimmy boy

Van Morrison

Creedence Clearwater Revival

The Grateful Dead

Aretha & Ray

The Who

Miles Davis