THE FILLMORE FAREWELL
DVD Debut Of Out-Of-Print Documentary Captures A Grand Send-Off For The Fillmore West With Performances By The Grateful Dead, Santana, And More
Available June 2 From Rhino Records
LOS ANGELES – When the legendary rock impresario Bill Graham closed the Fillmore West in 1971, the San Francisco venue had become an institution, an integral part of the West Coast music scene in the ’60s. Always the showman, Graham made sure the Fillmore West was sent off in a blaze of glory, scheduling five nights of concerts featuring bands like the Grateful Dead and Santana - that got their start at this storied concert hall. Both the madness leading up to the shows and the concerts were filmed for FILLMORE: THE LAST DAYS, a documentary originally released in 1972. Long out-of-print, Rhino and the Bill Graham Memorial Foundation present the DVD debut of this film on June 2. It will be available from all retail outlets, including www.rhino.com, for a suggested list price of $19.99. FILLMORE: THE LAST DAYS is part of special programming airing on PBS stations in May and June 2009 (please check local listings).
The film stands as a vivid time capsule that captures an era in rock history when music had become a major industry and—for some—a huge headache. It delivers a gritty, behind-the-scenes look at the music business at a time when many artists were growing jaded by their success, demanding more and more. Disillusioned by the change, Graham decided to get out, pulling the curtain down with five days of concerts that ended on July 4, 1971.
In the end, the frantic preparations paid off with a host of marvelous performances from a range of artists who made up what was called “The San Francisco Sound.” FILLMORE: THE LAST DAYS features highlights from all five nights, including songs by the Grateful Dead (“Casey Jones,” “Johnny B. Goode”); Santana (“Incident At Neshabur,” “In A Silent Way”); Quicksilver Messenger Service (“Mojo,” “Fresh Air”); Jefferson Airplane (“Volunteers”/“We Can Be So Good Together”); along with performances by Cold Blood, Hot Tuna, and Lamb. Author and original Rolling Stone editor Ben Fong-Torres wrote the liner notes for the DVD.
The Bill Graham Memorial Foundation was formed in November of 1991 following the death of legendary rock impresario, Bill Graham. The goal of the Foundation is to continue Bill’s good work in assisting those whose needs are oftentimes not noticed or served by larger philanthropic organizations. Currently, the Foundation awards grants primarily in the areas of music, the arts, and education, while also supporting social work, environmental protection, and spiritual and compassionate projects in the community.
FILLMORE: THE LAST DAYS
DVD Track Listing
“Hello Friends” – Lamb
“You Got Me Hummin’” – Cold Blood
“I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free” – Cold Blood
“Candy Man” – Hot Tuna
“Uncle Sam Blues” – Hot Tuna
Rehearsal Jam – The Rowan Brothers
“Isn’t It Just A Beautiful Day” – Lamb
“Fresh Air” – Quicksilver Messenger Service
“Mojo” - Quicksilver Messenger Service
“Volunteers”/ “We Can Be So Good Together” – Jefferson Airplane
“Noodle” – Jerry Garcia
Rehearsal Jam – Jerry Garcia with New Riders Of The Purple Sage
“Casey Jones” – Grateful Dead
“Johnny B. Goode” – Grateful Dead
“White Bird” – It’s A Beautiful Day
“The Sky Is Crying” – The Elvin Bishop Group
“Incident At Neshabur” – Santana
“In A Silent Way”/ “Jam” – Santana
“In A Silent Way” – Santana
# # #