From the first public Mime Troupe events in 1965 to his untimely death in 1991, Bill Graham set the standard for excellence in concert presentations and in doing so, redefined the art of communication for an entire generation. To honor Bill Graham, Steve Kahn and Melissa Gold, the BGP staff organized a free concert in Golden Gate Park for Sunday, November 3. Mother Nature cooperated and…entire summary
Joan Baez - vocals
Graham Nash - vocals
Kris Kristofferson - vocals
From the first public Mime Troupe events in 1965 to his untimely death in 1991, Bill Graham set the standard for excellence in concert presentations and in doing so, redefined the art of communication for an entire generation. To honor Bill Graham, Steve Kahn and Melissa Gold, the BGP staff organized a free concert in Golden Gate Park for Sunday, November 3. Mother Nature cooperated and provided a comfortable and cloudless day as 300,000 people gathered in the Polo Field of Golden Gate Park.
Although the Grateful Dead were expected to make an appearance, the list of performers was kept well under wraps and few had any idea who exactly would be performing. It didn't seem to matter though, as the feeling that permeated the crowd was one of quiet reflection. This concert marked the end of an era, but also memorialized Bill Graham in a manner that was fitting - a free concert in the heart of where it all started. The sad circumstances aside, this was truly a celebration of Graham's life and as the poster for this event noted, it was to be a day filled with Laughter, Love and Music.
After a remarkable set by the Grateful Dead to end a remarkable day, there was one more brief performance, as Joan Baez, flanked by Graham Nash and Kris Kristofferson, took the stage. She leads the crowd through a stirring rendition of "Amazing Grace" as a final statement on all that had transpired.
Jerry Pompili and Wavy Gravy thank everyone and provide a few brief closing announcements before the day ends with "Greensleeves" playing over the P.A. system, just like countless Fillmore and Winterland shows from decades ago.
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