I remember the first time I saw Bill "in action" and to this day I still find it amazing. It was in June of 1970, my brother and I had gone over to the Fillmore West to see John Sebastian and Buddy Miles (I can't recall who was the opener) and while waiting in line, when Bill came out to look over the line (something he did regularly) some hippy started giving him grief -- the entire "Capitalist Pig, concerts should be free" spiel he hit Bill's last nerve and he turned around and cut that guy off at the knees, six inches at a cut, he NEVER used one swear word, never raised his voice, but by the time he was done, the hippy walked away with his head hanging and Bill got an ovation from the rest of us in line! Bill could turn on the "New York Jew" character so effectively and in the next instant he would bend over backwards for a patron at the show. He made no secret of being in business, yet he would insist on giving the utmost respect and consideration for those that paid their hard earned money to see one of his shows. He was one of a kind and I still miss him some thirty years after we lost him! The best job I ever had and the best boss I ever had!!!
As one who had the pleasure of working for Bill Graham Presents while Bill was still with us, one of the first things one learned is that you didn't so much work for Bill, as you worked WITH Bill. There was no part of the business that he couldn't do and was willing to do as well, if not better than pretty much anyone else. Most of us looked up to him as both a role model and a mentor. It was a joy to be part of his organization!
So lucky you got your work with him. A lot of amazing people and cultural icons thrived in Northern California at that time. Great to hear how good and kind he was
I saw the dead in Oakland right after bill passed - it was a heavy night! You could tell how upset the band was but kept up Bill’s spirit of ‘going on with the show’ … he promoted a lot of great iconic acts and was far ahead of his time…
..sadly, not enough of Bill Graham on here on the Tube, this is indeed a treat! - quite astonishing, the rich tapestry of your contributions, Mr. Giller - Thank You Sincerely!!
The finest live concert ever was played at Mr Bill Graham's Winterland Arena in 1976 when the cream of the Rock world assembled on stage for The Band's final concert called The Last Waltz ! It signaled the end for the most respected and admired group of the Rock era and also the end of the Rock era .... Brilliant and poignant too !
Nobody, and I mean *nobody* did live rock the way BGP did. Bill Graham was a force of nature, and one of THE great American success stories. Read *"LIVE AT THE FILMORE EAST/WEST"* What a life he led. You will be humbled.
Letterman completely flunked this interview in my opinion Bill Graham could be the most interesting interview there is thoughtfully eloquent with plenty to say about a lot of interesting experiences it took Letterman 8 minutes to let the man talk
Ahh Winterland So Many Great Shows I Saw There. Hippies Calling him All Kinds of Names ,Hey Bill Shows Should Be Free Answer What A Pipe Dream That Idea Is Bill Put The Concert Business on The Map The Rest Can only Dream of Having His Vision Not Only Was He The Best No One Else Comes Close
I sat in line on the side of Winterland for 14 hours to get a ticket to a Dead show one time, At 5pm buckets of KFC got passed down the line complements of Bill..
I remember the first time I saw Bill "in action" and to this day I still find it amazing. It was in June of 1970, my brother and I had gone over to the Fillmore West to see John Sebastian and Buddy Miles (I can't recall who was the opener) and while waiting in line, when Bill came out to look over the line (something he did regularly) some hippy started giving him grief -- the entire "Capitalist Pig, concerts should be free" spiel he hit Bill's last nerve and he turned around and cut that guy off at the knees, six inches at a cut, he NEVER used one swear word, never raised his voice, but by the time he was done, the hippy walked away with his head hanging and Bill got an ovation from the rest of us in line! Bill could turn on the "New York Jew" character so effectively and in the next instant he would bend over backwards for a patron at the show. He made no secret of being in business, yet he would insist on giving the utmost respect and consideration for those that paid their hard earned money to see one of his shows. He was one of a kind and I still miss him some thirty years after we lost him! The best job I ever had and the best boss I ever had!!!
As one who had the pleasure of working for Bill Graham Presents while Bill was still with us, one of the first things one learned is that you didn't so much work for Bill, as you worked WITH Bill. There was no part of the business that he couldn't do and was willing to do as well, if not better than pretty much anyone else. Most of us looked up to him as both a role model and a mentor. It was a joy to be part of his organization!
Exactly what my sister said about Bill. You and my sis and BIL probably knew each other. She's in r n' r Heaven now. z"l
So lucky you got your work with him. A lot of amazing people and cultural icons thrived in Northern California at that time. Great to hear how good and kind he was
I saw the dead in Oakland right after bill passed - it was a heavy night! You could tell how upset the band was but kept up Bill’s spirit of ‘going on with the show’ … he promoted a lot of great iconic acts and was far ahead of his time…
..sadly, not enough of Bill Graham on here on the Tube, this is indeed a treat! - quite astonishing, the rich tapestry of your contributions, Mr. Giller - Thank You Sincerely!!
One of my all time favorite humans.
I'm reading Bill's book, it's great.
yeah that stuff about his childhood was really something.. walking from Eastern Europe to escape the Nazis
A great book about a great guy.
It's an excellent book!
The finest live concert ever was played at Mr Bill Graham's Winterland Arena in 1976 when the cream of the Rock world assembled on stage for The Band's final concert called The Last Waltz ! It signaled the end for the most respected and admired group of the Rock era and also the end of the Rock era .... Brilliant and poignant too !
A survivor of to many wars. Endless admiration. ❤
I’ve always been a great admirer of his…especially growing up in Northern California where it all got started. Rest in peace, sir. You are a legend.
❤ a great tragedy that he left us like he did.
The stories. What a loss.
Nobody, and I mean *nobody* did live rock the way BGP did. Bill Graham was a force of nature, and one of THE great American success stories. Read *"LIVE AT THE FILMORE EAST/WEST"* What a life he led.
You will be humbled.
Letterman completely flunked this interview in my opinion
Bill Graham could be the most interesting interview there is
thoughtfully eloquent with plenty to say about a lot of interesting experiences
it took Letterman 8 minutes to let the man talk
Bill called the Fillmore a skating rink it was Winterland that was the skating rink.
The Fillmore Auditorium was once the Ambassador Roller Skating Rink.
@@tonybiancalana6190 Didnt know that Tony.
Winterland!,yea, brings
back memories"
Ahh Winterland So Many Great Shows I Saw There. Hippies Calling him All Kinds of Names ,Hey Bill Shows Should Be Free Answer What A Pipe Dream That Idea Is Bill Put The Concert Business on The Map The Rest Can only Dream of Having His Vision Not Only Was He The Best No One Else Comes Close
And Always Capitalize Every Word. (Narrator: Please don’t.)
I sat in line on the side of Winterland for 14 hours to get a ticket to a Dead show one time, At 5pm buckets of KFC got passed down the line complements of Bill..
A great candidate for American Masters on PBS
Uncle Bobo!
Too bad dave rushed this with no interest