A THANKSGIVING MEMORY,
THE BAND, BOB DYLAN
AND
THE LAST WALTZ.
One of the first things I did when I moved to San Francisco in 1976 was to write to Bill Graham and "in a polite way" ask him
for a job. I wrote that when I lived in New York I used to go to many of the concerts he put on at the Fillmore East and recently saw four of the Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young shows that he presented nationwide in 1974.
I told him that I just moved to San Francisco and that I was wondering if he had any kind of jobs available.
Bill Graham gave my letter to the head of security for concerts
in San Francisco and the Bay Area. I became a "blue coat" and began working at concerts at Winterland in San
Francisco, Day on the Green's in Oakland and the Greek Theater in Berkeley. I was one of those guys who would check you for
beer or whiskey bottles when you walked into a concert or tell you to keep the aisles clear during the show.
Beginning in March 1976 I worked at such shows as
The Kinks, Blue Oyster Cult, Rush and Tom Petty and the Heartbreaker's first show ever in San Francisco, The Who and The Grateful Dead in Oakland, Jefferson Starhip in Berkeley, etc. In November 1976 was a very special concert.
The Last Waltz was a concert by the Canadian-American rock group, The Band, held on Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 1976, at Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco.
Billed as a "farewell" concert after 16 years of touring,The Band was joined by more than a dozen special guests,
including Eric Clapton, Neil Diamond, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Ringo Starr, Muddy Waters, Dr. John, and Neil Young.
This was a major concert held on a Thanksgiving day. Bill Graham knew how to do it right.
Winterland began life around 1919 as a huge skating rink with seats ringing the venue at ice and balcony levels.
Looking like a Roman coliseum with a capacity of about 5,400, Winterland's acts played literally at center stage, and patrons could sit or dance as the spirit moved them.
I thought it was one of the greatest places to hold a concert.
On the day of the concert Winterland
was decorated like an opera house. Graham made it look elegant - it didn't look like a rock hall on this special day.
Before the guests were let into the concert all the staff was treated to a full Thanksgiving dinner, then the guests (concert-goers) were let in and they were given a full Thanksgiving dinner while the
Berkeley Promenade Orchestra played. I worked on the main floor, not too far from the stage, guarding one of the cameraman.
Martin Scorsese was filming the concert for a movie. During the show I kept hearing the cameraman say stuff like, "Yes Marty, I got the shot," or "Marty we need...."
It was a day I'll never forget!!!
Photos Courtesy of The Band Web Site and MGM Pictures.
The Band opened the show with a set of songs before bring out any guest stars.
Photo from Michael Ochs Archives.
Rick Danko (left) and Robbie Robertson smile as they play.
Joni Mitchell performs the song "Coyote."
Left to right, it's Neil Young, Joni Mitchell and Robbie Robertson.
Muddy Waters performs "Mannish Boy." during the show.
Left to right, it's Van Morrison, Bob Dylan and Robbie Robertson.
Bob Dylan performs "Forever Young" at the Last Waltz.
Bob Dylan performing with the Band.
Bob Dylan and Robbie Robertson,
Photo by Shinya Watanabe.
From the Japanese music magazine Record Collectors, June 2002.
Ron Wood from the Rolling Stones was one of the guest stars at the show.
Eric Clapton plays guitar. "Further On Up the Road" was one of the songs Clapton played that night.That's Levon Helm behind him.
Van Morrison (left) sings "Tura-Lura Lural" with the Band.
Notice the beautiful decorations on the stage.
Van Morrison (left) and Rick Danko.
It's Neil Young.
Joni Mitchell and Neil Young performs the CSN&Y classic "Helpless" together.
Another shot of Dylan.
Ringo Starr guest starred near the end of the show.
Part of the big jam near the end of the show.
Part of the big jam at the end of the show.
To the far left that's Dr. John and Neil Diamond.
Martin Scorsese rehearses with Emylou Harris.
The Staple Singers recorded their songs after the concert in the studio.
The poster for the movie "The Last Waltz."
WELL THAT'S ALL FOLKS!
I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!
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IF YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS. THANKS!