Live at the Fillmore East and West: Getting Backstage and Personal with Rock's Greatest Legends

by John Glatt

In 1968, rock promoter Bill Graham launched the Fillmore East in New York City and the Fillmore West in San Francisco, changing music forever. For three years, every major rock band played the Fillmores, performing legendary Jimi Hendrix, the Grateful Dead, Santana, Jefferson Airplane, Led Zeppelin, Cream, the Allman Brothers, and many more. Author John Glatt tells the story of the Fillmores through the lives of Bill Graham, Janis Joplin, Grace Slick, Carlos Santana, and an all-star supporting cast. Joplin opened the Fillmore East and delivered some of her greatest performances there and at its San Francisco twin. Carlos Santana grew up as a performer at the Fillmore West after being discovered by Graham on audition night. Always unpredicatable, Grace Slick’s electrifying Jefferson Airplane was the de facto resident band at both Fillmores. Chronicling the East and West Coast cultures of the late ’60s and early '70s—New York City with its speed, heroin, and the Velvet Underground versus San Francisco with the LSD-drenched Summer of Love—Glatt reveals how Graham the made it all possible . . . that is, until August 1969 when Woodstock changed everything and musicians suddenly realized their power.     But why did Bill Graham shutter both Fillmores within weeks of each other in 1971, during the height of their popularity? Live at the Fillmore East and West reveals how Graham’s claim that “The flowers wilted and the scene changed,” was not quite the whole story.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, History, Audiobook, Biography, Rock N Roll

432 pages, Hardcover

First published December 2, 2014

About the author

English-born John Glatt is the author of Golden Boy Lost and Found, Secrets in the Cellar, Playing with Fire, and many other bestselling books of true crime. He has more than 30 years of experience as an investigative journalist in England and America. Glatt left school at 16 and worked a variety of jobs—including tea boy and messenger—before joining a small weekly newspaper. He freelanced at several English newspapers, then in 1981 moved to New York, where he joined the staff for News Limited and freelanced for publications including Newsweek and the New York Post. His first book, a biography of Bill Graham, was published in 1981, and he published For I Have Sinned, his first book of true crime, in 1998. He has appeared on television and radio programs all over the world, including ABC- 20/20Dateline NBC, Fox News, Current Affair, BBC World, and A&E Biography. He and his wife Gail divide their time between New York City, the Catskill Mountains and London.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/johnglatt

Reviews

[Don Gorman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This isn't a great book but it is so near and dear to my heart I had to give it 3 stars. I was in college when most of this went down: on the radio, playing in a band and then a few year later, after the Fillmores were up and running, I was a part owner of a record store and in the comcert business. Bill Graham was an icon, a God to many of us wannabe's in the industry. His story, told many times and many places, is fascinating. The vignettes about the artists here are amazing, and the behind the scenes information is very cool as well. The book is a bit disjointed but it sure takes me back to a wondeful time in my life and I was glad for the journey.

[Ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great and fast read. I feel like I know Janis, personally.

[Richard Block · Rating 2 out of 5]

Me Too???

This sordid tale of sex, drugs and rock and roll delivers exactly what it says on the tin. John Glatt writes in exclamation points about the various 'talents' that made the Fillmore the leading SF and NYC rock venue - and it's not a pretty tale.

However talented and driven Bill Graham was, he comes across as a selfish, raging psycho capable of anything. Of course his childhood, marred by the Holocaust, was a springboard to his pathology. In the cases of Janis Joplin, Grace Slick, Carlos Santana, etc- each has a horror story that would make your head spin. These egomaniacs had no inhibitions or boundaries and their success is a result of their mindless drive. The women in particular, shock. They are mindlessly rapacious, and f**k and suck anyone, male or female. You kind of agree with the repulsive Harvey Weinstein when he says he is a product of the late 1960's and early 1970's - if he was as good looking as, say, Warren Beatty, no one would have blinked an eye about his lechery.

Glatt believes these people and others, like the Grateful Dead, the Allman Brothers, etc are all geniuses that are unmatched. Well, good luck to you if that's what you believe. The breathless groupie writing is genuinely terrible. He gets 2 * for his research on the chronicling every artist and event - you can't say he didn't try. I do appreciate what Bill Graham did for NYC music - I attended the Fillmore East a few times in it's heyday - he did make the sound 1000 times better, and he was right about what large venues do to rock music. Defeated by the market he bitched about, he jumped back in and made an even bigger fortune.

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

For someone who grew up during the "classic rock" period, this book is a treasure! It is a history of Bill Graham, the Fillmore East & West, and acts that were crucial to the birth and success of the beginning of the rock concert industry. The book focuses on the Jefferson Airplane, Janis Joplin, and Carlos Santana as they become successful to a large extent because of the work of Bill Graham. Not that he was the idealist he liked to promote himself as!

This is as close as I will ever get to savoring the types of concerts that Graham put together, with 2 and sometimes 3 acts who could all be headliners. Hendrix, the Grateful Dead, Ten Years After, the Allman Brothers Band, Sly and the Family Stone . . . the list goes on and on.

I just wish the book had an appendix of live albums that were recorded at the Filmores. There are a couple that are among the top 3 or 4 live albums of all time!!

[Skip Jennings · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this right after reading Bill Graham's autobiography. There are a number of the same stories in both books, though this books tells some of them in a much less flattering (or self-serving) way. It also tries to tell these stories by focusing on the musical and personal lives of three other specific individuals: Grace Slick, Janis Joplin and Carlos Santana. Sometimes this takes the narrative far away from any of the Fillmores. But it was still a very enjoyable book, particularly if you are a late 60s/early 70s music aficionado.

[Roberta Westwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Top notch!

This book wasn’t just good, it was fantastic! All the great musicians of the day played at the Fillmore, so it was fascinating to hear about the ways all their lives intersected at the start of their careers: Janis Joplin, Gerry Garcia, Carlos Santana, and so many more. Excellent coverage of Janis Joplin’s final days, Gerry Garcia’s as well… it was moving to realize how close these two tragic events were. Highly recommended, especially if you grew up on 60’s and 70’s rock.

[Adam Morel · Rating 3 out of 5]

The rock and roll story of what must have been two great venues and the mean, drug addled humans who played there, exploiting their ability to play an instrument in order to satisfy their cravings like moths to a lightbulb. Many died like moths. Others reformed. Some continue. Fairly interesting but only for as long as the average rockstar is interesting when not playing.

[Donna Flemming · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was just ok. Some interesting tidbits mixed in with what was a lot of mundane information about various artists, that is also available from other books and articles you can easily find. If you're a music buff and can't get enough of this era in rock history, it is probably worth reading or listening on audio.

[George Kanakaris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually the story of Janis Joplin, Santana, Jefferson Airplane ang Jimi Hendrix and their visits to the Fillmore East and West concert halls. It is also a biography of the notorious Bill Graham.Yet a small mistake: Jimi Hendrix did not play 'Voodoo Child' at Monterey. The song did not even exist in 1967. A nitpicker who pays attention to that, right?

[Ronnie Cramer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some interesting stories about people we've all "known" for years. Nobody comes off particularly well. It strikes me as bizarre that is was once a common (and accepted!) practice to dose an unsuspecting person with LSD or other drug.

[Msgregoire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent read.

Interesting book supposedly about the Fillmores but really about owner and operator Bill Graham. Detailed stories about how the music moved from a naive flower power world, to what it has become today.

[Rob Miech · Rating 5 out of 5]

Punks at Fillmore East sniffing Freon? Yeah ... instant freezing of the lungs, and death. Don't like needles? Don't peek inside this one. But it is fascinating, a fantastic trip back to a wild era and the main figures who were destined for short lives.

[Barbara Gottlock · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well-documented tome with a great index and bibliography making it a handy reference to the crazy 60s and 70s music scene on both coasts. Packed with interesting interviews. I discovered a few errors but, in a book this size, it's understandable.

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating story of Bill Graham's time running the Fillmore theatres and those key artists on the scene at the time. However, it is also a look at how the cities and music changed, along with the people as fame took over so many talents. Fascinating.

[Peter Moreira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating! I loved Glatt's portrayal of Bill Graham, and his descriptions of Santana, Janis and Grace Slick were tremendous. I was curious why the Grateful Dead didn't play a bigger role in the book.

[Erik Steevens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book

[Bruce · Rating 2 out of 5]

A lot of stuff I lived thru. A nice walk down memory lane but...

[Larry · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very sweet and fun history of Bill Graham and his Fillmore Theaters.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learn a lot about Bill Graham, the type of person he was and how he ran
the Fillmores.
I won this book on Goodreads.

[Jeff Kerper · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nasty negative spin on the scene. Nothing new here, some dirt the author uncovered and a bunch of BS. Stick with 'Bill Graham Presents'. That has all the great war stories.

[Kyle Kibbe]

The author and I have a difference of opinion concerning Emerson, Lake and Palmer's Filmore East Debut. John, If you are out there, let's discuss!
Best,
Kyle

[George · Rating 3 out of 5]

Appreciated all the additional details on an awesome time for music. But the book lost its way with too many focus areas and should probably have been edited down.

[Jimagn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, having been there at the time. I thought it was well researched and entertainingly presented. I recall having heard rumors of some of the things that are written here. I appreciated seeing substantiated material that fills in some of what I recall and much of what I forgot or missed because of my own inattention and other distractions. It was a very interesting time.

[Adriana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Basically a set of short biographies of several of the major West coast musicians of the late 60’s, as their lives and careers become connected to legendary promoter and club owner Bill Graham and his Fillmore clubs. I admit to being a fan of the music but not knowing much about most of the major groups beyond Joplin and Hendrix, so seeing how most of their careers were intertwined with the legendary Fillmore was incredibly interesting.
Each chapter jumps around between the stories of several groups and individuals, making the writing feel a bit off at times and somewhat disjointed if you’re not paying close attention.
The overall feeling is that the author is never sure if Graham was a good guy or the vile thief that many make him out to be, he gives compiled the information that’s out there and lets the reader make their own decision.
What is definitely on the page is a clear understanding of the importance that both the Fillmores and Graham had to a moment in music history that changed the game of rock & roll forever.

It might not be the book for you if you approach it with nothing more than a passing interest in the era’s music. There are names, places and records mentioned that are likely to confuse a casual reader.
On the other hand, there’s nothing particularly new or never-before-revealed in it, so it might not be a great book for super fans or those who are very well versed in the topic.

This review is based on an ARC I got thru Goodread’s First Reads.

[Ray Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Glatt begins with a series of biographical sketches of bands and individuals which the book continues to focus on. this is not a broad or diverse portrait of a venue, but rather a biography of a series of bands that made their reputations at the Fillmores. Janis Joplin, the Jefferson Airplane, Santana, Hendrix and the Allman Brothers are the focus of the book. Of course there is the framework of Bill Graham and his Fillmores, but if you expected back stage stories, as the publisher's promo material describes, you will be disappointed.

Never the less, if you love the period, you'll here classic recording in your head as Platt describes the circumstance of classic performances and the size and fall of the iconic acts that define the period and the venue.

I enjoyed this. I am a child of the 60s and 70s and recall this music fondly though I never visited these the Fillmores. The years of the heyday of the Fillmore are among the best days of "classic rock". Glatt covers the period warmly and with interesting details, though not necessarily "backstage", the book is a terrific "rockumentary". Well worth a read if you enjoy the period or the music.

[Drew · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Although a bit redundant in format, the book details the startup, heyday and final days of the Fillmore ( & Fillmore West) in San Francisco, and the Fillmore East in New York. The book focuses on megalomaniac Bill Graham and his machinations in dominating the first wave of big-scale rock concerts. The focus on the artists is basically on the big ones: Janis Joplin, Santana, The Grateful Dead, The Doors, Jefferson Airplane, with some of the lesser bands (Mountain, Allman Brothers Band) sprinkled in. There's a good bit of salacious dirt on the sex/drugs/rock'n'roll lifestyle of these groups. Some folks may find this distateful, but for me, it was kinda cool to live in the past vicariously through the stories of these artists, a real escape, and much needed from the horrors of the present. John Glatt is a top-notch writer, really putting you back there in the 60s, with all the the political and societal upheaval. I'd say he's close to being on-par with David Browne in writing on rock history. Most of what Glatt has written since has been in the True Crime genre. He's good, I recommend him. A fun read of a tumultuous time, with some vital music.

[Teressa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I purchased this audiobook for a road trip for me and my man to listen to while traveling and we loved it. It brought back memories for him growing up around San Fransisco during that era. He's seen many of these groups. Mostly Winterland, Berkeley Community Theater, Altamont Speedway and Sacramento Memorial Auditorium. He's several years older than myself but nothing in this book was lost on me.

I found the audiobook to be really good. It was a big piece of rock n' roll history where through Phil Graham, many of these groups received exposure. It was equally fun listening to some of the stories about some of my rock heroes such as Santana, Janis Joplin, Jefferson Airplane, and Grateful Dead along with many others including Quicksilver Messenger Service.

Overall, this was a really good purchase providing several hours of enjoyment. Peter Berkrot did a great job narrating this audiobook. No complaints from hubby. He thought it was a perfect fit.

[StevenF · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not much 'heart" in the book... Lots of gossip and collected interesting quotes ,to keep you wanting to come back for more.But many times it feels like "piss alley" journalism and lacks passion and depth. It would have benefitted from a more counter/cultural context, but sadly,that obviously wasn't this author's Sixty's experience. There's the rub. As for Graham... we see the good bad,and ugly.The account left me wishing the Family Dog had not been screwed over by him. What might have been?! Despite his good contributions, Graham's greedy capitalist values helped taint The Sixties experience for all of us fighting for a better way.You may feel like washing your hands after reading.

[Ken · Rating 3 out of 5]

I understand that it would be impossible to cover all of the musicians who played at the Fillmores East and West, but by limiting himself to extensive coverage of the Jefferson Airplane, Santana, the Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, and the Allman Brothers Band, I think that Glatt has sold the story short. While it's true that all of those bands were stars in Bill Graham's venues, there were so many other stories that could be told. I also could have done without the more tawdry details of Janis Joplin's life in particular. Aside from that, I think Glatt did a good job of describing what went on behind the scenes in the two theaters during their heyday.

[Gwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Want to read about Bill Graham? Want to read about Jefferson Airplane or Janis Joplin or The Grateful Dead or The Allman Brothers or Santana or many more rock icons? You'll find them in the pages of Live at the Fillmore East and West: Getting Backstage and Personal. There are stories of some of the artists beginnings and several behind the scenes look at their exploits. You will find a biography of Bill Graham throughout the book. This is his story. This was his life.

I recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about the music scene of the late 60s and early 70s.