‘Last Days Of The Fillmore’ Documentary Chronicles End Of Fillmore West

Impresario Bill Graham closed one of his most famous venues, San Francisco’s Fillmore West, with a series of concerts featuring Bay Area bands that climaxed on closing night – July 4, 1971. A 1972 movie Last Days of the Fillmore documents the music and behind-the-scenes machinations of the farewell to Fillmore West concerts starring Graham and featuring the music of Hot Tuna, Grateful Dead, Santana and others.

The Fillmore meant so much to Bill Graham and he wanted to make its farewell the best it could possibly be. While we dig the musical performances our favorite part of the movie is when we get to see Graham in action such as when the promoter kicks Mike Wilhelm out of his office towards the beginning of the film. The legendary impresario also shares his incredibly interesting life story. There’s no doubt Bill’s the star of Last Days of the Fillmore, but don’t miss out on the Grateful Dead performing “Casey Jones” & “Johnny B. Goode,” Hot Tuna’s “Candy Man” and Santana’s “In A Silent Way.”

[Originally Published: December 7, 2014]