Throwback Thursday | Legends Combine For Bill Graham Tribute

Rock impresario Bill Graham became the biggest promoter in the industry after fleeing Germany via France during the holocaust. After growing up in NYC he moved to San Francisco, where he went on to promote thousands of shows from all types of bands and at venues of all sizes. Just as Graham was entering the twilight of his career and was able to enjoy the fruits of his labor, he was taken from us when he perished in a helicopter accident on October 25, 1991.

Shortly after his death, members of Graham’s organization started organizing a tribute concert that was to be held in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. The lineup for the free event was kept under wraps until the day of the show. By the time the marathon concert was over a who’s who of rock royalty had taken the stage including Santana, Joan Baez, Jackson Browne, Aaron Neville and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. One of the last sets at the tribute came from the Grateful Dead, who were joined by guests Neil Young, John Popper and John Fogerty at various points during their performance.

Let’s look at pro-shot footage of the Grateful Dead’s set from the Bill Graham Tribute Concert held in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park on November 3, 1991:

Tracklist: Hell In A Bucket, China Cat Sunflower, I Know You Rider, Wang Dang Doodle*, Born On The Bayou**, Green River**, Bad Moon Rising**, Proud Mary**, Truckin’, The Other One, Wharf Rat, Sunshine Daydream, Forever Young***, Touch Of Grey

* w/John Popper -harp
** w/John Fogerty -guitar, vocals
*** w/Neil Young -guitar, vocals