There were professional-grade mixing consoles, as well as a two-ton center cluster speaker system, suspended over the center of the stage using a series of fly weights. It consisted of twenty-six speakers, including some manufactured for civil defense alerts, strategically placed around the theater with a total power source of 35,000 watts. Graham then hired pioneering sound technician Bill Hanley to create a sound system for his new rock theater. The Hanley Sound System, as it became known, cost $35,000, and Graham only leased it from Hanley, who retained ownership. With three acts playing two shows a night, it was vital to streamline the operation and prevent bands from parking forty-foot trucks outside and lugging heavy equipment in and out of the building. Everything started came together.Īt the outset, Bill Graham wanted a state-of-the-art sound and lighting system, so bands would not have to bring in their own. ' The derelict building,' said future manager Kip Cohen, ' was actually converted into the Fillmore East in twelve unbelievable days.' John Morris, Joshua White, and Kip Cohen got down to business, bringing in Chip Monck as lighting director. As he had now announced it would open on March 8, there were less than two weeks to have it up and running. "When Bill Graham first set foot inside the venue, its condition could only be described as terrible.
In 1968, Bill Graham, looking to expand his small empire of music venues located in San Francisco decided to buy the Village Theater.
From time to time, it opened to present various rock & roll shows. Over the years, it took on various names and in the 1950's it was operating under the name of the Village Theater and operated as a venue that was known for its live music. Located at the southwest corner of Second Avenue and Sixth Street was a venue that opened in 1925 as a vaudeville theater. The Story of the Fillmore East begins here. This blog post is dedicated to my dear friend, Jeff Goldstein who spent many happy hours The Fillmore East
0 kommentar(er)
