Bill Graham Memorial Foundation

Many of us loved the memories at last year's premiere of "Something in the Air," but if you missed it, good news -- two more screenings coming up!

SOMETHING IN THE AIR: A ROCK RADIO REVOLUTION ~ 4:30pm & 7:30pm — CINEMASF At 8 p.m. on Friday, April 7, 1967, Tom “Big Daddy” Donahue cracked open the microphone in the  KMPX studio at 50 Green Street in San Francisco, setting the stage for a radio revolution that has echoed across the airwaves forever. Something in the Air: A Rock Radio Revolution , is a wild

DOG days: Dave Zimmer, who was there, shares this from 1974.

We keep hearing how great this exhibition at SFMOMA San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is. It's on till August, so go see for yourself! And report back!

Art of Noise A multi-sensory exploration of how design has changed the way we’ve experienced music over the past 100 years.

This historic day in 1966: Lenny Bruce (in his final appearances) plus Frank Zappa et al. At the Fillmore.

Meanwhile at Sweetwater Music Hall:

Thank you to the organizations helping us achieve our mission of advancing education, understanding and appreciation of music in the Bay Area!

Through grants given to Sweetwater Music Hall, we can operate the venue and administer music appreciation and education programs. We'd like to extend our gratitude to the Bank of Marin this check along with Harbor Point Charitable Foundation, the Bill Graham Memorial Foundation, and Marine Layer for their recent contributions.

Support Sweetwater by becoming a member: sweetwatermusichall.com/donate

This day in 1967, as the Summer of Love starts to unfold...

Another memorable anniversary:

We were shocked and saddened to learn that the legendary Bill Walton has died. He's been such an important part of our lives for so long -- he and his big heart and excellent vibes will be sorely missed. Our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.

Memorial Day Weekend, 1966:

Tomorrow on Sirius XM, Jan Simmons and Big Steve Parish tell tales.

This just in from the Oregon Parkinson's Warriors Foundation!

The board of Oregon Parkinson’s Warriors Foundation is deeply grateful to the Bill Graham Memorial Foundation for its generous grant, so that we can create the first Parkinson’s dedicated gym in Eugene! One of the aspects that the Bill Graham board liked about our proposal was the fact that we are located in Eugene! Bill Graham had a soft spot in his heart for our town, where his company, Bill Graham Presents, produced a number of concerts over the years. Thank you, Bill! And thank you to the BGMF board! Cheers!

You too can support our cause by visiting our website at opwf.org!

We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of the Reverend Cecil Williams of Glide Memorial Church this morning. Our heartfelt condolences to his many loved ones, and many thanks for his tireless work on behalf of so many -- we will always miss him and celebrate his legacy in San Francisco and beyond.

Cecil Williams, longtime champion of the poor, co-founder of Glide church, dies at 94 Cecil Williams, longtime champion of the poor and founder of Glide Memorial Church in S.F.'s Tenderloin, dies

Thanks to Rusty Goldman for recalling this week, 55 years ago...

There's a Memorial Celebration of Life for Ed Stewart, who many of us remember from FM Productions, this Saturday, April 20, at 2 p.m. It's at the Marin Art and Garden Center, 30 Sir Francis Drake, in Ross; those of us who knew and/or worked with Ed are invited to come share stories and memories.
Marin Art and Garden Center

Check out the new album coming out Friday, paying tribute to Stanley Mouse! A lot of artists we know and love perform tunes from albums whose covers featured Stanley's art over the years, and it sounds pretty awesome. Proceeds benefit Blue Rose Music.

Stanley Mouse on new tribute album, life after stroke, his place in music history “The Mouse That Rocked: A Tribute to Stanley Mouse” features 12 tracks, mostly from North Bay musicians covering songs from albums for which Mouse created art or from bands for whom he made concert posters.

Back on this day in 1971, Buddy Miles was starting a four-night run at Winterland, with opening acts Sugarloaf and Wayne Cochran and the CC Riders.

And that's no April Fool...

Feel free to take a deep dive into the Show Archive: https://billgrahamfoundation.org/shows/the-fillmore-west-april-1-1971/

The Bill Graham Memorial Foundation is one of the hosts of this fine party, and you're invited! It's free, but space is limited, so best RSVP early.

The CJM | Rock Out with RetroBlakesberg Come together to explore RetroBlakesberg: The Music Never Stopped with an afternoon of music, photography, and fun with your community at The CJM. Enjoy live music by RetroBand, featuring Lebo, Steve, and Ezro from ALO; Elliott Peck from Midnight North; and more special guests; and gain unique insig...

Check out these Fillmore posters by Arlene Owseichik, now on view as part of the Women of Rock Art exhibition in SF. Also included among the many featured artists are quite a few women Arlene worked with in her many years as BGP Art Director. It’s a chance to see them all in one place, and learn their back stories and connections. On view at Haight Street Art Center through April 14.
https://haightstreetart.org/pages/women-of-rock-art

Spotlighted in the Women of Rock Art exhibition at the Haight Street Art Center is the pioneering Fillmore poster work of the legendary Bonnie MacLean. Among the art on view is her BG-79, from the memorable August 1967 shows with Cream and the Paul Butterfield Blues Band.

On view till April 14: https://haightstreetart.org/pages/women-of-rock-art

We all love this iconic and legendary photo of Bill by Michael Zagaris, and you can see it in person at LightSource-SF from now till the end of March as part of the long-deferred California Rocks! exhibition.

Details: https://www.facebook.com/events/1082179319661199/

Seasonal fun from days gone by, courtesy of Jay Blakesberg Photography!

2/16/88 -- Kaiser Convention Center, Oakland CA
©Jay Blakesberg Photography

Scott Wiseman takes us back to the press conference for Earthquake Relief, where Bill is in rare form:

SF Bay Area Earthquake Relief Press Conference 1989 SF Bay Area Earthquake Relief Press Conference 1989 When the San Francisco Bay Area was hit by the Loma Prieta earthquake of October 17, 1989, concert promoter Bill Graham organized some fifty music and comedy acts including Los Lobos; Santana; Crosby, Stills, & Nash; Bonnie Raitt; John Fogerty; Nei...

Last night's Sweet Relief Musicians Fund celebration of Ramblin' Jack Elliott was legendary and never to be forgotten, as all who were there can attest.

The event's online auction is still on but closes Wednesday afternoon, so go check out what's on offer, and maybe put in a bid.

Some pretty incredible items, like this set of 5 posters from Phil Lesh and Friends at the Warfield in 2008:

https://www.charitybuzz.com/support/sweetreliefmusiciansfund

There sure were a lot of fond memories of Honey Green shared last week, as we're all still feeling her loss. There will be an opportunity to share a lot more loving memories at her upcoming memorial at the Sweetwater February 11, so plan on being there.

On our website: Two versions of Saturday's iconic group photo by Jay Blakesberg Photography, in large files suitable for downloading and detailed viewing. See faces all the way at the back of the room...
https://billgrahamfoundation.org/large-group-photo-from-2024-bills-bash/

Tommy Lau took many pictures of our gathering. Find yourself! Tag yourself! And thanks for being there!

Speeches were made. Loved ones were remembered. Mark Portman recorded it for posterity.
Rita Gentry
Jerry Pompili

2024 Bill Bash & BGP Reunion @ The Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco, CA January 6, 2024 SAN FRANCISCO ROCK AND ROLL FAMILY REUNION - BILL'S BRUNCH BASH: Remembrances of Bill: read…

Jay Blakesberg Photography captures a moment at last weekend's Dead & Company finale.

Great article in the Marin Independent Journal about recent BGMF grantee Project Avary:

Marin camp comforts youths with incarcerated parents Project Avary, with the help of the Point Reyes National Seashore Association, offers a summer refuge along the coast for struggling children.

A word from Harold Hoogasian about his brother Larry, and the upcoming memorial.

LARRY HOOGASIAN
Lawrence Richard Hoogasian, known to most as Larry (or Uncle Lou) was a San Francisco Native, Richmond District Resident, Talented Florist, Active Rotarian and a Loving Friend to many.

Larry attended St. Monica's, St. Ignatius and obtained a degree in Architecture from UC Berkeley, but Larry ultimately chose the family business, Flowers.

At ease with politicians, rock stars and everyday people, Larry expressed his creativity and art with flowers, event décor and window displays. While working at the family flower stand at 250 Post, he watched & learned the art of window display design from the team at Gump's. In 1987, Hoogasian Flowers, under Larry's direction, was responsible for decorating St. Mary's Cathedral for visit of Pope John Paul II. Larry could regale about the Grateful Dead, Bill Graham and other notables. Larry's floral arrangements brought smiles to untold numbers of musicians, celebrities, and Bay Area residents. Although he never married, his family (including godchildren and dear friends) was large and loving.

Preceded in death by his parents, Harold & Theresa and his sister Camille. He is survived by his brother Harold, many nieces, nephews and godchildren. Larry was a loving, caring person with a great sense of humor. He will be deeply missed by family, friends and Rotarians.

We invite you to join us at McAvoy & O'Hara (4545 Geary Blvd) Monday, July 24 at 6pm for a rosary, Funeral Mass at St. Monica's Church (23rd & Geary) at 10am on Tuesday 25th and Internment to follow at Cypress Lawn Cemetery.

Know that flowers would be dandy, for sure. You can also rememberLarry with a donation to Rotary Club of Fisherman's Wharf, 101 Lombard Street , San Francisco, California 94111.