Last Days of the Fillmore
Starring: Various ArtistsDirector: Various
Studio: Rhino Records
MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Format: Color, Compilation, DVD, Live, NTSC
Running Time: 160 minutes
DVD Release: June 2nd 2009
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DVD Review
Legendary rock impresario Bill Graham closed the Fillmore West in early summer 1971 with five nights of all-star concerts, the last curtain going down on July 4. The storied San Francisco venue had become an institution, an integral part of the West Coast music scene of the '60s and, now, an essential element of the
mythology of rock 'n' roll. Always the showman, Graham made sure the Fillmore West was sent off in a blaze of glory, spotlighting bands - including the Grateful Dead and Santana-that rose to fame at the hall. The madness leading up to the
shows and the concerts themselves were filmed for FILLMORE: THE LAST DAYS, a gritty, behind-the-scenes look at a fascinating moment in rock history and a showcase for great performances by iconic artists who epitomized 'the San Francisco
Sound.' Originally released in 1972 and long out-of-print, the documentary film makes its DVD debut with Rhino's landmark reissue.
User Reviews
Fantastic stuff - Rating: 5/5
This is great for the person interested in the San Francisco Bay Area Music Scene. Great shots of the Fillmore, and Billy behind the scenes. Also some cool music clips of the bay bands. Def worth the look.
A COMPLETE WASTE - Rating: 1/5
This is a terrible film. The interviews, the music ---- EVERYTHING SUCKS!!!! ... and I should have known that this would be a depressing film. I graduated from high school in 1971. The movement was jaded, drugged-out and tired by that time. Even QUICKSILVER looks burned-out in this film. The only thing worth watching is ELVIN BISHOP.
I will suggest that the producers of this just start over. Make a film of some of the 1967 and 1968 concerts. That's when the LIVE ART was really cooking.
There were many fine records released in 1971. These live performances however, SUCK!!!
Boz is Long Gone from this film. - Rating: 2/5
Unfortunately the best part of the original release is NOT on this DVD. Boz Scaggs singing "I'll Be Long Gone" was the highlight of this film when it first came out. I sat there slack-jawed as I watched this version and realized that Boz, for what ever reason, has been cut out. Major bummer.
Classic documentary of an epic concert hall - Rating: 5/5
Anyone who has heard of Bill Graham would love to see this film. Those who don't know who he was allow me to define him as the best concert promoter in rock history. When Artie Kornfeld and Mike Lang of Woodstock were having troubles at the beginning of that famous festival, they called Bill Graham for his advise and assistance. Bill Graham agreed to assist with Woodstock on one condition, that he could bring one of his brand new San Francisco bands along for the show. He showed up, and the band he brought were Santana, the rest is history.
This doco features how Bill Graham worked behind the hippy SF scene in the post-Woodstock-era. It shows him blasting band managers on the phone, yet preparing the crowd for a very memorable week of music during the final week of that famous rock theatre.
It shows The Grateful Dead-Santana-Elvin Bishop Band-Jefferson Airplane-Hot Tuna, and many more bands.
The crowd reactions and reflections of that era are encased within this film.
If you want to know what that time was like,or if you'd like a wonderful reminder from that time, buy this film. You'll love it!
A disappointment - Rating: 2/5
Although it was nice to see a few of the more obscure bands from that era, and the Hot Tuna, Quicksilver Messenger Service, and Grateful Dead segments were done well, I was eagerly looking forward to seeing Carlos Santana's performance with his original band lineup. What a disappointment! The person who filmed that segment must have had a grudge against Carlos, because there was not a single shot of him playing - only the other members of the band were shown during the set. Someone should have taken the camera away from that guy, smacked him upside his head, and filmed the guy who the band was named after!
I certainly don't think that this DVD was what I thought it would be. Avoid it.
