Rockers pay tribute to Graham
Here is a look at the past. Items have been culled from The Chronicle’s archives of 25, 50, 75 and 100 years ago.
1991
Nov. 4: More than 300,000 people jammed a sun-drenched Polo Field in Golden Gate Park yesterday to hear some of the world’s bestknown musicians sing loving and heartfelt tributes to late concert promoter Bill Graham. Graham, who spent a quarter of a century producing concerts and benefits for the biggest stars in rock, died last week in Vallejo with two companions when his helicopter struck a power pole. His funeral was held last Monday, but yesterday’s free concert was his memorial: an amazing wake that brought together the Grateful Dead, a reunited Crosby Stills Nash and Young, John Fogerty, Jackson Browne, Joan Baez, Carlos Santana, Los Lobos, Tracy Chapman, Kris Kristofferson, Robin Williams, members of Journey and other stars. It was the kind of spectacular event that was the hallmark of Graham’s career. There were predictable elegies, but most of the tributes were wordless, as musicians expressed their gratitude by doing what they do best. “He made us look good,” said singer Neil Young, during an eight-song set with the reunited ’70s supergroup, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Their performance was opened by Graham Nash, who said, “Let’s sing for Bill” and then launched into “Teach Your Children,” a gentle musical lesson on transmitting love from one generation to the next.”
1966
Nov. 1: Mayor John F. Shelley’s veto of the 535-car garage proposed under Washington Square survived an attack from Supervisor William C. Blake. “I disagree with the mayor,” Blake told his colleagues “The Washington Square garage is necessary for the growth of San Francisco. Merchants want it. Businessmen want it. The only people who don’t want it are the people on Telegraph Hill. They’re against everything. They’re the most amazing people in San Francisco.” In addition to Blake, the garage was endorsed by Supervisors George Moscone, Terry Francois, Kevin O’Shea, Joseph M. Casey and John A. Ertola. Nov. 2: Sammy Davis Jr. danced into the spotlight under only one of his multiple banners — that of a Democrat. “That’s why I’m here, because I’m a Democrat,” he said as he delivered his super-energized 130 pounds of infinite entertaining talent at Winterland to headline a fundraising Star-Studded Spectacular last night for Governor Edmund G. Brown. The event filled the Winterland with some 5500 of the party faithful, who paid from $5 to $100 for the privilege of seeing not only Davis but also such stars as Peter Lawford, singer Frankie Randall, comedian duo Rowan and Martin and song belter Barbara McNair. Earlier in the day Davis had a lot to say about Ronald Reagan. “Ronnie Reagan is a very charming man, a nice guy. I’ve worked with him three times. But he’s no more qualified to be governor than I am. I’ll put it another way. If I had to go away and leave my children with somebody, I’d leave them somebody who had experience caring for children. And I think this Reagan thing is the biggest put-on I ever heard of.”
1941
Nov. 2: Honolulu, Nov. 1: The Japanese Navy lately has been guilty of activities in American waters that are said here to verge closely upon the beginning of hostilities. While American Naval authorities have patiently withheld retaliatory action, much has been learned of the tactics and aims of the Japanese through simulated ignorance of what their ships are doing. A Japanese submarine lately has been in Hawaiian territorial waters, remaining submerged in daylight hours and coming up after dark. Daylight observations have been conducted with only a periscope above water. The American Naval authorities have been chuckling over this abortive Japanese reconnaissance, for they have known of the presence, and observed every move of the submarine since it was about 400 miles from Hawaiian waters. Semi-hostile Japanese naval actions have been openly conducted without the slightest attempts at secrecy. Their fast ships have provocatively cruised at high speed all around Midway, Wake, Johnson, Palmyra and other Pacific islands, always keeping 2000 yards beyond the utmost range of American coast defense batteries.
1916
Oct. 30: Oakland: There was no dedication today for the new leper’s home at the Alameda County Hospital and Infirmary. Intending participants in the exercises were halted at the gates and turned back by watchful guards. Relatives of inmates were also halted. A rigid quarantine has been established at the hospital and everyone is incommunicado there. Smallpox is the reason. A month ago the epidemic began to appear at the infirmary. Immediately Superintendent C.A. Wills gave orders to vaccinate, and scalpels were kept busy on the several hundred residents. The doctors, nurses, cooks and outside help were vaccinated too. But the disease was not conquered. There were six cases altogether. Yesterday a seventh arrived from outside. The cottage for lepers, which was to have been dedicated today, was built by the Supervisors to take the place of the old, leaky structure which carpenters refused to repair and which was burned down.