Originally
built as a skating rink, the Winterland, where The Band played "The
Last Waltz," is gone replaced by condominiums. The Winterland
was a gigantic place with bleachers lining the sides. It was not
as cozy as some of the other places I went in those days. But I did
see and hear some great bands there.
On my birthday Jan 5, 1968, my friends took me to Winterland
to see Steve Miller Blues Band which was and still is one of my favorite bands.
In 1972 there were four nights of The Rolling Stone. I would have to say the
highlight of my experience at Winterland was the night I saw Jimi Hendrix record "Live
at Winterland recorded" 1968. I also remember one night that was a real
surpize. We saw a man named Virgil Fox who played an amplified organ. He
played what he called "Heavy Organ ". I would love to hear
that again. It was sensational. Bill Graham closed The Winterland in in
1978. The closing show that New Year`s Eve featured The Grateful Dead and The
Blues Brothers.
Closing
of Winterland: December 31 1978 CD
Grateful
Dead - The Closing of Winterland 2 disc DVD