Fillmore East: The Venue That Changed Rock Music Forever

by Frank Mastropolo, Joshua White (Foreword)

Bill Graham presented the cream of rock royalty in New York's East Jimi Hendrix, John Lennon, Janis Joplin, The Who, Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana, Led Zeppelin, Elton John, and the Allman Brothers performed during its three-year run. The hall’s stellar acoustics and Joshua Light Show’s psychedelic imagery made Fillmore East concerts unforgettable. Interviews with 90 musicians and crew members include Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees Steve Miller, Roger McGuinn, Dave Mason, Robert Lamm, John Lodge, Nils Lofgren, Dave Davies, Jack Casady, and Jorma Kaukonen. Performance and backstage images, posters and memorabilia recall rock music's greatest era.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction

204 pages, Hardcover

Published November 10, 2021

About the author

Frank Mastropolo is the publisher of Edgar Street Books and the award-winning author of Fillmore East: The Venue That Changed Rock Music Forever, chosen by Best Classic Bands as one of the Best Music Books of the Year. His Greatest Performances series covers rock, soul, and pop music of the '60s, '70s, and '80s.

Mastropolo is a former ABC News 20/20 writer and producer, winner of the Alfred I. DuPont–Columbia University silver baton, the Cine Golden Eagle, and the Sigma Delta Chi award from the Society of Professional Journalists. His work has appeared in Mojo, Classic Rock / Louder Sound, Relix, The Guardian, Untapped New York, and a variety of music and New York history sites. His rock concert photography is licensed by Getty Images and featured in the Bill Graham Rock & Roll Revolution museum exhibition.

For more information on Mastropolo's work, please visit Edgar Street Books.

For more information on Mastropolo's work, please visit Edgar Street Books.

Reviews

[John Holmstrom · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn't just one of the best things I've ever read about the Fillmore East, it's one of the best books about 1960s rock ever! Lots of backstage stories by interesting people and an assortment of amazing photos bring back memories of what the late 1960s/early 1970s rock scene was like.

Maybe I am a little prejudiced since I was able to see a few shows there: notably Jimi Hendrix on New Year's Day 1970 as a teenage rock 'n' roll fanatic. The Fillmore East has always been one of my favorite venues (along with CBGB and Max's, of course). This tome dishes on everything and everything I ever wondered about the place. For instance, was Bill Graham a total pr*ck? (Apparently not total.) Why did it close? What happened afterwards? How did it become a music venue and what was the East Village (where I've lived for over 40 years) like back then?

Confession: The book includes a few drawings I did in 1974-75 I did for the place when it briefly re-opened as the N. F. E. Theater (N.F.E.=New Fillmore East). Bill Graham sued when they tried to use the original name. (Yes, he could be a pr*ck!)

[John P. Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Max's Kansas City, CBGB, and Fillmore East are the places I frequented a lot way back when, so reading more about Fillmore East was certainly interesting. Janice Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, The Allman Brothers, BB King, Johnny Winter, Elton John, Roberta Flack, The Byrds, Led Zeppelin, The Grateful Dead, Taj Mahal, Country Joe, John Lennon, these are some of the performers I was fortunate enough to see there (I also went to Fillmore West a few times when I lived in San Francisco). The book is a nice reminder of what the whole rock and roll scene in New York City was like back then, not just at Fillmore East. I can definitely recommend this.

[Brian Pangburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great read!

Highly recommended for any fan of era, loads of great anecdotes. Fans of this should also check out Bill Grahams bio "Bill Graham Presents".

[Edith · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was interesting to read about all the different musical acts that played at the Fillmore East. I actually finished reading it on July 17th, but forgot to review it.

[James Katz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the stories about the musicians in the 60s and 70s.

[Patricia Long]

There should be a law, all amateur authors... get yourself a good editor and listen to their advice.

[George Kanakaris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short stories and witness accounts about this legendary venue. I hoped for more Jimi Hendrix, but alas...

[Jim Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

From one who was fortunate to have gone there.

Was a great look back at a relic of the time. I was an oblivious attendee at the time. This brings a much fuller story of what was a great time and place.