Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Art Exhibit in the City - Bill Graham and the Rock and Roll Revolution at the Contemporary Jewish Museum

Contemporary Jewish Museum - Bill Graham Rock Roll Revolution sign
Mijo took me one Saturday afternoon to the Contemporary Jewish Museum to see an exhibit called Bill Graham and the Rock and Roll Revolution. Not only was Bill Graham a successful rock promoter but he also used rock as a medium to raise awareness and raised funds to help others.

 It was also great to be able to put a face on a name of a Civic Auditorium in San Francisco.

It has been years since the last time I was at the Contemporary Jewish Museum. I think it was when they had a Marc Chagall exhibit. Was that in 2009?  In any case, it was nice to be back inside this beautiful art venue.
Contemporary Jewish Museum - Bill Graham Rock Roll Revolution cjm

It was a treat from Mijo. He got us tickets to CJM's Bill Graham and the Rock and Roll Revolution.  The exhibit is about the life of Bill Graham.

Even the audio tour of the exhibition is now online. It took me to the art exhibit's app after scanning the barcode near the exhibition entrance. Having an audio guide gives me more than the descriptions written on the wall. The audio tour also allows me to be engrosed at what I am looking at.
Contemporary Jewish Museum - Bill Graham Rock Roll Revolution app

Bill Graham was a Jew. Even though was greatly affected by World War II as a child,  he survived it and went on to become one of the nation's most successful rock and concert promoters.  He grew up in the East Coast but he made his way to San Francisco in the 60's.
Contemporary Jewish Museum - Bill Graham Rock Roll Revolution 60s

During his career, he promoted concerts of music legends like Aretha, Janis, The Who, The Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, The Rolling Stones, and more. I also got to see pictures of events at the Fillmore.  Can you imagine a job involving superstars and music legends? I think he had a very fun job.
Contemporary Jewish Museum - Bill Graham Rock Roll Revolution Aretha Contemporary Jewish Museum - Bill Graham Rock Roll Revolution 80s 
  Contemporary Jewish Museum - Bill Graham Rock Roll Revolution The Who Contemporary Jewish Museum - Bill Graham Rock Roll Revolution Rolling Stones Contemporary Jewish Museum - Bill Graham Rock Roll Revolution Joplin 

Despite his childhood, he used his success to help and raise awareness about AIDS, natural disasters, and more. Think of the benefit concert LIVE AID.
  Contemporary Jewish Museum - Bill Graham Rock Roll Revolution benefit

Here's a favorite of mine. Cancert Ticket Wheel for Rolling Stones 1981 American Tour.
Contemporary Jewish Museum - Bill Graham Rock Roll Revolution ticket wheel 
1981, 
Mixed Media, 
Collection of David and Alex Graham 

This sculpture is called The Lamp of the Covenant by David Lane on display at the main hall of the museum.
  Contemporary Jewish Museum - Lamp of the Covenant Dave Lane

I now have a face to the name Bill Graham. Everytime I see or hear about The Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco's Civic Center.

The exhibit is on display at The Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco through July 5, 2016.

~rl

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)