The Alan Bescan Collection includes 10 scans of handbills, tickets and flyers for concerts in San Francisco and Austin in the 1960s and 1970s featuring artists Richie Havens, Led Zeppelin, the Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Buffalo Springfield, Donovan, Moby Grape, and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. The collection will be of particular interest to researchers studying the San Francisco psychedelic rock music scene, and promotional artwork and ephemera associated with the Fillmore West, Winterland Ballroom, Oakland Coliseum, Family Dog Productions, and Bill Graham Presents.
Biography / Administrative History
Bill Graham (January 8, 1931 – October 25, 1991) was a German-American rock concert promoter from the 1960s until his death. Graham moved to San Francisco in the early 1960s where he began promoting concerts with Chet Helms (August 2, 1942 - June 5, 2005) and Family Dog. Finding a need for a permanent venue, Graham leased the Fillmore Auditorium (Fillmore West) in San Francisco. Graham and Helms initially promoted shows at the Fillmore on alternate weekends, but their arrangement was short-lived and Helms soon moved his shows to San Francisco's Avalon Ballroom. After Graham closed the Fillmore West and East in 1971, he continued promoting concerts, including the largest outdoor concert at Watkins Glen, New York. Graham was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992.
Existence and Location of Originals
Original materials remain with the donor.
Notes
Citation: [Identification of Item], Alan Bescan Collection, Library and Archives, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.
Acquisition Note: The Alan Bescan Collection was received by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Inc., as a gift from Bescan on November 14, 2015. This acquisition was made during a Scan Day event, funded by a Common Heritage grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Language Note: Materials are in English
Processing Information: Processed by Justin Seidler, Image Archivist. Completed on December 14, 2020. Descriptive sources and standards used to create this inventory: DACS and local processing manual. Collection processed through an Access to Historical Records grant from the NHPRC.
Access
Collection is open for research. Patrons must sign the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibilities and Privacy Rights statement on the Researcher Registration form before using this collection. Consult the Library and Archives in advance of your visit to ensure access to these materials is available.
Use
The copyright interests in the collection have not been transferred to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Inc. For more information, consult the staff of the Library and Archives.
