In just three years, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, The Who, The Allman Brothers Band, Frank Zappa, The Grateful Dead, and so many more took to the stage at the “Church of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” better known as the Fillmore East. The Fillmore East was founded in 1968 and shut down in 1971. It was located on Second Avenue in the East Village of New York City and had a capacity of roughly 2,600. In rock ‘n’ roll, it was hallowed ground, but it all went away thanks to the changing tides of the music industry.
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Have you ever seen a major band or musician perform in a venue that seats 2,600 people? We don’t want to speak for everyone, but the majority of you probably have to say “no.” Attending a show at such a place is nearly impossible these days. However, before arenas and stadiums were the go-to venues for major artists, they would play in much smaller venues. One of those was the Fillmore East.
Performing at such venues was the industry standard in the 60s. Although bands such as The Beatles and The Rolling Stones proved that bands could sell out far larger venues. Well, that standard shifted, and other bands such as The Who, Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, and Pink Floyd started selling out arenas and stadiums as well. Consequently, that left no opportunity and no bread for the little guy, and in this instance, that little guy was the storied Fillmore East.
Why and How Rock Music Ruined “The Church of Rock ‘n’ Roll”
In 1971, the Fillmore East’s owner, Bill Graham, stated that the closing of the venue came from several different factors. Though all of those factors were a result of the growing commercialization of the music industry. Specifically, in its booking arm. With the growing commercialization, Graham could not compete as an independent owner.
Regarding the decision, Graham stated, “Now, more often than not, it’s with ‘officers’ and ‘stockholders’ in large corporations—only they happen to have long hair and play guitars. I acknowledge their success, but condemn what that success has done to some of them,” per The New York Times.
“I am not pleased with this ‘music industry,’” and “I am disappointed with many of the musicians working in it, and I am shocked at the nature of the millions of people who support that ‘industry’ without asking why,” added Graham.
A sad event for rock ‘n’ roll, but Graham and the Fillmore East went out with a bang. For their closing celebration, the venue hosted The Allman Brothers Band, The J. Geils Band, and Albert King. They also had surprise appearances from Edgar Winter’s White Trash, Mountain, The Beach Boys, and Country Joe McDonald.
Photo by Don Paulsen/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
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