Away Team

From Pollstar:

The life and times of Bill Graham will be honored during a benefit taking place in the legendary concert promoter’s adopted hometown of San Francisco in January.

Scheduled for Graham’s famed Fillmore Auditorium and featuring Hot Tuna, David Bromberg and DJ Harry Duncan, the tribute is set for Jan. 7, one day before what would have been Graham’s 81st birthday.

Born Wolodia Grajonca in Berlin, Graham was among a group of children that left France after that country had fallen to the Nazis and changed his name after arriving in New York City. Graham eventually moved to San Francisco during the early 1960s.

Graham’s first taste of show biz was when he managed the San Francisco Mime Troupe in 1965. After promoting several of the group’s shows, Graham chose to dive into promotion full time, a decision that eventually led to promoting concerts featuring many of the biggest acts in music, including The Grateful Dead, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Led Zeppelin, Jefferson Airplane and Janis Joplin.

But Graham wasn’t always content to sit in the wings during the concerts he promoted. His appearances as “Father Time” were much-anticipated moments during The Grateful Dead’s New Year’s Eve shows.









Killed in a helicopter crash in 1991, Graham died a few years before concert promotion companies began consolidating. His own company – Bill Graham Presents – was acquired by SFX Promotions in the late 1990s.

During his years as the country’s top concert promoter, Graham was also known for his charitable efforts and the celebration honoring his upcoming 81st birthday is no exception with all proceeds earmarked for the Bill Graham Foundation. The foundation is guided by a group that includes Graham’s sons, former long-term Bill Graham Presents employees and community leaders.

Tickets priced at $55 are available now. A VIP package that includes one special reserved seat, two premium drink tickets, complimentary parking and an autographed event poster is also available. Visit BillGrahamMemorialFoundation.org for more information.

Rock producer and historian Denny Somach today announced the establishment of the Classic Rock Society of America. The organization will be devoted to the preservation, promotion and celebration of classic rock music by the artists, musicians, producers and fans of the most popular musical category of the past fifty years.

Somach is a recognized expert on Classic Rock and considered one of the architect’s of the Classic Rock radio format, which has become dominant in broadcasting and attracts millions of listeners. He has produced over 7500 hours of classic rock programming and maintains one of the largest archives of audio, video and data related to the topic. Somach has also authored numerous articles and books on the subject and appeared as an authority on shows including Today, Larry King , CBS Early Show, Dateline NBC, CNN, CNBC, MTV and others.

“The appeal of classic rock artists like the Beatles, Rolling Stones, the Who, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, the Doors, Moody Blues, Yes, Grateful Dead, Jethro Tull, Aerosmith, Styx, Deep Purple, Queen, the Allman Brothers and many, many others has never been more popular,” said Somach. “Classic rock has become cross-generational and is the most popular rock music format not just in the US and Canada, but around the world.”

The Classic Rock Society of America (CRSA) is an organization where people from all over the world can experience and commemorate their favorite music. Many colleges and universities have classes about this music and it is being taught everywhere. The CRSA will act as a resource center for students and teachers, enabling them to further enhance their study of classic rock.

CRSA was inspired by the UK’s Classic Rock Society, with a membership of thousands, and Classic Rock magazine, a publisher, recording label and music promoter. Both organizations are dedicated to the growth of all classic rock music. The UK’s Classic Rock Magazine presents a number of live shows, including the recent High Voltage Festival, which featured ZZ Top, Foreigner, Asia, Bachman-Turner, Uriah Heep, Argent and a reformed Emerson, Lake and Palmer to celebrate its 40th anniversary.

Rick Wakeman is the honorary Chairman of the U.K. Classic Rock Society. “When I contacted him about the Classic Rock Society of America we were launching, he immediately lent his support and thought it was about time something like this was established in America.” Subsequently the other founding board members including John Wetton of Asia and Dave Cousins of the Strawbs have publically announced their support.
“I have also spoken to over fifty musicians, producers and managers who are more than happy to not only lend their name but become actively involved in the Classic Rock Society of America,” stated Somach.

The Classic Rock Society of America will debut as an interactive web site and its own radio channel. It will also include marketing and promotion entities. The virtual society will eventually have a physical location where musicians and fans can visit and enjoy the many facets of the musical genre. Somach said, “We have already been contacted by a couple of municipal development organizations about locating a facility in their communities.”

For more CLASSIC ROCK SOCIETY OF AMERICA click here.

Two classic DIO tracks — “Holy Diver” and “Stand Up And Shout” — will be made available on September 14 in the Rock Band Music Store of downloadable content for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system and Wii.

With more than 400 artists, including JIMI HENDRIX, THE WHO, AC/DC and GREEN DAY, who are exclusive to Rock Band, as well as more than 1,100 songs available through the Rock Band platform and 65 million songs sold through its download store alone, Rock Band is the undisputed sales and content leader in the interactive music space, providing the deepest and best selection of artists, songs and albums. Rock Band DLC additions for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 system and Wii.

For more information on the tracks click here.