Considering its relatively brief run, the Fillmore East sure holds a special place in New York concert venue lore. For three-and-a-half years as the 1960s leaked into the ’70s, the Fillmore East was one of the premier live music houses. Thirty-six years after Bill Graham closed its doors, Live Nation is trying to reopen a link to history with the Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza, which debuts with Wednesday’s concert by Lily Allen.
“The bottom line is that The Fillmore means something to artists and to fans,” said Jerry Pompili, Fillmore East’s original house manager and longtime Bill Graham associate. “It was more than just a building. It was a new concept in the presentation of rock ’n’ roll. There is no better venue in New York City to carry on the traditions we started 40 years ago than Irving Plaza. It’s a beautiful thing.”
Whether the good vibes of the old Fillmore—or the various incarnations of the original Fillmore in San Francisco—will work in 21st century NYC is anyone’s guess. Live Nation is sure going to try to make it happen though, taking a cue from San Francisco with deep, dark tones, ornate chandeliers and framed posters celebrating the long history of music performed under the Fillmore marquee on both coasts.
Improved sight lines and flat screen televisions have already been set up at the former Irving Plaza, and a new sound and lighting system is also in the works for the summer. The quaint, hippie traditions are making the journey as well, with attendees being offered free apples on their way into the Fillmore, and specially designed gig posters on their way out.
How Lily Allen feels about all of this will remain a mystery for now. Despite dropping quotes in virtually every rag across the globe, her management team and record label weren’t interested in an interview with us. That’s a shame, because I was all set to ask her some totally amazing questions, and she’d have been blown away by how clever and erudite I am.
Instead, I’m left to try and give New York music fans a sense of what the Fillmore might have to offer—beyond Ms. Allen. Sure, I’ve seen plenty of shows at the Fillmore West myself, but I haven’t lived in San Francisco for nearly six years, so let’s hear from some Fillmore regulars.
“I always enjoy going to shows at the Fillmore,” said Andi Sumpter, a music inventory specialist. “There isn’t a bad place to stand in the entire venue, and the sound quality is always excellent because, despite its size, it’s actually quite an intimate environment.”
“My living room at home is lined with framed Fillmore posters and allows me to revisit the show each time a guest inquires about one of them,” Sumpter added. “The free poster giveaway at the end of the show is a concert staple that you don’t get just anywhere. It’s a badge that says you were there, and got to experience a little bit of history.”
“Stepping into the Fillmore is like walking into music history,” added Amy Chase, Sumpter’s better half. “Having attended countless shows within this hallowed hall, I know I have taken part in something truly magical. Though maybe it’s just the pretty, shiny chandeliers.”
Ed Estrada, a bartender in the Lower Haight said that history is more than just in the impressive roster of artists who’ve graced Fillmore stages. It’s also alive in the people who keep the Fillmore going today.
“You still feel like hippies are running the joint,” Estrada said. “The staff has always been friendly and proud to work there. It’s the best feeling to walk up the steps music growing louder and be offered an apple that just glues it all together.”
To get an idea of what the original Fillmore East was like, I called a guy who was an anarchistic hippie college student from New Jersey in the late ’60s: My father, Gary.
“It was small and dark,” said Dad. “It was like a freak show.”
After sneaking past stage door security for a September 1968 performance by the Chambers Brothers, my father stumbled into an office only to find himself face to face with Bill Graham.
“He looked up at me and said, ‘What do you want?’” said my father. “I said ‘I’m a reporter with [the student newspaper at Marietta College in Ohio,] the Marcolian!’ I was 19 years old with my long, scraggly hair. He just looks at me, and he knew I was full of shit, and he starts to laugh. He said, ‘OK, go in.’”
Though it’s doubtful that kind of old-school Fillmore experience will make its way into the new era, there’s still plenty of history there, both in the past and in the future.
April 11, Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza, 17 Irving Pl. (at 15th St.), 212-777-6800; 8, $22.50/$25.
“The bottom line is that The Fillmore means something to artists and to fans,” said Jerry Pompili, Fillmore East’s original house manager and longtime Bill Graham associate. “It was more than just a building. It was a new concept in the presentation of rock ’n’ roll. There is no better venue in New York City to carry on the traditions we started 40 years ago than Irving Plaza. It’s a beautiful thing.”
Whether the good vibes of the old Fillmore—or the various incarnations of the original Fillmore in San Francisco—will work in 21st century NYC is anyone’s guess. Live Nation is sure going to try to make it happen though, taking a cue from San Francisco with deep, dark tones, ornate chandeliers and framed posters celebrating the long history of music performed under the Fillmore marquee on both coasts.
Improved sight lines and flat screen televisions have already been set up at the former Irving Plaza, and a new sound and lighting system is also in the works for the summer. The quaint, hippie traditions are making the journey as well, with attendees being offered free apples on their way into the Fillmore, and specially designed gig posters on their way out.
How Lily Allen feels about all of this will remain a mystery for now. Despite dropping quotes in virtually every rag across the globe, her management team and record label weren’t interested in an interview with us. That’s a shame, because I was all set to ask her some totally amazing questions, and she’d have been blown away by how clever and erudite I am.
Instead, I’m left to try and give New York music fans a sense of what the Fillmore might have to offer—beyond Ms. Allen. Sure, I’ve seen plenty of shows at the Fillmore West myself, but I haven’t lived in San Francisco for nearly six years, so let’s hear from some Fillmore regulars.
“I always enjoy going to shows at the Fillmore,” said Andi Sumpter, a music inventory specialist. “There isn’t a bad place to stand in the entire venue, and the sound quality is always excellent because, despite its size, it’s actually quite an intimate environment.”
“My living room at home is lined with framed Fillmore posters and allows me to revisit the show each time a guest inquires about one of them,” Sumpter added. “The free poster giveaway at the end of the show is a concert staple that you don’t get just anywhere. It’s a badge that says you were there, and got to experience a little bit of history.”
“Stepping into the Fillmore is like walking into music history,” added Amy Chase, Sumpter’s better half. “Having attended countless shows within this hallowed hall, I know I have taken part in something truly magical. Though maybe it’s just the pretty, shiny chandeliers.”
Ed Estrada, a bartender in the Lower Haight said that history is more than just in the impressive roster of artists who’ve graced Fillmore stages. It’s also alive in the people who keep the Fillmore going today.
“You still feel like hippies are running the joint,” Estrada said. “The staff has always been friendly and proud to work there. It’s the best feeling to walk up the steps music growing louder and be offered an apple that just glues it all together.”
To get an idea of what the original Fillmore East was like, I called a guy who was an anarchistic hippie college student from New Jersey in the late ’60s: My father, Gary.
“It was small and dark,” said Dad. “It was like a freak show.”
After sneaking past stage door security for a September 1968 performance by the Chambers Brothers, my father stumbled into an office only to find himself face to face with Bill Graham.
“He looked up at me and said, ‘What do you want?’” said my father. “I said ‘I’m a reporter with [the student newspaper at Marietta College in Ohio,] the Marcolian!’ I was 19 years old with my long, scraggly hair. He just looks at me, and he knew I was full of shit, and he starts to laugh. He said, ‘OK, go in.’”
Though it’s doubtful that kind of old-school Fillmore experience will make its way into the new era, there’s still plenty of history there, both in the past and in the future.
April 11, Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza, 17 Irving Pl. (at 15th St.), 212-777-6800; 8, $22.50/$25.
