Monday, January 14, 2008

Musicians come together for Bill Graham birthday show

On Friday, Jan. 11, an eclectic mix of musicians celebrated Bill Graham’s birthday at San Francisco’s Fillmore Auditorium.

Bill GrahamThe night featured a number of duets, some more expected than others, including singer Linda Ronstadt and her hit making partner Aaron Neville, Phil Lesh and his recent tourmate Jackie Greene, wordsmiths Ramblin' Jack Elliott and Jackie Greene, Doors keyboardist Ray Manzarek and veteran blues-sideman Roy Rogers, longtime songwriting partners Tuck Andress and Patti Cathcart and a closing dance set by the Booker T. Jones Band. The 27-year-old Greene and the 76-year-old Ramblin' Jack Elliott had the evening’s largest age spread, but still ran through choice versions of “San Francisco Bay Blues” and “I'll Be You Baby Tonight.” Lesh, one of the California songwriters’ common links, also took the stage with his friends for a version of “Friend of the Devil” that featured Ramblin' Jack Elliott on leads vocals. A bit later, the bassist offered a short set with Greene that featured the young singer’s “Ball and Chain,” as well as “Casey Jones” and “Brokedown Palace.” Interestingly enough, Greene recently told the San Jose Mercury News that he originally hoped to cover the Velvet Underground and Television, but Lesh nixed his idea to pay tribute to the seminal garage-rock bands.

Bill Graham Birthday Bash setlist
More about Bill Graham

— From jambands.com