This story is the work of Bruno Ceriotti. Help in putting this together has been provided by Jerry Slick, Joe Jupille, The Daily Californian, San Francisco Chronicle, and Rob Branigin, to whom I'm most grateful.
UNNAMED REHEARSAL BAND (1965)
1) Grace Slick vocals, guitar
2) Darby Slick guitar
3) Jerry Slick drums
4) Jean 'Jeannie' Piersol vocals
THE GREAT SOCIETY #1 (AUG 1965 - MAR 16, 1966)
1) Darby Slick vocals, lead guitar
2) Jerry Slick drums
3) Grace Slick lead vocals, guitar, bass, tamburine, organ, flute, drums
4) Michael David Miner vocals, bass, rhythm guitar
5) Bard Dupont bass
October 15, 1965: The Coffee Gallery, 1353 Grant Avenue, North Beach, San Francisco, CA
The Great Society's first gig. On the concert poster they were billed as 'The Great! Society' (the idea of the exclamation point after the word 'The Great' was by Bard Dupont’s girlfriend Michele Sevryn).
October 16, 1965: Longshoremen‘s Hall, 400 North Point, Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco, CA with The Charlatans, Jefferson Airplane, The Marbles, DJ Russ 'The Moose' Syracuse, Notes From The Underground "A Tribute To Dr. Strange"
November 2 - November or December, 1965: Mother's, 430 Broadway, North Beach, San Francisco, CA with Dino Valente (sic)
Mother's was a strip-club recently opened by famous local DJ Tom 'Big Daddy' Donahue. The Great Society played there six nights a week for some weeks or so, after signing a recording contract with Donahue's 'North Beach Records'. Light shows by Don Lewis, Neal Rose, Rodney Richmond, Chris Roberts and others.
December 10, 1965: Fillmore Auditorium, 1805 Geary Boulevard, San Francisco, CA with Jefferson Airplane, The Mystery Trend, The John Handy Quintet, Sam Thomas And The Gentlemen's Band and "many others friends" (aka The Warlocks, The Vipers, Jeanne Brechan) "Benefit For San Francisco Mime Troupe - Appeal Party II, for Continued Artistic Freedom in the Parks"
December 13, 1965: The Committee, 622 Broadway, San Francisco, CA with Eartha Kitt, Freddie Red with Phillie Joe Jones, Gale Garnett, The VIP's
The band was advertised as 'The Great! Society'.
January 14, 1966: Fillmore Auditorium, 1805 Geary Boulevard, San Francisco, CA with Grateful Dead 'formerly The Warlocks', The Mystery Trend, Sam Thomas And The Gentlemen's Band and "many others friends" "Benefit For San Francisco Mime Troupe - Appeal Party III, Dance-Concert"
KQED-TV filmed at least part of the Mime Troupe Benefit, certainly a brief performance by The Great Society.
The Great Society's first gig. On the concert poster they were billed as 'The Great! Society' (the idea of the exclamation point after the word 'The Great' was by Bard Dupont’s girlfriend Michele Sevryn).
October 16, 1965: Longshoremen‘s Hall, 400 North Point, Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco, CA with The Charlatans, Jefferson Airplane, The Marbles, DJ Russ 'The Moose' Syracuse, Notes From The Underground "A Tribute To Dr. Strange"
November 2 - November or December, 1965: Mother's, 430 Broadway, North Beach, San Francisco, CA with Dino Valente (sic)
Mother's was a strip-club recently opened by famous local DJ Tom 'Big Daddy' Donahue. The Great Society played there six nights a week for some weeks or so, after signing a recording contract with Donahue's 'North Beach Records'. Light shows by Don Lewis, Neal Rose, Rodney Richmond, Chris Roberts and others.
December 10, 1965: Fillmore Auditorium, 1805 Geary Boulevard, San Francisco, CA with Jefferson Airplane, The Mystery Trend, The John Handy Quintet, Sam Thomas And The Gentlemen's Band and "many others friends" (aka The Warlocks, The Vipers, Jeanne Brechan) "Benefit For San Francisco Mime Troupe - Appeal Party II, for Continued Artistic Freedom in the Parks"
December 13, 1965: The Committee, 622 Broadway, San Francisco, CA with Eartha Kitt, Freddie Red with Phillie Joe Jones, Gale Garnett, The VIP's
The band was advertised as 'The Great! Society'.
January 14, 1966: Fillmore Auditorium, 1805 Geary Boulevard, San Francisco, CA with Grateful Dead 'formerly The Warlocks', The Mystery Trend, Sam Thomas And The Gentlemen's Band and "many others friends" "Benefit For San Francisco Mime Troupe - Appeal Party III, Dance-Concert"
KQED-TV filmed at least part of the Mime Troupe Benefit, certainly a brief performance by The Great Society.
January 21-22, 1966: The Matrix, 3138 Fillmore Street, Marina District, San Francisco, CA
January 23, 1966: Gate Theater, Sausalito, CA with Mystery Trend
February 1, 1966: Fillmore Auditorium, 1805 Geary Boulevard, San Francisco, CA with Grateful Dead, Loading Zone "Tuesday Afternoon Audition"
February 11, 1966: Fillmore Auditorium, 1805 Geary Boulevard, San Francisco, CA with The Charlatans, Mystery Trend, The Skins, Family Tree
February 12, 1966: Fillmore Auditorium, 1805 Geary Boulevard, San Francisco, CA with Big Brother And The Holding Company, Mystery Trend (cancelled), The Grateful Dead (cancelled), Quicksilver Messenger Service, Wildflower, Our Lost Souls (cancelled) "Rock For Peace - Benefit for Democratic congressional candidates and the Viet Nam Study Group"
February 26, 1966: Fillmore Auditorium, 1805 Geary Boulevard, San Francisco, CA with Big Brother And The Holding Company, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Grass Roots "King Kong Memorial Dance"
March 11, 1966: Fillmore Auditorium, 1805 Geary Boulevard, San Francisco, CA with Quicksilver Messenger Service, Gentlemen’s Band "The Great Blondin 2-day Dance Benefit"
A two day benefit (11-12) for Canyon, CA filmmaker Robert Nelson whose film "The Great Blondino" was released in 1967.
March 15-16, 1966: The Matrix, 3138 Fillmore Street, Marina District, San Francisco, CA
February 11, 1966: Fillmore Auditorium, 1805 Geary Boulevard, San Francisco, CA with The Charlatans, Mystery Trend, The Skins, Family Tree
February 12, 1966: Fillmore Auditorium, 1805 Geary Boulevard, San Francisco, CA with Big Brother And The Holding Company, Mystery Trend (cancelled), The Grateful Dead (cancelled), Quicksilver Messenger Service, Wildflower, Our Lost Souls (cancelled) "Rock For Peace - Benefit for Democratic congressional candidates and the Viet Nam Study Group"
February 26, 1966: Fillmore Auditorium, 1805 Geary Boulevard, San Francisco, CA with Big Brother And The Holding Company, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Grass Roots "King Kong Memorial Dance"
March 11, 1966: Fillmore Auditorium, 1805 Geary Boulevard, San Francisco, CA with Quicksilver Messenger Service, Gentlemen’s Band "The Great Blondin 2-day Dance Benefit"
A two day benefit (11-12) for Canyon, CA filmmaker Robert Nelson whose film "The Great Blondino" was released in 1967.
March 15-16, 1966: The Matrix, 3138 Fillmore Street, Marina District, San Francisco, CA
THE GREAT SOCIETY #2 (MAR 17, 1966 - JUN ?, 1966)
1) Darby Slick
2) Jerry Slick
3) Grace Slick
4) Michael David Miner
5) Peter Van Gelder bass, sopran sax, flute, sitar
March 17-19, 1966: The Matrix, 3138 Fillmore Street, Marina District, San Francisco, CA
March 20, 1966: Fillmore Auditorium, 1805 Geary Boulevard, San Francisco, CA with Quicksilver Messenger Service, The Skins "Batman Dance And Film Festival"
March 26, 1966: The Firehouse, San Francisco, CA with The Outfit
April 1-2, 1966: Harmon Gymnasium, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA with Big Brother and The Holding Company, The Band (Monty Waters), Jefferson Airplane (cancelled), Quicksilver Messenger Service (cancelled), The Skins, The Exiles, Lights and Sounds by Don Buchla, Go-Go Girls provided by Dance USA as auditioned by Carol Doda "A Delano Grape Strike Benefit"
March 26, 1966: The Firehouse, San Francisco, CA with The Outfit
April 1-2, 1966: Harmon Gymnasium, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA with Big Brother and The Holding Company, The Band (Monty Waters), Jefferson Airplane (cancelled), Quicksilver Messenger Service (cancelled), The Skins, The Exiles, Lights and Sounds by Don Buchla, Go-Go Girls provided by Dance USA as auditioned by Carol Doda "A Delano Grape Strike Benefit"
The Great Society, and Big Brother and The Holding Company fillied in for Jefferson Airplane and Quicksilver Messenger Service.
April 22-23, 1966: Avalon Ballroom, Sutter Street at Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA with The Blues Project
May 7, 1966: Harmon Gymnasium, University of California, Berkeley, CA with The Billy Moses Blues Bag, The Charlatans, The Grateful Dead, Russ 'The Moose' Syracuse (MC) "Dance/Concert - Peace Rock 3 - Berkeley Benefit Peace Candidates" (from 9:00pm to 1:00am)
THE GREAT SOCIETY #3 (JUN ?, 1966 - SEPT 10, 1966)
1) Darby Slick
2) Jerry Slick
3) Grace Slick
4) Peter Van Gelder
June 4-9, 1966: The Matrix, 3138 Fillmore Street, Marina District, San Francisco, CA with Solomon
These shows were recorded.
June 10-11, 1966: Fillmore Auditorium, 1805 Geary Boulevard, San Francisco, CA with Jefferson Airplane
The Heavenly Blues Band was also on the bill but dit not actually make the gig due to an illness in the band. The first show (June 10) was recorded and an excerpt can be found on the 'Wolfgang's Vault' website.
June 21-26, 1966: The Matrix, 3138 Fillmore Street, Marina District, San Francisco, CA with Dan Hicks, Don Garrett
These shows were recorded.
June 10-11, 1966: Fillmore Auditorium, 1805 Geary Boulevard, San Francisco, CA with Jefferson Airplane
The Heavenly Blues Band was also on the bill but dit not actually make the gig due to an illness in the band. The first show (June 10) was recorded and an excerpt can be found on the 'Wolfgang's Vault' website.
June 21-26, 1966: The Matrix, 3138 Fillmore Street, Marina District, San Francisco, CA with Dan Hicks, Don Garrett
The shows were recorded and some tracks were later released posthumous on their album: 'Conspicuous Only In It’s Absence' (1968).
June 26, 1966: The Mod Hatter, Town & Country Village, Mill Valley, CA with KYA's Johnny Holiday (MC) "Teen Boss Bash to celebrate the Grand Opening"
June 28 - July 3, 1966: The Matrix, 3138 Fillmore Street, Marina District, San Francisco, CA with Dan Hicks
June 28 - July 3, 1966: The Matrix, 3138 Fillmore Street, Marina District, San Francisco, CA with Dan Hicks
The shows were recorded and some tracks were later released posthumous on their album: 'Conspicuous Only In It’s Absence' (1968). The band cancelled their appearance on July 2 (because they had a gig at the Fillmore, see below) and the Final Solution filled in for them at last minute.
July 2, 1966: Fillmore Auditorium, 1805 Geary Boulevard, San Francisco, CA with The Charlatans, Sopwith Camel
July 2, 1966: Fillmore Auditorium, 1805 Geary Boulevard, San Francisco, CA with The Charlatans, Sopwith Camel
July 19, 1966: California Hall, 625 Polk Street at Turk, San Francisco, CA with Baltimore Steampacket, Buddah (From Muir Beach) and others
July 22-23, 1966: Avalon Ballroom, Sutter Street at Van Ness, San Francisco, CA with Jefferson Airplane
July 28, 1966: California Hall, 625 Polk Street at Turk, San Francisco, CA with The Charlatans, Big Brother And The Holding Company "Bilbo's Birthday Party"
This show was originally planned for day 22.
August 5, 1966: Losers South, San Jose, CA with Jefferson Airplane
August 5, 1966: Losers South, San Jose, CA with Jefferson Airplane
The Great Society filling in for the advertised Big Brother and The Holding Company.
August 8, 1966: The Matrix, 3138 Fillmore Street, Marina District, San Francisco, CA with Little Walter and His Band
The show was recorded.
August 26, 1966: Fillmore Auditorium 1805 Geary Boulevard, San Francisco, CA with Quicksilver Messenger Service (filled in for 13th Floor Elevators)
September 9-10, 1966: Avalon Ballroom, Sutter Street At Van Ness, San Francisco, CA with Quicksilver Messenger Service
THE GREAT SOCIETY #4 (SEPT 11, 1966)
1) Darby Slick
2) Jerry Slick
3) Grace Slick
4) Peter Van Gelder
5) Oscar Daniels vocals, rhythm guitar
September 11, 1966: Fillmore Auditorium, 1805 Geary Boulevard, San Francisco, CA with Jefferson Airplane, Grateful Dead, John Hendricks Trio, Elvin Jones, Joe Henderson Quartet, Big Mama Thornton, Denny Zeitlin Trio, The Wildflower, Garry Goodrow (MC), Lights by Bill Ham "Both/And Jazz Club Benefit - Gigantic All-Night Jazz/Rock Dance Concert"
Bruno - Another good job. A couple of points:
ReplyDelete(a) The July 22 date for the California Hall is erroneous - this relates to the originally planned date for the Bilbo's Birthday show that was eventually held on July 28. The Jefferson Airplane were never scheduled to play this date.
(b) January 23 at the Gate Theater also had the Mystery Trend performing.
(c) Additional show: 11 February 1966 Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco, CA Charlatans, Mystery Trend, Family Tree, The Skins, Great Society
(d)MC Russ "The Moose" Syracuse also appeared on May 7 at Harmon Gym.
(e) I have come across a number of references to the first show actually being on September 22, 1965 (a Wednesday) at the Coffee Gallery in North Beach. It seems unlikely and is at best unconfirmwed.
Jefferson Airplane played at The Coffee Gallery on September 22, 1965 not The Great Society.
ReplyDeleteThe Jefferson Airplane played after hours at the Coffee Gallery, but there was a performance of High Flying Bird during the interval earlier in the evening that was slated as being by the Great Society and confirmed in an interview with John Platt in 1978. But I don't have any confirmation - hence the original note.
ReplyDeleteDarby Slick in his autobiography confirmed the date of October 15, 1965 as their debut gig and Bob Harvey on his site strangely does not mention The Great Society in his memory on the evening of September 22, 1965. That's why I still remain doubtful. But if there is this interview you refer in which the gig is confirmed I'd love the read this....where can I find it?
ReplyDeleteRoss I talked with Jerry Slick and he confirmed that the group has never played the song 'High Flying Bird'.
ReplyDeletewhat about mention of the band during the late Summer fall when they performed at the Grape Strike encampments?
ReplyDeleteI refer to 1967 summer fall
ReplyDeleteI found reference to the Great Society playing Mother's six nights a week starting November 2, 1965, but I don't know when the run ended.
ReplyDeletethanks Joe!
Delete