That night I was walking through the back of the stage right upper balcony when a small piece of the ceiling fell on my head. I looked up and saw a rat about the size of my foot scurrying across an open space up there. It might have been the drugs, but I swear the rat was laughing with me. Winterland was my favorite.
Funny that Mickey talks about the smell of that place, because despite the fact that I was only in that building a handful of times MANY, MANY years ago, to this day I can still clearly recall the very uniquely stale & oddly sweet Winterland smell of vomit, sawdust, smoke & old rotting wood. And amazingly, it wasn't off-putting, it was the smell of rock 'n roll.
I have been in many decrepit old venues/buildings since, but I have never encountered an aroma quite like Winterland's, and I remember it distinctly to this day.
Winterland was a complete dump, but it was absolutely magnificent, especially to a 17/18 year old like me, and while I may not be an expert, I know for a fact from many people who ARE experts that there has never been any place remotely like it.
I saw a total of seven shows in Winterland, and in the literally thousands of concerts I've seen in so many, many great venues over all the years since, Winterland remains my favorite venue, and the greatest venue I've ever been to.
Another one from the demolition, before the roof came down. The banners are still hanging! I have a few cool old Winterland shots in my photo files, I'll post more as time allows.
Even though I lived in the Bay Area til Fall 1969 I think I only went to Winterland once. It was in 1969, and it wasn't to see GD. It was to see Ace of Cups, Sons of Champlin and The Band.
I generally noticed the "Winterland smell" was replaced by the start of the show with pot and patchouli.
My favorite place to go was in the back hall (stage left) after they opened the loading dock doors to let fresh air in, usually sometime after the last set.
It was a refreshing place to hang and recharge.
Yes, that's The Who. I think '73, taken by the great Michael Zagaris. To me that shot captures the incredible thrill of that true, immense moment that rock 'n roll at it's best brings.
Here's another one from the same photographer from the same show, IMO also a pretty damn good capture of the "heart of rock 'n roll"...
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Starkdar
This is 31 minutes really
This is 31 minutes really well spent!
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: r n
I was one of those who sat in
I was one of those who sat in 1st row in back of stage
what wonderful seats-and yes you always had the felling the place could crumble
at any time, especially during space
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: I rang a silent bell
Fun to see Dick Latvala make
Fun to see Dick Latvala make an appearance.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: DaBreeze
From the bonus DVD of 'The
From the bonus DVD of 'The Closing of Winterland 1977'. (2003)
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Localcountyline
1978.
1978.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: DaBreeze
Right. I guess technically it
Right. I guess technically it closed Jan 1, 1979.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Mylar
That night I was walking
That night I was walking through the back of the stage right upper balcony when a small piece of the ceiling fell on my head. I looked up and saw a rat about the size of my foot scurrying across an open space up there. It might have been the drugs, but I swear the rat was laughing with me. Winterland was my favorite.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Lance minimum goad Newberry
Funny that Mickey talks about
Funny that Mickey talks about the smell of that place, because despite the fact that I was only in that building a handful of times MANY, MANY years ago, to this day I can still clearly recall the very uniquely stale & oddly sweet Winterland smell of vomit, sawdust, smoke & old rotting wood. And amazingly, it wasn't off-putting, it was the smell of rock 'n roll.
I have been in many decrepit old venues/buildings since, but I have never encountered an aroma quite like Winterland's, and I remember it distinctly to this day.
Winterland was a complete dump, but it was absolutely magnificent, especially to a 17/18 year old like me, and while I may not be an expert, I know for a fact from many people who ARE experts that there has never been any place remotely like it.
I saw a total of seven shows in Winterland, and in the literally thousands of concerts I've seen in so many, many great venues over all the years since, Winterland remains my favorite venue, and the greatest venue I've ever been to.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Localcountyline
Not the most positive, but
Not the most positive, but this thread needs a photo...this is supposedly September 1985.
(yes when the Dead were playing the Kaiser, Red Rocks, Chula Vista......)
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Don Volume
Another one from the
Another one from the demolition, before the roof came down. The banners are still hanging! I have a few cool old Winterland shots in my photo files, I'll post more as time allows.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: treat island
I think I only went to
Even though I lived in the Bay Area til Fall 1969 I think I only went to Winterland once. It was in 1969, and it wasn't to see GD. It was to see Ace of Cups, Sons of Champlin and The Band.
Big fun, great music. Every band was great.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Lucky Day
Been a while since someone
Been a while since someone posted a mini movie. Did Susan at YouTube approve this?
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: r n
How about those Winterland
How about those Winterland bathrooms.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Mylar
I generally noticed the
I generally noticed the "Winterland smell" was replaced by the start of the show with pot and patchouli.
My favorite place to go was in the back hall (stage left) after they opened the loading dock doors to let fresh air in, usually sometime after the last set.
It was a refreshing place to hang and recharge.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Mylar
That should be after the last
That should be after the last set started.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Mike Dalton
Great mini movie. Sadly I
Great mini movie. Sadly I missed Winterland by a few months and my first West coast show was the August 79 Kaiser shows.
I'm glad they called out Chip in this movie. Great Bay Area musician.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: intentionally blank
Additional footage from the
Additional footage from the same youtube channel:
2 AM Interview with Bob Weir, Mickey Hart and Ken Kesey: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1eNZuV-Swg
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Hello My Name Is
Wow I forgot about the mini
Wow I forgot about the mini-movies and Susan at YouTube. Those were strange times.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Lance minimum goad Newberry
If we're going to put photos
If we're going to put photos on this thread, they should be from better times.
Here are a few, the first I consider the greatest rock 'n roll photograph ever taken. It just SAYS rock 'n roll, and is so classic Winterland...
And a few others from that greatest of venues...
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: treat island
Lance, is the first one The
Lance, is the first one The Who? Or who? I saw them in S.F. but I think it was at Fillmore West 1968 or '69.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Lance minimum goad Newberry
Yes, that's The Who. I think
Yes, that's The Who. I think '73, taken by the great Michael Zagaris. To me that shot captures the incredible thrill of that true, immense moment that rock 'n roll at it's best brings.
Here's another one from the same photographer from the same show, IMO also a pretty damn good capture of the "heart of rock 'n roll"...