Customer Reviews

Live at the Fillmore East: A Photographic Memoir

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I frequented the Fillmore East. For almost 4 years it was a place I visited about twice a month. I was not alone. The Fillmore was a special place to listen to and see the best musicians of the time. There was a feeling one had when they entered the old building that wasn't found elsewhere.

After almost 3 decades since its closing, Amalie Rothschild hs put together an amazing compilation of photographs which attempt to capture that time. From the innerworkings of the theatre and its staff, led by Bill Graham she presents the production aspect of the Fillmore. The stars, however, as the stars - the performers themselves. Seen on stage and off, with a sharp eye, these photographs really bring back that special feeling the audience had at the theatre.

There will never be another Fillmore East, nor a theatre that even approaches its stature as a "rock palace", but "Fillmore East : A Photographic Memoir" does a phenomenal job in bringing it all back home.

Get this book for anyone who was there, anyone who wishes they were there, or anyone who needs to know it was there!

New York's rock, blues, and yes, jazz shrine of music culture during the late 1960's and early 1970's has finaly been been given it's due thanks to Ms. Rothschild. We the faithful, who for the most part never knew the secrets of the venue and it's most powerful accoutrements, Lights & Sound, are now sated. Special thanks must go to Stacy Kreutzman and her fine publishing company for another glorius volume. Everything we always wanted to know about the venue is here wonderfully remembered in word and photo. You mean the Light Show was behind the stage! And, that "Exit sign" was the passageway backstage were the real fun was! Ms.Rothschild walks us through the place and it's inner workings taking special care to show and explain just how Joshua's Lights worked its magic. Her live concert photos are revelatory, especially that Holy Grail photo of the Dead, Fleetwood Mac and the Allman's onstage for their incredible, once in a lifetime jam. The photos of the outer lobby and ticket window took me instantly back to the place; and the memories lost for 30 years started flooding back. The uninitiated will love the book for its stunning photos of Miles, Jimi, and Duane, just to mention a few. The archivists will love the book for it's [apparently] thoroughly updated chronology of concerts. I love it all, Thank You, Thank You, Thank You.

Wow! I worked in this place for 2 plus years and didn't know half this stuff. Great therapy for all those fading brain cells. Left me with a smile on my face and music in my heart.

Great book! Amazing text with all the technical description of the Joshua Light Show and the inner workings of the FE. Just a couple of mistakes, though. The author initially states that Newport was in California, then later in the passage correctly puts it in Rhode Island. Also, Jethro Tull was not at Woodstock.

The photographs are not professional but is it a wonderful reminder of my past. I spent many weekends at the Fillmore East and
they were some of the best times ever.

The seller was excellent. I was looking for expedited shipping and emailed them prior to purchase. They immediately responded to me and changed the shipping options to expedited so that I would receive the book in time for a birthday that was coming within the week. Received the book in excellent condition and my friend loved it.

My original review appeared on Amazon when this book was first published and my appreciation for the work has grown over the years. These photos were taken by Amalie Rothschild during a time when I was 15-17 years old, and they are so important to me as someone who deeply appreciates this genre of music. J Geils, Richie Havens, Neil Young, Sly Stone, Pink Floyd captured here in the early days is the kind of magical stuff people who enjoy their music want to keep on a bookshelf next to their albums. But the photos of those who left us at the time of this book's publication: Janis Joplin, Cass Elliot, Frank Zappa, Felix Pappalardi, John Lennon, Laura Nyro, Paul Butterfield, are extraordinary. Close to 20,000 photos were taken according to the book. This is an amazing snapshot of an important time and a most important venue. I love the itinerary of gigs and the photo index. Quite a book that you fall in love with the more you go back and stare at the images captured by Rothschild's inventiveness.

I frequented the Fillmore almost every Friday night for at least three years. I was looking for an extra gift for my husband (also a former FE attendee) and thought this would be perfect. When it arrived the other day, I could not wait to give it to him. I opened the box and we immediately started perusing the book cover to cover and reminiscing about times that were pure magic and joy. Amalie's photos capture the place inside and out. There were photos from my very first concert -- Santana at the Fillmore in the Fall of 1969 and from other shows that we were lucky to see. It brought back so many memories to the both of us. As an added bonus, when we got to the end of the book, we actually saw a friend in one of the pictures. It was the night of the bomb scare. Lo and behold, there is Joe standing in the crowd outside the theater. This book is a must-have for all of us who were lucky enough to be present at the FE and those of us who wish they could have been a part of it.

I'm sure I'll love this book. Once I receive it. It's been nearly 3 months since I ordered this...Amazon will no longer be the beneficiary of my internet commerce.

Kind of essential lookback to something we'll never see again. All the messiness, sloppiness & amateurism that had me and my pals going all the time to the FE (Friday Night Late Show Only please!). One of few worthwhile rock books.