REVIEW: CHET HELMS TRIBUTE

Story & photos by Mark Miller

The spirit of Chet Helms shone down on a perfectly sunny October 30, as one final “tribal stomp” was held in Golden Gate Park in honor of the pioneering rock promoter of the psychedelic ’60s, who died on June 25 at age 62 following complications from a stroke.

Hundreds of musicians and dozens of bands donated their time for the free all-day concert that drew tens of thousands to say goodbye to Helms. Born in 1942 in Santa Maria, California, Helms relocated in Texas as a youth. He hitchhiked from Texas to San Francisco several times in the early ’60s, once bringing a then undiscovered Janis Joplin along for the ride. Helms humbly began his promoting career hosting jam sessions in his Haight-Ashbury home, which included performances by Big Brother and the Holding Company, who Helms managed as well. He then recruited Joplin to front Big Brother.

Helms formed the seminal Family Dog Productions, turning impromptu house parties into full-blown rock concerts at San Francisco’s Avalon Ballroom and free shows in Golden Gate Park. The Avalon’s trippy light shows helped redefine the live-concert experience. Helms was also credited with influencing the equally legendary promoter Bill Graham during that time period.

The Chet Helms Tribal Stomp tribute show opened ritualistically with a drum circle, bagpipes and flags, and with Native American prayers.
One of Helms’ favorites, Country Joe McDonald, then delivered his infamous anthem “The Fish Cheer’ (“And it’s one, two, three, what are we fighting for?”). The Mayor’s office declared it “Chet Helms Day” in San Francisco, and Chet’s brother, John, accepted the official plaque commemorating the day.

Blue Cheer was one of the best of the early bands and this appearance featured the first time singer/bassist Dickie Peterson and guitarist Leigh Stephens shared the stage in three decades. Named for a particular batch of Owsley LSD, Blue Cheer were generally on a different level than the typical psychedelic Bay Area band, and they demonstrated why they’re often regarded as one of the forbearers of heavy metal, closing with their unique take on “Summertime Blues.”

Jefferson Airplane’s Paul Kantner, Quicksilver’s David Freiberg and standout bassist Pete Sears came together as Planet Earth Rock & Roll Orchestra, performing Airplane classics “Volunteers,” “Someone to Love” and “White Rabbit.”

Canned Heat was also warmly received as they playing such band classics as “All By Myself,” “Let’s Work Together” and Helms’ favorite “Amphetamine Annie.”

Various MCs spoke between bands, including Wavy Gravy and Bruce Latimer. They recalled Helms’ gentle and unassuming nature, how he truly embodied the hippie ideals of the ’60s, his interest in theater dynamics and digital photography, and how his legacy continues on in such 21st Century events like Burning Man.

The later portion of the show featured the Squid B Viscous Orchestra, Lydia Pense and Zero II, sans guitarist Steve Kimock. An acid-rock finale with a Halloween twist closed the show with Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin impersonators along with a 10-foot-tall drag queen.

To urge the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame to induct Chet Helms, go to thepetitionsite.com.