The Avalon Ballroom was a music venue in the Polk Gulch neighborhood of San Francisco, California, at 1244 Sutter Street (or 1268 Sutter, depending on the entrance). The space operated from 1966 to 1969, at the height of the counterculture movement.
The building that housed the Avalon Ballroom was built in 1911 and was originally called the Colin Traver Academy of Dance.
The Avalon was founded by Robert E. Cohen, impresario Chet Helms and his music production company, Family Dog Productions, which had offices on Van Ness. Bands were frequently booked to perform at the Avalon on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Extraordinary posters advertising each event were produced by psychedelic artists, including Rick Griffin, Stanley Mouse, Alton Kelley and Victor Moscoso.
A classic Liquid light show was often provided by "Diogenes Lantern Works."
In the 1960s, at the Avalon, two bands typically performed two sets during the evening beginning at about nine o'clock. Many local bands, such as Quicksilver Messenger Service and the Steve Miller Band, served as backup bands, as did the early Moby Grape and headliners such as The Doors, the 13th Floor Elevators, the Butterfield Blues Band and Big Brother and the Holding Company, which Helms organized around singer and performer Janis Joplin in spring 1966.
The Grateful Dead played at the Avalon 29 times from 1966 through 1969, and recorded two live albums, entitled Vintage Dead and Historic Dead, in the autumn of 1966. 2 tracks of their famous "Live/Dead" album were also recorded there in early 1969, The Eleven and Turn On Your Love Light.
On January 29, 1967, it hosted the Mantra-Rock Dance musical event, organized by the local Hare Krishna temple, which featured Hare Krishna founder Bhaktivedanta Swami, along with Allen Ginsberg, The Grateful Dead, Moby Grape and Big Brother and the Holding Company, with Janis Joplin.
The Avalon occupied the two top floors of the multi-story building at 1268 Sutter. An L-shaped, second-floor balcony surrounded the first-floor along the south and western walls, and the dance area was in front of the elevated stage in the northeast corner where musicians performed. The entrance doors were downstairs, and opened onto Sutter Street.
The Family Dog, at 2125 Pine Street was a hippie commune, which hosted dances and events, eight blocks from the Avalon, frequented by Helms and his friends. The Avalon was not as large as the Winterland Ballroom or The Fillmore, which had been used by Helms before Bill Graham allegedly violated their partnership agreements. However, the Avalon had the capacity of up to 500. The ballroom was 80 to 100 ft (24 to 30 m) by 160 to 180 feet (49 to 55 m). This area included the stage, which was 40 to 50 feet (12 to 15 m) wide. The dance floor could accommodate several hundred dancers. An omnipresent light show was created by several local lighting companies.
The Avalon lost its lease in November 1968; Cohen and Helms moved on to other pursuits — Helms became an art dealer, while still occasionally producing concerts. Cohen went on to form the national touring audio company, Bob Cohen Sound, that would tour with many former Avalon acts, and later founded Clearcom Intercom Systems.
The space was converted in 1968 to the Regency II Movie Theater, that operated by Blumenfeld Enterprises until 2001. The neighboring building, known as the Regency I Movie Theater was formerly the Regency Ballroom.
In 2003, after learning from Stanley Mouse that the building was available, neo-hippie Steve Shirley (aka Morning Spring Rain) of the Hog Farm commune and backed by Michael Lazar (owner of Shadow Lounge) and partner Michael Conners restored and re-opened the Avalon Ballroom. The venue Produced 70 plus concerts between 2003 and 2006. The former Avalon Ballroom was later used as the offices for fabric design company American Pacific Linens. In 2012 it became the headquarters of the internet company Wantful.com. The entire former ballroom space was renovated. Starting in August 2013, the building was used as the residence and principal filming location for The Real World: San Francisco (2014). As of early 2016 The Avalon is now the office of the ad agency Argonaut.
The Concerts
1966
April 22-23, 1966 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Blues Project, Great Society) April 29-30, 1966 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Grass Roots, Sons of Adam, Big Brother & the Holding Company) May 6, 1966 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Daily Flash, Charlatans (replacing the Rising Sons) Big Brother & the Holding Company) May 7, 1966 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Daily Flash, Rising Sons, Jaywalkers (replacing the Charlatans) May 13-14, 1966 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Blues Project, Sons of Adam, Quicksilver Messenger Service) May 19, 1966 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA ("Straight Theatre Reading & Dance Concert". Michael McClure, Grateful Dead, Wildflower, The Outfit) May 20-22, 1966 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Love, Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band, Big Brother & the Holding Company) May 27-28, 1966 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Leaves, Grass Roots, (28th only) Grateful Dead) June 3-4, 1966 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Grass Roots, Big Brother & the Holding Company, Buddha from Muir Beach) June 10-11, 1966 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Grateful Dead, Quicksilver Messenger Service, New Tweedy Brothers) June 17-18, 1966 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band, Oxford Circle) June 24-25, 1966 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Big Brother & the Holding Company, Quicksilver Messenger Service, The GIB) July 1-3, 1966 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Grass Roots, Daily Flash, Sopwith Camel) July 8-10, 1966 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Sir Douglas Quintet, Everpresent Fullness) July 15-16, 1966 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Love, Big Brother & the Holding Company. SHOW CANCELLED) July 22-23, 1966 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Jefferson Airplane, Great Society) July 28-30, 1966 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Bo Diddley, Quicksilver Messenger Service) August 5, 1966 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Big Brother & the Holding Company, Oxford Circle) August 6, 1966 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Bo Diddley, Sons of Adam) August 12-13, 1966 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Bo Diddley, Big Brother & the Holding Company) August 19-20, 1966 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Grateful Dead, Sopwith Camel) August 26-27, 1966 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band, Charlatans) September 2-3, 1966 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (13th Floor Elevators, Sir Douglas Quintet) September 9-10, 1966 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Quicksilver Messenger Service, Great Society) September 16-17, 1966 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Grateful Dead, Oxford Circle) September 23-24, 1966 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Big Brother & the Holding Company, Unquenchable Thirst (ex Grass Roots and replacing Howlin' Wolf who cancelled) September 30-October 1, 1966 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (13th Floor Elevators, Quicksilver Messenger Service) October 7-8, 1966 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Jim Kweskin Jug Band, Big Brother & the Holding Company, Electric Train) October 15-16, 1966 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Big Brother & the Holding Company, Sir Douglas Quintet, (16th) 13th Floor Elevators, (16th) The New Peanut Butter Sandwich, which featured members of Grateful Dead, Big Brother & the Holding Company, Quicksilver Messenger Service & Sir Douglas Quintet including, Ron "Pigpen" McKernan (GD), Jerry Garcia (GD), David Getz (BBHC), David Freiberg (QMS), Gary Duncan (QMS) & John Cipollina (QMS))
October 20-21, 1966 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Daily Flash, Country Joe & the Fish) October 28-29, 1966 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Quicksilver Messenger Service, Blackburn & Snow, Sons of Champlin) November 3-5, 1966 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Grateful Dead, Oxford Circle) November 11-12, 1966 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (13th Floor Elevators, Moby Grape) November 13, 1966 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA ("A Zenefit - Zen Mountain Center Benefit" with Grateful Dead, Big Brother & The Holding Company, Quicksilver Messenger Service) November 18-19, 1966 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Daily Flash, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Country Joe and the Fish) November 25-26, 1966 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Quicksilver Messenger Service, Country Joe & the Fish, Big Brother & the Holding Company) December 2-3, 1966 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Buffalo Springfield, Daily Flash, Congress of Wonders) December 9-10, 1966 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Big Brother & the Holding Company, Oxford Circle, Lee Michaels) December 16-17, 1966 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Youngbloods, Sparrow, Sons of Champlin) December 23-24, 1966 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Grateful Dead, Steve Miller Band, Moby Grape) December 27, 1966 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Benefit for the Lick Wilmerding School (an early alternative private school), with Big Brother & the Holding Company, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Universal Parking Lot)
December 30-31, 1966 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Country Joe & the Fish, Moby Grape, Lee Michaels)
Various Thursdays Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA ("Crowds Bug You?") Various Sundays Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA ("Sunday Night Tribal Gatherings")
1967
January 6-7, 1967 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Quicksilver Messenger Service, Steve Miller Blues Band, The Other Half) January 13-14, 1967 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Moby Grape, Sparrow, Charlatans) January 20-21, 1967 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Lee Michaels, Steve Miller Blues Band) January 27-28, 1967 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Grateful Dead, Quicksilver Messenger Service) January 29, 1967 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Mantra-Rock Dance. Bhaktivedanta Swami, Allen Ginsberg, The Grateful Dead, Moby Grape, Big Brother and the Holding Company) February 3-4, 1967 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Country Joe & the Fish, Kaleidoscope, The Sparrow) February 10-11, 1967 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Steve Miller Blues Band, Lee Michaels, Peanut Butter Conspiracy) February 17-18, 1967 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Big Brother & the Holding Company, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Oxford Circle) February 24-25, 1967 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Moby Grape, Charlatans, Iron Butterfly) March 3-4, 1967 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Country Joe and the Fish, Doors, Sparrow) March 5, 1967 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Benefit for Newstage & Straight Theater. Country Joe and The Fish, Moby Grape, Big Brother and the Holding Company, Sparrow, Grateful Dead, Michael McClure) March 10-11, 1967 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Steve Miller Blues Band, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Daily Flash) March 17-18, 1967 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Big Brother & the Holding Company, Charles Lloyd, Sir Douglas Quintet) March 22-23, 1967 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Quicksilver Messenger Service, John Lee Hooker, Miller Blues Band) March 24-25, 1967 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Grateful Dead, Charlatans, Johnny Hammond and His Screaming Nighthawks, Robert Baker) March 26, 1967 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Grateful Dead, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Eric Burdon and The Animals. Arrangements had been made for Eric Burdon and The Animals to show up and play a few numbers on the Grateful Dead’s equipment) March 31-April 1, 1967 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Big Brother & the Holding Company, Blue Cheer, Charlatans) April 7-8, 1967 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Charlatans, Canned Heat) April 14-15, 1967 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Doors, Miller Blues Band, Hajibaba) April 21-22, 1967 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Quicksilver Messenger Service, John Hammond and The Screamin Nighthawks, Charles Lloyd Quartet) April 28-29, 1967 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Chambers Brothers, Iron Butterfly) May 5-7, 1967 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Big Brother & the Holding Company, Sir Douglas Quintet, The Orkustra) May 12-13, 1967 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Doors, Sparrow) May 19-21, 1967 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Quicksilver Messenger Service, Country Joe and the Fish) May 26-28, 1967 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Charlatans, Blue Cheer, New Salvation Army Banned) June 1-4, 1967 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Miller Blues Band, (1st & 2nd) Daily Flash, (3rd & 4th) The Doors) June 6, 1967 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Moby Grape - Columbia Records Bash) June 8-11, 1967 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Big Brother & the Holding Company, Canned Heat Blues Band, Congress of Wonders) June 15-18, 1967 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Youngbloods, Siegal Schwall Band) June 22-25, 1967 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Charlatans, 13th Floor Elevators who cancelled) June 29-30, 1967 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Quicksilver Messenger Service, Mount Rushmore) July 1-2, 1967 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Blue Cheer, Big Brother & the Holding Company) July 4, 1967 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Quicksilver Messenger Service, Siegal Schwall, Phoenix) July 6-9, 1967 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Miller Blues Band, Siegal Schwall Band) July 10, 1967 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Benefit For The American Indian Well-Baby Care. Quicksilver Messenger Service, Ace Of Cups, American Indian Dancers) July 13-16, 1967 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Charlatans, Youngbloods, Other Half (16th) Wildflower) July 20-23, 1967 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Big Brother & the Holding Company, Mount Rushmore, Canned Heat, Mother Earth) July 27-30, 1967 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Blue Cheer, Captain Beefheart, Youngbloods) August 3-6, 1967 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Charles Lloyd Quartet, West Coast Natural Gas Company) August 10-13, 1967 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Moby Grape, Canned Heat, Vanilla Fudge. Mad River sit in using Moby Grape's amps on August 11) August 17-20, 1967 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Quicksilver Messenger Service, Other Half, (20th) Melvin Q) August 24, 1967 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Bo Diddley, Bukka White, Salvation Army Banned) August 25-27, 1967 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Big Brother & the Holding Company, Salvation Army Banned) September 1-3, 1967 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Steve Miller Band, Mother Earth, Bukka White) September 8-10, 1967 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (South Side Sound, Phoenix, Freedom Highway) September 15-17, 1967 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Youngbloods, Other Half, Mad River) September 22-24, 1967 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Charlatans, Buddy Guy) September 29-October 1, 1967 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Vanilla Fudge, Charles Lloyd Quartet) October 6-8, 1967 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Blue Cheer, Lee Michaels) October 13-15, 1967 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Buddy Guy, (13th & 14th) Captain Beefheart, (15th) Blue Cheer) October 20-22, 1967 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Van Morrison, Daily Flash, Hair) October 27-29, 1967 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Quicksilver Messenger Service, Sons of Champlin, Taj Mahal & the Blue Flames) November 3-5, 1967 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Canned Heat, Lothar and the Hand People, Allmen Joy, Super Ball) November 10-12, 1967 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Youngbloods, Mad River) November 17-19, 1967 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Bo Diddley, Lee Michaels) November 23-25, 1967 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Big Brother & the Holding Company, Mount Rushmore, Blue Cheer) November 30-December 2, 1967 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Flatt and Scruggs, Lewis and Clark Expedition) December 8-10, 1967 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Jim Kweskin Jug Band, Sons of Champlin) December 15-17, 1967 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Quicksilver Messenger Service, Charlatans, Congress of Wonders) December 21-23, 1967 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Siegal Schwall, Blue Cheer, Soul Survivors) December 28-29, 1967 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Jim Kweskin Jug Band, Country Joe and the Fish, Lee Michaels, Blue Cheer) December 31, 1967 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Blue Cheer, Country Joe and the Fish, Lee Michaels, Flamin' Groovies, Mad River, Mount Rushmore)
1968
January 5-7, 1968 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Youngbloods, Ace of Cups) January 12-14, 1968 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Quicksilver Messenger Servic, Kaleidoscope, Charley Musselwhite) January 19-21, 1968 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Genesis, Siegal Schwall, Mother Earth) January 26-28, 1968 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Country Joe and the Fish, Charlatans, Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks) February 2-4, 1968 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Electric Flag, Mad River, Fugs, 13th Floor Elevators) February 9-11, 1968 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Siegal Schwall, Buddy Guy, Hour Glass, Mance Lipscomb) February 16-18, 1968 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Youngbloods, Mount Rushmore, Phoenix) February 21, 1968 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Blues Project, Siegal Schwall, Lee Michaels, Youngbloods, Sons of Champlin, Wildflower. Lights by Electric Wallpaper) February 22, 1968 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Quicksilver Messenger Service, Charlatans, Congress of Wonders, Mother Earth, Curley Cook, Lee Michaels, Headlights) February 23-25, 1968 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Buddy Guy, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Son House) March 1-3, 1968 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Blues Project, Genesis, Taj Mahal) March 8-10, 1968 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Love, (8th & 9th) Blue Cheer, (10th) Sons of Champlin & Congress of Wonders) March 13, 1968 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Black Swan, Pyewacket, Marble Farm, The Ark, Synthetic Now) March 15-17, 1968 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Blood, Sweat and Tears, John Handy, Son House) March 20, 1968 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (KMPX Strike Benefit. Blue Cheer, Charley Musselwhite, Kaleidoscope, Jeremy Steig & The Satyrs, Clover, Frumious Bandersnatch, Santana Blues Band) March 22-24, 1968 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Seigal Schwall, Kaleidoscope, Savage Resurrection) March 27, 1968 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (KMPX Strike Benefit. Jeremy Steig & The Satyrs, Sons of Champlin, It's A Beautiful Day, Creedence Clearwater Revival) March 29-31, 1968 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Jerry Steig and the Satyrs, Sons of Champlin, Fourth Way) April 5-7, 1968 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Blues Project, It's A Beautiful Day, Nazz Are Blues Band) April 12-14, 1968 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Fugs, Ace of Cups, Allmen Joy) April 19-21, 1968 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Steppenwolf, Charley Musselwhite, 4th Way, Indian Head Band) April 26-28, 1968 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Quicksilver Messenger Service, Charlatans, It's A Beautiful Day) May 3-5, 1968 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Junior Wells, Canned Heat, Crome Syrcus, Clover) May 10-12, 1968 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Quicksilver Messenger Service, Ace of Cups, Flamin Groovies) May 15, 1968 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Cancelled. Peace and Freedom Party Benefit "Dick Gregory for President Committee", with Monty Water's Big Band, Cleveland Wrecking Co., Hyler Jones Quartet, Sons of Champlin, The Kaleidoscope) May 17-19, 1968 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Junior Wells, Sons of Champlin, Santana Blues Band) May 24-26, 1968 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Youngbloods, Kaleidoscope, Hour Glass) May 28-29, 1968 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Spring Medicine Show, A Benefit For The Haight-Ashbury Free Medical Clinic. Crystal Syphon, Allmen Joy, Phoenix, Country Weather, Indian Head Band, Linn County, Mint Tattoo, Santana Blues Band, Initial Shock, AB Skhy Blues Band, Loading Zone, It's A Beautiful Day) May 31-June 2, 1968 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Taj Mahal, Dave Van Ronk, Family Tree, AB Skhy Blues Band, Creedence Clearwater Revival) June 7-9, 1968 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Iron Butterfly, Velvet Underground, Chrome Cyrcus) June 14-16, 1968 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Frumious Bandersnatch, Clear Light, Buddy Guy) June 21-23, 1968 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Kaleidoscope, Mother Earth, Country Weather) June 28-30, 1968 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Sir Douglas Quintet (replacing the Youngbloods), It's A Beautiful Day, Dog, Santana Blues Band, Shiva’s Headband) July 1, 1968 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Creedance Clearwater Revival) July 4-7, 1968 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Iron Butterfly, Indian Head Band, Collectors) July 12-14, 1968 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Steve Miller Band, Howlin' Wolf, Conqueroo) July 19-21, 1968 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Tim Buckley, Velvet Underground, Allmen Joy) July 23-25, 1968 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Country Joe and the Fish, Pacific Gas and Electric, Boogie) July 26-28, 1968 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Quicksilver Messenger Service, Dan Hicks & His Hot Licks, Howlin' Wolf) August 2-4, 1968 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Chrome Cyrcus, Holy Modal Rounders, Pink Floyd) August 9-11, 1968 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Steppenwolf, Siegal Schwall, Santana) August 16-18, 1968 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Bill Haley and the Comets, Drifters, Flamin' Groovies) August 23-25, 1968 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Spirit, Sir Douglas Quintet, Notes From the Underground) August 29-31, 1968 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Youngbloods, It's A Beautiful Day, Initial Shock) September 6-8, 1968 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (James Cotton Blues Band, Sir Douglas Quintet + 2, Pulse, Womb) September 9, 1968 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Steve Miller, Sons of Champlin) September 13-15, 1968 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (John Mayall, Big Mama Mae Thornton & Hound Dog Band Featuring Harmonica George, Black Pearl) September 20-22, 1968 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Steve Miller Band, Muddy Waters, A.B. Skhy Blues Band) September 27-29, 1968 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Flatt and Scruggs, Jack Elliott, Sons of Champlin, Country Weather) October 4-6, 1968 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Quicksilver Messenger Service, Black Pearl, Ace of Cups) October 11-13, 1968 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Grateful Dead, Lee Michaels, Linn County, Mance Lipscomb) October 18-20, 1968 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Velvet Underground, Charley Musselwhite, Initial Shock) October 25-27, 1968 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Buddy Miles Express, Dino Valenti, Country Weather) November 1-3, 1968 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Byrds, Taj Mahal, Genesis) November 8-10, 1968 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Mother Earth, Kaleidoscope, A.B. Skhy) November 15-17, 1968 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Love, Lee Michaels, Saloom Sinclair & Mother Bear) November 22-24, 1968 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Sir Douglas Quintet +2, Velvet Underground, Flamin' Groovies, (23rd & 24th) 'Magical Mystery Tour' Movie) November 28-30, 1968 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Quicksilver Messenger Service, Sons of Champlin, Initial Shock) December 6-8, 1968 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Kaleidoscope, Magic Sam, Johnny Winter)
1969
January 24-26, 1969 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Grateful Dead, Sons of Champlin, Initial Shock) January 31-February 2, 1969 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Van Morrison, Black Pearl, Saloom Sinclair & Mother Bear) February 7-9, 1969 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Youngbloods, Lee Michaels, Screamin’ Jay Hawkins) February 28-March 2, 1969 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Love, Mad River, Zephyr, (28th-1st) Pulse, (2nd) Cleanliness and Godliness Skiffle Band) March 21-23, 1969 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Santana, Sons of Champlin, Dancing Food and Entertainment) March 26, 1969 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Santana, It's A Beautiful Day, Allmen Joy, The Lamb, AAA) March 27, 1969 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Cleveland Wrecking Company, Ace Of Cups, Conqueroo, Morning Glory) March 28, 1969 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Melting Pot, Cleanliness and Godliness Skiffle Band, Linn County, The 4th Way, Deadly Nightshade) March 29, 1969 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Shades of Joy, Clover, Country Weather, Frumious Bandersnatch) March 30, 1969 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Youngbloods, AB Skye, Initial Shock, Alice Cooper, Pure Funk) April 4-6, 1969 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA Grateful Dead, Aum, Flying Burrito Brothers, (6th) Sanpaku) May 30, 1969 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (5t)