'60s rockers pay tribute to Chet Helms

From Mercury News:

'60s rockers pay tribute to promoter
Brad Kava
Mercury News

San Francisco has always found a way to celebrate its musical heritage with big free concerts in Golden Gate Park. The one coming up Sunday is no exception. It will be like a high school reunion for old hippies and an introduction to the roots of classic rock for younger music fans.
The show is a tribute to Chet Helms, the longhaired and bearded promoter who was like Bill Graham without the business instincts. His Family Dog club competed with Graham's Fillmore and helped build the 1960s San Francisco scene.

Performers at Golden Gate Park's Speedway Meadows from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. will include War; Taj Mahal; Sammy Hagar; Jefferson Starship members Paul Kantner, David Frieberg, Pete Sears and Prairie Prince; Eric Burdon (the Animals, ``San Franciscan Nights''); Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks with a special appearance by the Charlatans; Nick Gravenites; Harvey Mandel; Country Joe McDonald and Barry ``The Fish'' Melton; Zero II featuring Martin Fierro and Greg Anton; the Rowan Brothers; Quicksilver Gold featuring Joli Valenti, Peter Harris and Mario Cipollina; Ramblin' Jack Elliott and Roy Rogers; Cold Blood featuring Lydia Pense; Jerry Miller from Moby Grape; Blue Cheer featuring Dickie Peterson and Leigh Stephens and Canned Heat.

The concert is an electric alternative to the acoustic Bridge School Benefit at Shoreline Amphitheatre, which takes place Saturday and Sunday. The Bridge concert's lineup includes Bright Eyes, Norah Jones, Good Charlotte, and on Sunday, Dave Matthews -- as well as classic rockers CSNY, Jerry Lee Lewis, and on Saturday, John Mellencamp.

LESH SHOW: A pity that Ryan Adams bailed out of the Phil Lesh show scheduled at Bimbo's on Thursday. Adams has been bailing a lot lately. Tickets were up to $450 on the Internet to see the quirky rocker with the Grateful Dead bass player. The Lesh camp is promising someone of equal interest.

Lesh, who didn't show up for the September Jerry Garcia tribute in Berkeley attended by the rest of the Grateful Dead, is probably working hard to call in some favors for the smallest show he has played in eons.