Bill Graham

AKA:

Uncle Bobo

Birth Name:

Wulf Wolodia Grajonca

Birth Date:

January 8, 1931

Birth Place:

Berlin, Germany

Death Date:

October 25, 1991

Place of Death:

6 miles West of Vallejo, Solano County, California

Age:

Cause of Death:

Helicopter crash

Cemetery Name:

Eternal Home Jewish Cemetery

Claim to Fame:

Business and Finance

Even though Bill Graham didn't play an instrument or sing in a band, he's one of the most famous names in rock history. Bill Graham was a legendary impresario and rock concert promoter from the 1960s until his death in 1991 in a helicopter crash. Bill was the first and most successful of turning concerts and like events into a profitable endeavour for both the business and the artists. Graham had a profound influence around the world, sponsoring the musical renaissance of the '60s from the epicenter, San Francisco. Chet Helms and then Bill Graham made famous the Fillmore and Winterland Ballroom; these turned out to be a proving grounds for rock bands and acts of the San Francisco Bay area including the Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, and Big Brother and the Holding Company with Janis Joplin, who were first managed, and in some cases developed, by Chet Helms.

Fun Fact:

After Graham made his way backstage to greet the band and make small talk with the staff, Graham was stopped by the bass player from Huey Lewis and the News, Mario Cippolina, who, in a moment of foresight, noted the poor weather, and suggested that Graham to take his limousine. He declined the offer and walked away wearing, ironically, a Lynyrd Skynyrd tour jacket. In case you don’t remember, In 1977 the band Lynyrd Skynyrd endured a plane crash that killed several of its members and staff.

Bill Graham’s last home was located at 800 Corte Madera Avenue in Corte Madera, California. I say “was located” because his house was torn down in 2002 and replaced.

The approximate coordinates for the helicopter crash are 38°09′11″N 122°24′45″W. The new tower is at the same location but that is not the original tower which had to be rebuilt.

The Bell 206B JetRanger had an airframe total time of 6,279 hours and its last inspection was on September 9, 1991, seven logged hours before the accident. The pilot was 42-year-old Steve Kahn, who held valid airline transport, flight instructor, and commercial certificates, with 4,541 total flight hours logged. At the time of the crash, an inquiry found the pilot had considerable geographic knowledge of the area and decided to fly visual flight rules (VFR) when conditions would indicate use of instrument flight rules (IFR).

Cemetery Information:

Final Resting Place:

Eternal Home Jewish Cemetery

1051 El Camino Real

Colma, California, 94014

USA

North America

Grave Location:

Block 700, Row G

Grave Location Description

As you enter the cemetery from El Camino Real, the office will be on your right and after 50 feet you will turn left at the first opportunity. Drive through the first roundabout and park at the furthest point after the next roundabout. Walk straight ahead (same direction as the road) and walk to the second section. Turn left and walk towards the brick wall and 5 rows from the wall and 15 spaces to your right you will find the final resting place of Bill Graham.