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January 8, 1931
Wolfgang "Bill" Grajonca is born in Berlin, Germany to his Russian - Jewish parents Freida and Jacob.
1941
Bill flees Nazi occupied Europe for New York City, is adopted by Alfred and Pearl Ehrenreich, and Americanizes his name to Bill Graham.
1955 - 1965
Bill settles in San Francisco, California in 1955. In 1965 he becomes business manager for the San Francisco Mime Troupe, a social and political live theatre group.
November 6,1965
The Mime Troupe produces "Appeal Party" a fund-raising arts and music event. Four thousand people lined up to watch Sandy Bull, The Committee, The Fugs, and Jefferson Airplane. The loft's capacity was 500. This becomes one of the most significant evenings of Bill's life. He states "This is the business of the future."
February 4, 1966
Bill Graham Presents promotes its first show, the Jefferson Airplane at the Fillmore Auditorium.
1967
The Summer of Love in San Francisco draws thousands to San Francisco's Haight - Ashbury while Bill promotes a diverse mix of artists such as Jimi Hendrix, Doors, John Lee Hooker, Albert King, Big Brother six nights a week at the Fillmore and Winterland.
March 8, 1968
Bill Graham Presents produces its first show at the Fillmore East in New York City with Big Brother and the Holding Company, Tim Buckley and Albert King.
December 31, 1969
On New Years Eve Bill Graham Presents Santana at the Fillmore West and Jimi Hendrix at the Fillmore East.
August 5, 1973
BGP produces the first Day on the Green at the Oakland Stadium featuring Leon Russell and Loggins and Messina.
1975
San Francisco's Board of Education drastically cuts athletics programs. BGP responds by producing the SNACK benefit at Kezar Stadium (Students Need Athletics Culture and Kicks). Bill presents a check for $170,000 to the school district.
1976
The WHO and the Grateful Dead play together at a Day on the Green (D.O.G.) show. Later this year the "Last Waltz" with The Band and friends is filmed by Martin Scorsese at Winterland.
1980
BGP diversifies and promotes theatre and dance with "Ain't Misbehavin", Twyla Tharp Dance Troupe, and Bob Fosse's "Dancin".
1982
Bill and Steve Wozniak of Apple Computer fame produce the US Festival, a massive three day music and technology event at the Glen Helen Regional Park in Devore, Ca.
December 4, 1983
BGP opens Punch Line Comedy Club of San Francisco.
1986
The new Shoreline Amphitheatre opens with Julio Iglesias. The season ends with Neil Young's first Bridge School Benefit featuring Crosby, Stills and Nash and Bruce Springsteen.
1986
BGP produces the first Amnesty Tour "A Conspiracy of Hope" with U2, Peter Gabriel, and the Police.
1988
Fillmore Auditorium reopens with Alpha Blondie and Little Women.
November 26, 1989
A month after the 7.0 earthquake wracks the San Francisco Bay Area, BGP organizes a benefit concert and community telethon with KQED. Concerts in San Francisco, Oakland and Watsonville and raise $1 million, which Bill matches.
1990
BGP kicks off "In Concert Against AIDS", a week of concerts to foster understanding of the deadly disease and to raise money for AIDS organizations.
1990
Bay Area welcomes Nelson Mandela with a tribute concert "For a Free South Africa."
October 25, 1991
Bill Graham, Steve Kahn and Melissa Gold perish in a helicopter accident after leaving the Huey Lewis and the News show in Concord, Ca.
November 3, 1991
"Laughter, Love and Music", 350,000 people gather at Golden Gate Park to mourn the passing of Bill Graham, Steve Kahn and Melissa Gold with a celebration of music.
November 1991
Bill Graham Foundation is created to give grants primarily in the areas of arts and education, while also supporting social work, environmental protection, and compassionate projects in our community.
1992
Bill Graham Presents employees complete the purchase of the company from the Graham estate.
1992
BGP fulfills Bill's wishes to produce Native American benefit "All Our Colors" at the Shoreline Amphitheatre.
1993
BGP produces Peter Gabriel's WOMAD tour. 100,000 attend the Golden Gate Park's Polo Fields show.
April 27, 1994
The earthquake-damaged Fillmore reopens with the Smashing Pumpkins, Ry Cooder, David Lindley and Linda Perry's American Music Club.
1996
Beastie Boys and Bill Graham Presents bring the two day Tibetan Freedom Concerts to San Francisco.
1999
BGP builds the Fillmore Auditorium in Denver to rave reviews, opening with Trey Anastasio.
August 1, 2000
Bill Graham Presents/SFX is sold to Clear Channel Entertainment (CCE).
June 10, 2000
Bill Graham Presents/CCE opens the Sacramento Valley Amphitheatre with Stone Temple Pilots.
May 17, 2001
His Holiness the Dalai Lama holds three days of teachings at the Shoreline Amphitheatre
2003
BGP/Clear Channel Entertainment completes the construction of the White River Amphitheatre in Auburn, Wa. and opens with local favorites, Heart.
2003
18th Annual Bridge School Benefit at the Shoreline Amphitheatre presents Neil Young and friends in the continuing support of the school, students and its teachers.
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