February 21, 2020 was a big day for me with my friend Cliff, my first social work supervisor from 1978. We drove into the city arriving at 9:30 AM and began walking. First to Strawberry Fields and The Dakota then to breakfast at Old John's Luncheonette on W67th Street. We arrived at noon at the NY Historical Society Museum for The Bill Graham Exhibit. We departed at 2 PM for our visit to Vessel at 32nd St and 11th. Following dinner at 5 we taxied up to Jazz at Lincoln Center to see Sounds of Cuba and New Orleans with Herlin Riley, Nicholas Payton and Pedrito Martinez. Herlin recently underwent surgery and had the young and talented Joe Dyson fill the drum seat. The show was exceptional and our front row seats afforded a tremendous experience. The view of this stage with the skyline backdrop is unparalleled.
The Graham exhibit is a must see for anyone who enjoys seminal rock bands and their history. More importantly, the manner in which Bill Graham used the force of the music for social change, again and again. This is epic and historic. Come and see it before it moves in August. Hopefully these images will inspire you to check it out.