San Francisco venue. Do not confuse with [l755025]
Developed by Chet Helms, from 1962, as a concert venue for budding West Coast bands. See also, the later venue [l318657]

Helms was much a catalyst for the emergence of key 'psychedelic' acts of the era. After bringing college friend Janis Joplin into San Francisco, managing [a90232] and setting up [a2837027], his Avalon Ballroom concerts helped create a whole new vision for music of the 'Hippie' generation. In the early period, Helms also interpolated in promotions with Bill Graham, who subsequently opened [l350188]. Concerts moved from the Avalon, after a noise-abatement order, and opened in the summer of 1969 at The Great Highway - aka [l318657].

Helms' vision also brought forth a wealth of now highly-collectible concert posters of the era and also brought the now renowned designers to public attention. Many of the posters feature the top-hatted Indian motif that became synonymous with Family Dog. The motif's legend "May the Baby Jesus shut your mouth and open your mind", on the April 22/23 1966 poster, was reiterated on the 1st issue liner of [m77399].

The Ballroom was reopened in 2003 by Steve Shirley, as part of the Regency Center - previously a movie theater.