 |
 |
  |
||
 "Chet Remembered"
Chet Helms was so loved by so many people. It would be hard to imagine another who I knew personally who was so universally adored. He was kind, friendly and approachable. He seemed completely oblivious to the fact that he was to many an icon. He never rested on his laurels, and was never out of date. And he was so active socially, constantly out and about, and a true hero in that regard. I was fortunate to call him a friend and inspired by his love of people. I will miss him a lot. I arrived in San Francisco in the summer of 77, a month or two before I was to start law school at USF, I remember driving across the Bay bridge with everything I owned in the back of a yellow Toyota station wagon,…and driving right past the city and down to Army Street before I realized I was now heading out of town. (Little did I know that I was driving through Bernal Heights where I would later make my home.) I heard an announcement on KSAN about the show and it mentioned the phone number for the promoter, the Family Dog. I called the number, spoke to Chet, and he’s been my friend ever since. Actually, I called and invited myself over to their offices, a storefront in Potrero Hill, met with Chet and offered my services as a volunteer, was given a huge stack of beautiful Tea Latrec posters that had just come in, and was asked to put ‘em up around town. I have a framed poster in my office; it reminds me of the week I arrived and the ease with which I found exactly what I loved most about San Francisco and its music,… immediately.
Thanks, Chet. Links: |
|
|
a decade after the Summer of Love,…but just in time to catch the Tribal Stomp at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley, a reunion of Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Country Joe and the Fish, Canned Heat, Lee Michaels, Big Brother and the Holding Company, It’s a Beautiful Day, Joy of Cooking, the Chambers Brothers, and others on a perfect summer day in a place that would be my home for the next 28 years. 
For 28 years I kept in touch with Chet. Stopped by his gallery on Bush Street. Exchanged emails (he liked a good joke, and would reply when one really hit home). And I’d see him everywhere. He really knew how to enjoy life and all that San Francisco had to offer. His popularity was understandable and deserved. It was everything that I envied; being loved and respected by everyone he knew, and that was a lot of love. 
