God Speed, Chet Helms
Article 35 - San Francisco Nights: The Psychedelic Music Trip
The Man who along with Bill Graham kicked the poster revolution into gear has left us. As the leader of Family Dog productions he was a San Fran legend. Chet passed away after suffering a stroke. The music and rock art world mourns their loss today with the knowledge that Chet's work will inspire all of us forever.
I feel a huge emptiness, but I'm so appreciative that I got to meet Chet at Bonnaroo in 2003 and hang with him a couple of days. Chet was there selling Mouse's work along with his own concert photography. Seeing him down front and center in the "pit" at the James Brown show made my heart soar. Here he was practicing a passion, one he had done for over 35 years, documenting the music he loved so much...and I got to watch like a wonderous child. It put my whole career in prespective seeing a man of his age still at Festivals getting his groove on, proving you're never to old to Rock and Roll and follow your dreams.
Chet was wonderful human being and openly talked at length with Judy and I about the 60's posters scene over a huge plate of pancakes in the wee hours of the morning in Centeroo. He just walked up to where we were eating and made himself at home.It was surreal and was dream come true for a poster geek like myself, to whom he was an iconinc GOD in my life and career. All I could think was "Here I am eating breakfast with Chet Helms and talking posters...how cool is this", like I said....surreal.
I'm sad today for our loss, but I know that Chet is among the spirits of good friends like Janis and Griffin whom he spoke so lovingly of in our conversations. I'm so happy that I got to shake his hand and say "Thanks" for what he did. He looked me straight in the eyes and acknowledged my praise and admiration in such a humble and honest way, I will never forget it.
Thank you so much Chet for the inspiration and guidence, you will be dearly missed. I know I personally will feel his spirit everytime I step up to my press.
God Speed My Friend.
The Man who along with Bill Graham kicked the poster revolution into gear has left us. As the leader of Family Dog productions he was a San Fran legend. Chet passed away after suffering a stroke. The music and rock art world mourns their loss today with the knowledge that Chet's work will inspire all of us forever.
I feel a huge emptiness, but I'm so appreciative that I got to meet Chet at Bonnaroo in 2003 and hang with him a couple of days. Chet was there selling Mouse's work along with his own concert photography. Seeing him down front and center in the "pit" at the James Brown show made my heart soar. Here he was practicing a passion, one he had done for over 35 years, documenting the music he loved so much...and I got to watch like a wonderous child. It put my whole career in prespective seeing a man of his age still at Festivals getting his groove on, proving you're never to old to Rock and Roll and follow your dreams.
Chet was wonderful human being and openly talked at length with Judy and I about the 60's posters scene over a huge plate of pancakes in the wee hours of the morning in Centeroo. He just walked up to where we were eating and made himself at home.It was surreal and was dream come true for a poster geek like myself, to whom he was an iconinc GOD in my life and career. All I could think was "Here I am eating breakfast with Chet Helms and talking posters...how cool is this", like I said....surreal.
I'm sad today for our loss, but I know that Chet is among the spirits of good friends like Janis and Griffin whom he spoke so lovingly of in our conversations. I'm so happy that I got to shake his hand and say "Thanks" for what he did. He looked me straight in the eyes and acknowledged my praise and admiration in such a humble and honest way, I will never forget it.
Thank you so much Chet for the inspiration and guidence, you will be dearly missed. I know I personally will feel his spirit everytime I step up to my press.
God Speed My Friend.
posted by Judy Gex @ 1:22 PM
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