2nd Edition
Nearly 45 years ago on December 31, 1978, an extraordinary event took place at Post and Steiner streets in San Francisco as over 5000 Deadheads gathered with their favorite band to pay tribute and bid farewell to one of the most beloved music venues in the Bay Area, Bill Graham’s historic Winterland Arena.
Reignite Memories of this Amazing Event
THIS OLD BUILDING:
The Closing of Winterland
This dazzling photo book by Jarid S. Johnson is filled with exquisite black & white photos of this historic event as it unfolded around the venue that day, inside that night and right on through breakfast at dawn. There is more to this beautiful soft-bound, 8.5×11, 124-page, 2nd edition coffee table book than meets the eye.
Adding to the wonder of the photos, This Old Building: The Closing of Winterland is filled with amazing tales from Deadheads, contributing a layer of personal narrative and a broader context to our shared experience that night of December 31, 1978.
Along with these phenomenal stories you’ll find a personal introduction by longtime Winterland production manager Bob Barsotti and a foreword by legendary San Francisco music author Joel Selvin.
A Moment in Time Represented by a Photo
Elicits Memories the Same as a Familiar Smell
Having the ability to hold a book in one’s hands, to turn a page, to ponder the contents, context and impact of an image or a story allows the mind to drill deep into recollections long forgotten, to bring forth the past into the present, to reignite excitement and passion.
Almost 45 years ago on December 31, 1978, an extraordinary event took place on the corner of Post and Steiner streets in San Francisco as thousands of Deadheads gathered with their favorite band to pay tribute and bid farewell to one of the most beloved music venues in the Bay Area, Bill Graham’s famed Winterland Arena.
The Closing of Winterland featured the Blues Brothers, the New Riders of the Purple Sage, the good ‘ole Grateful Dead and of course, the Deadheads.
This Rich Photographic Document Will Put You Right Back at Winterland on That Last Day of 1978
Amazing! What a thrill to not only finally see your photos, but to see them presented in such a stylish and loving way. Been taking a magnifying glass to some of the crowd shots looking for friends and loving everyone’s stories. To say I’m grateful for all your exterior, interior and crowd shots would be an understatement, and of course, nothing like seeing new images of the show all these years later!
—Rob B.
Thank you for your awesome book! It brings back so many warm memories and pieces of myself that I had forgotten about. I can’t imagine how much time, energy and love went into this tremendous project. I hope you savor how many hearts you’ve touched with your beautiful book.
—Nancy L.
Congratulations! It is obviously a well-conceived and beautifully printed reminder of that bittersweet New Year’s Eve at Winterland all those years ago. Thanks for going to bat for your book during its printing – your attention to detail has paid off and we all are winners! Onward! Oh, and I forgot to mention, your photos are a little time-machines. Bravissimo!
—Jeff C.
I have received your beautiful book. I’m reading it while listening to the show. Swarms of memories are dancing in my head. Congratulations on a successful publishing.
—Don P.
I am getting such pleasure out of reading your book, as if it’s a novel, as in cover to cover. I’m sitting in my backyard in the beautiful southern California sun listening to 12/31/78 as I reminisce with you. Thanks for all you did.
—Doug A.
I love the personal photos, the straightforward layout; the delightful weight and heft of an actual BOOK amount to immensely satisfying comfort food for Deadheads. Great job!
—Dan F