Revered father of 'Summer of Love' dies in S.F. at 62

Revered father of 'Summer of Love' dies in S.F. at 62

Associated Press
Inside Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO ?- Chet Helms, the revered father of San Francisco's legendary Summer of Love, has died.

The man who once stood at the center of everything Sixties and psychedelic died Saturday surrounded by friends and family from stroke complications at San Francisco's California Pacific Medical Center. He was 62.

Helms ?- who proudly sported a grizzled beard and long hair topped by a hat throughout much of his adult life ?- was the founder and manager of Big Brother and the Holding Company and legendary lead singer Janis Joplin. He was a rock 'n' roll impresario whose Family Dog production company staged free concerts and "Human Be-ins" at Golden Gate Park that became the backdrop for San Francisco's Summer of Love in 1967.

He was the first producer of psychedelic light-show concerts at the Fillmore the Avalon Ballroom and was instrumental in helping to develop bands delivering the San Francisco Sound.

"We were part of an epoch," said Helms' assistant of 30 years, Jerilyn Brandelius. "He was a mover and a shaker but in the most gentle way. He was a producer not a promoter. He had the ability to set up an environment where people could feel free to create art. He took joy in that.

"This is going to be a tough one," she added. "His effect on people on a daily basis was transformative."

Helms was born in Santa Maria in 1942 and spent most of his youth in Missouri and Texas, where he tested his organizing powers by helping to stage benefits for civil and human rights groups.

He moved from Austin to San Francisco in 1962, returning once to convince Joplin to hitchhike back with him.

He hooked Joplin up with Big Brother for jam sessions in a Haight Asbury basement. They debuted in June 1966 at the Avalon, officially launching the short career of the most famous bluesy, boozy rock n' roll diva ever.

He ran the Atelier Dore art gallery in San Francisco since 1980 until he retired last year.

Helms is survived by his brothers Jim Helms of Hawaii and John of San Francisco. Funeral arrangements are pending.

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