On the second leg of the Joshua Tree US Tour, U2 decided to have a spontaneous “Save The Yuppies” free concert at Justin Herman Plaza, so on November 11, 1987 about 20,000 people gathered within minutes to see them.
During the song “Pride (In the Name of Love)” Bono spray painted the slogan “Rock’n’Roll Stops The Traffic” onto a sculpture/waterfall next to the impromptu stage. The scene is forever captured in their 1989 movie “Rattle and Hum”.
San Francisco’s Recreations and Parks Commission voted in November of 2017 to remove the name of former city planner Justin Herman from the plaza ending a decades-long argument about whether it’s appropriate to honor Herman, whose policies shaped modern San Francisco but also wiped out underserved communities. It is now simply known as “Embarcadero Plaza“.
Other Notable Acts That Played at Justin Herman Plaza Include:
9/10/2015 – Train
2/7/2007 – Jefferson Starship
10/21/2002 – Sammy Hagar
6/16/1995 – Tower of Power
4/3/1995 – Radiohead
4/14/1993 – Belly
7/25/1989 – Tim Finn
7/21/1978 – Greg Kihn Band
Justin Herman Plaza
1 Market Street
San Francisco CA 94105
I worked in the Embarcadero Center at that time!. We knew what was happening and I was there foeer the whole thing. Simply amazing. I wish they still had that intensity.
I was driving across the bay bridge, heard the announcement on the radio. Ended up in front & in the movie.
I was riding my bike in downtown San Francisco and saw them setting up the stage. I was curious so I hung around and end up front row left side of the stage! Amazing
I was a freshman at George Washington HS in the city and my mom worked at 211 main st. She called my school tombs them I had a dental appt and to meet her at her job! Best mom Ever!! Legendary! Saw the Joshua Tree tour at Cow Palace too!
My mother got me out of school for this one! Freshman yr George Washington HS. Legendary!!