On May 20, 1967, Birmingham High School, now known as Birmingham Community Charter High School, in Van Nuys held a concert in their stadium as a fund raiser to pay off the debt incurred when the stadium was built.
The concert headlined Jefferson Airplane and the opening acts of The Doors, Peanut Butter Conspiracy, The Merry Go Round, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, The Sunshine Company as well as a “battle of the bands” finale featuring local San Fernando Valley bands.
Tickets were only $3!
It was the first big show The Doors played with over 10,000 people showing up.
Birmingham High School
17000 Haynes Street
Van Nuys, CA 91406
Our band “Distortion” was one of the Finalists of the KHJ Boss Battle. Members included: John Yaffe (guitar/vocals), Dan Sawyer (guitar, vocals, sax/flute) Steve Garrett (vocals / bass guitar), Dave Weinstein (rhythm guitar), and myself Steve Kitnick (drums).
Funny I just found this, I was at that concert as I remember it was 2 books of Bluechip savings stamps that got you in also if you had 4 books you could go back stage as I did. I spoke with John Densmore back stage and mentioned I the saw Doors at the Cinnamon Cinder in Studio City Ca. With “Love” and “Iron Butterfly”.That show was a year or two before the “Doors” first record same with “Butterfly”.there was only 1 FM radio station it was the”PP” 106.7 KPPC.
I was there too. We sold candy bars for the new stadium to get in and I remember that Jefferson Airplane had ‘Top Billing’. But, after The Doors played (and really rocked the stadium) people were leaving early after Jefferson Airplane was playing. My group had to help take down the chairs. Who knew how really BIG The doors and Jefferson Airplane would turn out to be.
John Davidson
Birmingham High 1967-70