How We Got Loud - 9. Lee Brenkman, Great American Music Hall

The San Fransisco Bay area was very influential on the music scene in the late '60s and early '70s. In this episode, I am talking with Lee Brenkman, who has spent over 50 years working in many of the iconic venues there like the Avalon Ballroom, Family Dog on the Great Highway, and the Great American Music Hall.

A very influential person in live sound history is Bob Cohen. He was the co-owner, co-manager, and sound engineer for the Family Dog, the San Francisco concert promoter that ran neck-and-neck with Bill Graham.

Cohen went on to start his own sound company called Lumiere Productions. He invented the modern-day intercom system and founded the company Clear-Com with Charlie Butten. Lee Brenkman was there in the shop as Bob and Charlie were drawing the schematics out on butcher paper.

For the last 47 years, Lee has worked at the Great American Music Hall as the house sound tech and later becoming the sound department head. We spent a fair amount of time talking about the progression of gear through the years there, along with some memorable shows like Duke Ellington's last San Fransisco performances, Robin Williams HBO Special, and more.
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Jimmy Hendrix Show for Family Dog in Denver Colorado, Feb 14, 1968Lee discusses this the show and how he provided support speakers in the episode. you can listen to a recording of the show.
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