A metal plaque that commemorated the Fillmore East, a legendary music venue, has disappeared from the site of the closed concert hall in the Lower East Side about a week ago. Local preservationists are seeking its return.
Andrew Berman, the executive director of Village Preservation, expressed dismay over the missing plaque and suggested that it might have been stolen, but no definitive conclusion has been reached.
The Village Preservation organization collaborated with the Two Boots Foundation to install the plaque outside the former Apple Bank on Second Avenue in October 2014. The Fillmore East, operational from 1968 to 1971, hosted renowned artists and left a lasting impact on music history.
During its brief existence, the Fillmore East saw performances by major artists such as John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix, and Led Zeppelin, as documented in the book “Fillmore East: The Venue That Changed Rock Music Forever.”
The Fillmore East was known for hosting legendary performances, with the Allman Brothers’ shows in March 1971 standing out. A live album from those shows was ranked as the second-best of its kind by Rolling Stone.
The missing plaque served as a tribute to the venue’s historical significance and its impact on the music scene. Its disappearance has left many saddened and questioning the lack of respect for historical artifacts.
Despite suspicions that a former bank employee might have taken the plaque, Andrew Berman remains uncertain about the circumstances surrounding its disappearance.
