Donn Smith's (DJS) Music History

A rapid rise to the top.

We feature a large selection of autographs from the world of music. Therefore, a history of my participation in what I refer to as the Golden Age of rock follows.

Having graduated High School in ’66 - it was very desperate time with the country split over the Vietnam war. Having been an avid baseball player, I was lucky enough to have caught the eye of a Red Sox scout. He worked with me daily trying to get my pitching mechanics in order as I could throw the ball regularly at 90-mph. However, my control was less than perfect. As a courtesy to the scout, Boston drafted me in the last round. My father rejected the idea, and thus started my journey into the world of music. I started with a trip to San Francisco where my brother Paul was living. After enrolling in college, I found myself in the summer of love, and Haight-Ashbury was calling. It provided me with an introduction to the hottest music scene in the country if not the world. Weekends were spent at the famous ballrooms, either the Fillmore Avalon or Winterland enjoying the wide music variations being presented. 

After the end of ’67 I hitched back across the country to NYC. Mike Gleason (a long time friend of my brother) gave me a place to crash in the East Village. The Village Voice was loaded with ads and one of them caught my eye - a new theater was being renovated to become a rock palace. Turned out to be the Fillmore East resurrecting the ol' Lowes Cinema on 2nd and 7th. Luck or destiny got me hired and it was like a new type of education. Theatre arts from the ground up. The vast majority of leaders were all grads and professors at NYU Theater School. Some have passed and others I am fortunate to still be in contact with.

Have to give a shout out to Bill Hanley “Father of Festival Sound” who provided the original sound system at the Fillmore. Bill is well known for doing the sound at Woodstock. He was my inspiration and mentor to being an audio engineer in all aspects, the art of mixing and the knowledge of both acoustics and technology. Kip Cohen, John Morris and Chip Monk were Bill Graham's reps in NY and an excellent job they did too.

They recommended me for the 1968 Jimi Hendrix tour mainly as a guide to the Brits crewing the stage. It was a remarkable experience travelling and getting paid by the then current master of guitar and song. He will never be forgotten. After finishing the tour I was back in NYC where three remarkable things happened.

First, I met my lifelong companion Nicki with the cutest London accent you ever heard. Second, I was warmly welcomed back to the stage at the Fillmore. Third, I had an offer to build and manage NYC’s first rehearsal studio for Rock and Roll, Baggies in SOHO. Tom Edmonston and his wife Ronnie (who were both experienced in management) were the owners. It was a thrilling experience as Nicki and I moved in. 

Baggies opened quickly and once again the Fillmore staff helped immensely. Every group wanted to rehearse before playing the Fillmore and they sent them to Baggies. Some notable acts were Led Zeppelin, Blind Faith, Delaney and Bonnie and Friends, and Jimi for a month with The Band of Gypsies prior to his Fillmore East New Year’s shows.

Below find a chronological summary of important dates and steppingstone of an enjoyable career.

1968-69 Baggies including Woodstock contract for construction of the food concessions - 2nd studio built with wood of the Woodstock stage with the able-bodied assistance of nearly the entire staff of the Fillmore.

1969 Woodstock Festival Stage Crew, assistant stage manager, liaison to Jimi Hendrix contingent

1970 Worked with Bob See TD at the Fillmore building massive road boxes for Chip Monks Lighting (first time US Lighting toured in Europe) Client Chamber Brothers

1970-71 Built sound system for Joe Scorintino (Jersey Joe) Principal Client Ten Wheel Drive w Genya Raven

1971 -72 Weisberg Sound chief engineer worked Schaefer Music Festival 1971 & 1972. It was the best experience learning and working all genres of music. Jack Weisberg & Michael Zasuly were the principal owners.

1972 -1978 Formation of Phoenix Audio partnered with Michael Zasuly. Phoenix Audio was also house sound for Carnegie Hall, Madison Square Garden, Town Hall, & Philharmonic Hall at Lincoln Center throughout the 70s and early 80s.

1972 First company job Johnny Winter (happened to be our daughter Holli’s 2nd birthday) - worked with both Johnny & Edgar through 1976

1973 Blue Oyster Cult 1973-77

1973-1974 Newport Jazz Festival

1975 Barry White Radio City Music Hall 80 Piece All Female Orchestra white wanted to buy company after the Gig. Barney Perkins, Barry’s recording engineer was the impetus behind offer.

1975 Bob Marley east coast tour

1976-78 Belmont Summer Series Belmont Racetrack

1976 Natalie Cole US Tour

1977-88  Toured with Major Latin entertainers including  Celia Cruz,  Fania All-Stars, Tito Puente, Julio Iglesias, and Willie Colon

1980 Toured with Broadway Show "Aint't Misbehavin"