Chet Helms, who hitchhiked to San Francisco with Janis Joplin in the mid-1960s and started the famous Family Dog, producing shows at the Avalon Ballroom and The Fillmore in San Francisco died at 12:35 AM today from complications resulting from a stroke.

Chet was a friend — he was an incredibly sweet person, had a very cool sense of humor, and was a wonderful story-teller. I’m glad I had the chance to know him and I’m sorry to see him go. I’ll miss his friendly vibes whenever I go to parties where sixties vets and friends congregate.

Happy trails, Chet….