Holmesburg Prison - Redbone, Up Close and Personal, and Acres of Skin
African American History Celebrity Concerts, Music Festivals Controversies Crimes & Criminals (real and alleged) Famous People History Jails, Prisons Movies, Films, Cinema Native Americans Rock and Roll Rock Stars
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Holmesburg Prison - Redbone, Up Close and Personal, and Acres of Skin
In the 1970s, the Native American rock band Redbone performed a concert for the inmates of this prison. It was broadcasted several times on local public TV. It would be great to find a copy of that film or tape. 
It took place on Christmas or around Christmas, 1970. I recall, as a youngster, seeing it played on Channel 12 over and over. I contacted WHYY a few years ago, and more recently other stations that played it as that information became available on the Web (ex., listings on newspapers.com), to no avail (no one even remembers it), as well as a Redbone fan club (www.markguerrero.com/23.php discusses the concert).Philly radio pioneer Jerry Stevens conceived of and produced the show. Even in this Internet age, I can't find contact information for him. This Redbone concert was Philly's equivalent to Johnny Cash's at Folsom and San Quentin, yet there is no trace of it today. The film (tape?) is important and should be offered for viewing somewhere, somehow. But where is it? Does anyone have any idea who might have a copy of the performance?
Also, parts of the movie "Up Close and Personal" were filmed here. Other films were shot here, too; see the Wikipedia site for the prison.
Dr. Albert Kligman, a professor of dermatology at the University of Pennsylvania, led human subject research on prisoners here from the 1950s to the 1970s, most of whom were African Americans. This is detailed in Allen Hornblum's book, "Acres of Skin." See, for ex., the Philadelphia Inquirer, 1/10/21, at p. E2.
Publication date Jun 24, 2018
Property ID: 21
Updated on: May 22, 2021
In the 1970s, the Native American rock band Redbone performed a concert for the inmates of this prison. It was broadcasted several times on local public TV. It would be great to find a copy of that film or tape. 
It took place on Christmas or around Christmas, 1970. I recall, as a youngster, seeing it played on Channel 12 over and over. I contacted WHYY a few years ago, and more recently other stations that played it as that information became available on the Web (ex., listings on newspapers.com), to no avail (no one even remembers it), as well as a Redbone fan club (www.markguerrero.com/23.php discusses the concert).Philly radio pioneer Jerry Stevens conceived of and produced the show. Even in this Internet age, I can't find contact information for him. This Redbone concert was Philly's equivalent to Johnny Cash's at Folsom and San Quentin, yet there is no trace of it today. The film (tape?) is important and should be offered for viewing somewhere, somehow. But where is it? Does anyone have any idea who might have a copy of the performance?
Also, parts of the movie "Up Close and Personal" were filmed here. Other films were shot here, too; see the Wikipedia site for the prison.
Dr. Albert Kligman, a professor of dermatology at the University of Pennsylvania, led human subject research on prisoners here from the 1950s to the 1970s, most of whom were African Americans. This is detailed in Allen Hornblum's book, "Acres of Skin." See, for ex., the Philadelphia Inquirer, 1/10/21, at p. E2.

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Location:
Holmesburg Prison , 8215 Torresdale Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19136, United States
Listing Category:
African American History Celebrity Concerts, Music Festivals Controversies Crimes & Criminals (real and alleged) Famous People History Jails, Prisons Movies, Films, Cinema Native Americans Rock and Roll Rock Stars
Virtual / Real:
Virtual
Created Date:
06-24-2018
Created by
plaquemaster
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Name : Frank Chmielewski
Email : sjkc0072@aol.com
Comments : See the Forum section on this Website for an entry about seeking a copy of the Redbone at Holmesburg concert tape or film.
Date : 2019-02-05

Name : joanne mcdermott
Email : jmcdermott@cogentco.com
Comments : Hi! I am reachng out to you on behalf of the families of Peter Last Walking Bear Depoe, Tony Bellamy and Butch Rillera of the 70s hit band, Redbone, along with 1685 fans from our group Facebook Page, Friends who Like Redbone the official unofficial page. The surviving musicians are aging, some are ill...we are seeking a copy of the historic concert they did on 12291970 at Holmesburg prison. The promoter was Jerry Stevens. Can you help me? Joanne Mcdermott 6094059411 jmcdermott@cogentco.com
Date : 2019-05-20

Name : Frank Chmielewski
Email : sjkc0072@aol.com
Comments : See the Forum section on this Website for en entry about seeking a copy of the Redbone at Holmesburg concert tape or film.
Date : 2019-02-05

Name : plaquemaster
Email : sjkc0072@aol.com
Comments : There is a review of the concert by legendary Philly rock writer Jonathan Takiff at Philadelphia, Daily News, June 4, 1971, p. 77, and it can be found through www.newspapers.com.
Date : 2017-02-17

Name : plaquemaster
Email : sjkc0072@aol.com
Comments : //www.markguerrero.com/23.php.
Date : 2015-09-11

Name : Francis M. Chmielewski
Email : sjkc0072@aol.com
Comments : Today's Philadelphia Inquirer, at p. A2, has an article that mentions the atrocities at this prison, some the subject of the book Acres of Skin, Human Experiments at Holmesburg Prison, and also the Klondike bake-oven which was used to punish prisoners.
Date : 2019-07-25

Name : markerwriter
Email : sjkc0072@aol.com
Comments : The Listening Booth record stores had an ad in the 6/4/71 Philadelphia Inquirer at p. 86 that included a notice for a broadcast of the Redbone at Holmesburg concert. The same paper, on 6/8/71, at p. 22, had an article about the concert. The former says 600 inmates attended, the latter 700. The latter says the concert was produced and directed by Thomas S. Ward for broadcast on the Eastern Educational Network (now, American Public Television).
Date : 2020-01-05

Name : markerwriter
Email : sjkc0072@aol.com
Comments : There is a photo of the Redbone at Holmesburg Prison concert I had not seen before, from the Urban Archives of Temple University's Special Collections Research Center, in the Philadelphia Inquirer, 10/23/17, in an article at pp. B1, B7.
Date : 2020-07-04

Name : Frank Chmielewski
Email : sjkc0072@aol.com
Comments : Getting closer. Obtained a 10.5 minute file from the Temple University archives. It is raw, rough news footage of the concert by KYW TV3. If anyone is interested in purchasing a copy, let me know and I will forward the contact information.
Date : 2020-07-27

Name : markerwriter
Email : sjkc0072@aol.com
Comments : Legendary jazz pianist, the late Hassan Ibn Ali, was arrested for drug possession and incarcerated here. He has not gotten the recognition he deserves but that may be changing. This information is from the Philadelphia Inquirer, 5/9/21, at pp. D1, 8.
Date : 2021-05-22