Fillmore Leaves Philly

Live Nation has re-branded several buildings across the country as the Fillmore – but one is returning to its original moniker.

The Fillmore at the TLA in Philadelphia is once again the Theatre of the Living Arts. A Live Nation spokesman was not available at press time and it was not clear why the change was made or if it is isolated to Philly.

Other than the original building in San Francisco and the Fillmore in Denver, there are the Fillmore at Irving Plaza in New York City, The Fillmore Miami Beach at Jackie Gleason Theatre and Fillmore Detroit (formerly the State Theatre).

Also, a brand-new Fillmore is under consideration in Silver Spring, Md.

Live Nation did more than just change signage on the buildings, converting the interiors to match the atmosphere of Bill Graham’s original venue in the City by the Bay. The question remains if the change has made a positive difference with the buying public.

As far as the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Dan DeLuca is concerned, the name change at the TLA was "lame" and "misguided."

"It’s one small victory for local tradition," DeLuca wrote, noting that the TLA, much like the Fillmore, has its own counterculture history. The TLA was originally an experimental theatrical troupe founded by Andre Gregory, the centerpiece of the movie "My Dinner With Andre."