RIP Diamond Dave Whitaker

In honor & memory of Diamond Dave Whitaker, there will be a gathering at Hippie Hill in Golden Gate Park on Saturday, March 7th from 3-6pm. Bring poems and acoustic instruments for a poetry circle and jam session. As Dave would say, “Strangers becoming friends. Friends becoming family. Family becoming community. And community on the move, that’s our movement.” 

Please note: This is a semi-spontaneous community gathering in a public park for those who feel compelled to connect in the wake of Dave’s passing on “to the other side of the camp,” as he would say. There may be a more organized event by his family & friends down the road.

In honor & memory of Diamond Dave Whitaker, there will be a gathering at Hippie Hill in Golden Gate Park on Saturday, March 7th from 3-6pm. Bring poems and acoustic instruments for a poetry circle and jam session. As Dave would say, “Strangers becoming friends. Friends becoming family. Family becoming community. And community on the move, that’s our movement.” 

Please note: This is a semi-spontaneous community gathering in a public park for those who feel compelled to connect in the wake of Dave’s passing on “to the other side of the camp,” as he would say. There may be a more organized event by his family & friends down the road.

Diamond Dave Whitaker, a San Francisco icon and legend, dies at 88

He turned Bob Dylan onto pot and Woody Guthrie. He organized underground poetry and political protest. He was part of the city's radical soul, and we will miss him

ByTim Redmond

March 4, 2026

Diamond Dave Whitaker died March 2, and with him went a part of San Francisco’s soul.

Diamond D, as he called himself whenever he got me on the phone, was an icon, the kind of person who made this city a beacon for the wild, the crazy, the poets, the artists, the radicals, the beats, and the hippies. He was all of that.

He was also one of the sweetest, kindest people I have ever met.

The legends are more than legend, they are true: Diamond D was, indeed, the first person to smoke pot with Bob Dylan. He introduced Dylan to the writing of Woody Guthrie, which Dylan freely admits changed his life. Some of Dylan’s earliest songs were recorded at Diamond D’s house in Minneapolis.

Diamond D never lost faith in San Francisco’s promise. I have no idea who took this photo, but Dave was not a believer in copyright so I am not going to worry about it; contact me and I’ll give you credit.

Michael Donnelly has a great obit here.

Diamond Dave lived much of his life in San Francisco. He did pirate radio, and I was on a bunch of his shows. He organized underground poetry readings. He lived in later years in a place that was somewhere between a squat and a converted warehouse behind the Farmer’s Market on Alemany; out the window of his room was an unpermitted skateboard park. He didn’t skate, but he loved the outlaw skaters.

In fact, Diamond Dave seemed to love everyone. He had that old, wonderful, hippie vibe that hate and anger were just a waste of time and energy.

Every time he read poetry or presented or lead a demonstration, he would end by saying, “don’t panic; keep it organic.”

The guy loved learning. Every year, well into his late 70s, he would register for classes at City College. (He would also help organize demonstrations when the administration tried to make cuts).

He was, on every level a part of the community.

Once upon a time, San Francisco had plenty of room for people like Diamond D, and John Ross, and folks who cared more about peace and love and art and rebellion than about income and wealth. The city is much, much poorer without them.

Don’t panic; keep it organic. Rest in peace and power, Diamond Dave. The city you made into your home will miss you.

https://48hills.org/2026/03/diamond-dave-whitaker-a-san-francisco-icon-and-legend-dies-at-88/

I would be attending the memorial gathering on Hippie Hill, but am booked at the same time to read in an International Womens Day event at the North Beach Public Library.

After that will be the unequaled splendor of the Chinese New Year Parade.

I will salute Diamond Dave.

The show must go on.