We're extremely proud and excited to announce the recent acquisition of a massive collection of over 1,000 vintage rock and pop concert posters and handbills, obtained by Rockaway co-owner Wayne Johnson from one private collector.
It's A Psychedelic Explosion!
Spanning 1966 to 1972, this stunning collection must be seen to be believed. Fortunately, it can be viewed in person at our Los Angeles retail location or via our website and our eBay store, as well as through multiple forthcoming social media posts. The reveal of these impressive rock and pop culture artifacts is just beginning its considerable roll out. Due to its width and breadth, the processing of the collection is a work in progress.
Although the vast majority of the posters and handbills represent concerts and shows in Northern and Southern California (aka NorCal and SoCal, respectively), approximately 100 of them actually concern events that occurred at non-California locations like Detroit (Crisler Arena, Jenison Fieldhouse, Grande Ballroom), Portland (Masonic Temple), and Denver (Family Dog), for example.
Alongside posters and handbills announcing events at well-known venues that are traditionally well-represented in the poster and handbill world, there are also many originating from performance spaces that aren't seen on the open market as often. For example, from NorCal there's The Straight Theater, The Golden Sheaf Bakery, The Western Front, The Matrix, The Sound Factory, California Hall, The Ark, The Whisky A-Go-Go (San Francisco), Mt. Tamalpais Outdoor Theater, The Eurphoria Ballroom, and The Cow Palace. From SoCal there's The Rose Palace (Pasadena), The Bank (Torrance), The Shrine (LA), The Cheetah (LA) and Balboa Stadium (San Diego).
"The scope of this poster and handbill collection is truly awe-inspiring," Wayne enthuses. "This is the largest and most spectacular undertaking of its kind for us. We're still going through everything! The depth of rock and pop music history represented here is nothing less than stunning."
Stunning, indeed. Represented in all their psychedelic glory, iconic artists include The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, The Doors, Big Brother and The Holding Company with Janis Joplin, The Grateful Dead, The Jefferson Airplane, Alice Cooper, The Band, The Allman Brothers, Jeff Beck, Buffalo Springfield, The Byrds, Canned Heat, The MC5, The Stooges, Sun Ra and Frank Zappa… among many, many others.
Also significant is that this trove consists of approximately 95% First Printings, something that in-the-know poster enthusiasts take immediate notice of - and often insist upon - when seeking striking additions to their collections. And striking additions abound, as the vast majority of the posters are in beautiful collector-worthy condition.
To own a piece of music history from this archive is surprisingly affordable. The prices for obtaining these and creating your own 'Wonder Wall' range from $25-$1,500. You could redecorate the rec room on a budget or frame the finest museum-worthy piece for your designated wall of honor.
Here are just a few examples to help whet your appetite. Click the titles or images to see full descriptions and full images. Click here to view the entire collection.
PINK FLOYD, THE FILLMORE WEST, 1970 POSTER
First and ONLY printing for this unique and historically important poster! This was during the band's third American tour, and they had taped a performance for public television's KQED that same afternoon.
JIMI HENDRIX, DEVONSHIRE DOWNS, 1969 HANDBILL
Throw in CCR, Marvin Gaye, Joe Cocker, Booker T & The MG's and a generous offering of other musical legends and behold three days of pure festival magic. "The Weekend The Giants Get It Together" - pretty much says it all, but if you were actually there we'd probably never hear the end of it, thankfully..
THE GRATEFUL DEAD, THE BANK, 1968 POSTER
Prehistoric vibe: when rock legends actually roamed the earth: Grateful Dead and Big Mama Thornton on the same weekend (Cleveland Wrecking Crew opening each night) - 1968 at The Bank, Friday and Saturday shows in Torrance, CA...who's in?!!
THE ROLLING STONES, OAKLAND COLISEUM, 1969 POSTER
November 9, 1969 (long before their later, larger shows at Day On The Green). The band's setlist was derived mostly from 'Beggars Banquet' and 'Let It Bleed,' the former being their forthcoming album to be released the following month, December 5. Dave Marsh wrote that this tour was "part of rock and roll legend" and also called it "one of the "benchmarks of an era." ...So who's driving...?
JEFFERSON AIRPLANE, BALBOA STADIUM, 1969 POSTER
Jefferson Airplane Time Capsule, San Diego's Balboa Stadium: this gorgeous poster promises a July 27, 1969 summer afternoon of "Fancy, Food and Frolic"...specifically via "A Splendiferous Trade Faire" featuring "Succulent Edibles"...! Radio station KPRI was co-presenter and a longtime supporter of album rock and local music.
BIG BROTHER & THE HOLDING COMPANY, SHRINE AUDITORIUM, 1967 POSTER
What a year for Big Brother and Janis Joplin! June 17 & 18 were the dates for the group's historic 1967 performances at Monterey Pop - they signed their recording contract with Columbia Records that November and the show promoted on this poster was only a month afterwards on December 18, 1967. Quicksilver Messenger Service had begun recording their debut album (released in 1968) the very same month as this show, so electricity and excitement for both artists was definitely at a peak. The Christmas theme on this unique piece is most apparent, the overall vibe is 'Direct From San Francisco'.
BUFFALO SPRINGFIELD, ROCK GARDEN, 1967 HANDBILL
First Printing! Unusual yet beguiling presentation in diamond pattern invites closer examination and Rock Garden notices were reportedly only created for three shows, this one designed by artist Michael Wood for Pyxis Studios. The text reads "a new concept in night clubs" and "light environment by Scott Bartlett and Paul Hawkin." Own a piece of rock history? Yes, please.
13th FLOOR ELEVATORS, AVALON BALLROOM, 1966 POSTER
Another First Printing Gem. Stanley Mouse and Alton Kelley were the artists that created this inspired work, check out the creepy claw that supports a rustic homestead on this Family Dog classic. Both bands hailed from Texas, imagine the garage/psyche sounds of the Elevators supported by the powerhouse stylings of SDQ, this had to be one special evening. One could purchase tickets at City Lights Books and other locales! The Elevators had a peak single charting (#55 Billboard) for "You're Gonna Miss Me" in the month following this show date and the release of their album 'The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators' happened in November...all these momentous happenings (including this gig) occurring in the span of a short few months!
THE DOORS, BIG BROTHER and JEFFERSON AIRPLANE, SANTA CLARA COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS, 1968 POSTER
1968 Northern California Folk Festival and Mind-Blowing Line-Up!! The Doors, Big Brother and Jefferson Airplane only begin to tell the story and it actually gets deeper. This event was held at Family Park in San Jose, promoter was Bob Blodgett. KYA 1260 was the presenting radio station (an AM station during the dawn of FM Rock!). Carson-Morris Studios created this iconic piece featuring Jim Morrison (at his savage animal best) framed by two appreciative admirers. If that wasn't enough, The Grateful Dead also performed at this show although they weren't listed on the posters or handbills! This is the thick-stock poster and the real deal.
CAPTAIN BEEFHEART, CRAWFORD HALL, 1968 POSTER
Captain Beefheart gets cosmic! Rick Griffin commemorative poster (created in 1972) celebrates an October 1968 concert date featuring opener Portable People. A flying eyeball with bat wings? Absolutely, such would be classic Griffin! Only 5 months after this performance, Beefheart began recording his groundbreaking (and widely regarded masterwork) 'Trout Mask Replica' album, produced by his friend and former classmate Frank Zappa. Honor the beef here, and trust the art and the artist in one fell swoop.
THE WHO, FILLMORE WEST, 1967 POSTER
"From England..." the extremely groovy font proclaims. You don't say! The Who booked two nights at The Fillmore June 16 & 17 in 1967 and this gorgeous (First and ONLY Printing) poster transports you there in spirit. Seriously cool to note that the following date (June 18) was the debut of The Who sonically and visually exploding at Monterey Pop -- so following The Fillmore shows, the band and crew rolled down the coast from S.F. to provide their firepower for the festival. Have a look at the tiny print in the lower right-hand corner touting the following week's artist performances: Jefferson Airplane, Gabor Szabo and Jimi Hendrix...right place, right era.
