Splatt Gallery
Double click here to add text.
Splatt Gallery's History of Michigan Concert Posters
Volume Six - 1970 - Page Three
The cooperative agreement between Russ Gibb and Bob Bagaris and Aaron Russo of the Eastown Theater in October, 1969 when Gibb opened the Grande Riviera had led to much confusion, as we’ve seen, among promoters, the bands and the fans. For some reason, when Gibb closed down the Riviera and re-opened the Grande Ballroom, Bagaris felt that the agreement had been broken.
Gibb had gotten the Grande back onto a regular weekly schedule throughout January, 1970, and there seemed to still be a degree of co-operation. For example, when a fire at the Eastown Theatre cut the MC5’s set short on January 9, the band moved over to the Grande for the next night’s show while the Eastown underwent repairs. Nevertheless, at the end of January, Gibb agreed to fully divest himself from the Grande Ballroom and turned the operation over to a group called The Grande Family. Aaron Russo returned to Chicago.
The Grande Family managed to keep the Ballroom running through February, 1970 until it was closed down for the rest of the year. The Grande Family also revived the practice of making posters for the shows (handbills, actually, as they had been for years), with “The Grande Family Presents” in place of the old, familiar “Uncle Russ”. All of the posters were made by Darlene Pond, this is the first of them, for February 6-7, 1970.
SRC headlined two nights, with support by the Bhang with Frijid Pink, and All The Lonely People with the Tribal Simphonia and the Toby Wesselfox Band.
**********************************************************
Poster by Tribune Press for a Northwestern Michigan College weekend Ski Festival, in Traverse City, Michigan, February 6-8, 1970, with casual mention of SRC, plus two bands, performing at the Saturday night dance. SRC may have made it to the gig, squeezed in between the Grande Ballroom in Detroit the night before, and the Sherwood Forest in Davison, Michigan the following night.
A really nice poster by an artist named Steve Cole for Tim Buckley at Hill Auditorium in Ann Arbor, Michigan on February 7, 1970.
Tim Buckley at Hill Auditorium, February 7, 1970 with poster by an unknown artist. The reviewer in The Michigan Daily wrote that the opening act, “an hour-long performance by a Detroit rock band”, was “unquestionably one of the worst groups that’s ever played”. Anybody want to fess up?
Newsprint version of the poster for Tim Buckley at Hill Auditorium in Ann Arbor on February 7, 1970 with actually better depth and resolution than the poster.
Two in a series of ads by a very creative ads staff at the Michigan Daily newspaper in Ann Arbor leading up to the concert by Tim Buckley at Hill Auditorium on February 7, 1970, the one on the right was published on the day of the show.
Another ad for Tim Buckley at Hill Auditorium in Ann Arbor, Michigan on February 7, 1970, with a tie-in to a sale on his album “Blue Afternoon” at Discount Records.
A few more nice ads for Tim Buckley at Hill Auditorium in Ann Arbor, Michigan on February 7, 1970.
Poster by an unknown artist for the Palladium in Birmingham, Michigan, February 6-7, 1970. Bands were Savage Grace, Everlon Nevermore, and Brownsville Station on the 6th, and Pacific Gas & Electric with UP on the 7th.
Handbill by an unknown artist for Brownsville Station with Richmond at the Wizzard’s Eardrum in Saline, Michigan, February 7, 1970.
Newspaper ad with Grand Funk Railroad in Chicago, Illinois on February 7, 1970, with Smokey Robinson & the Miracles appearing in April.
Ad for the MC5 at the Warehouse in Providence, Rhode Island, February 7-8, 1970, with Frost following them on the 13th through the 15th. Don't know what "Tea Party" style means. Also, a poster/flyer that describes the MC5 as "Good Clean Fun" for at least the second time on an East Coast poster.
An intriguing ad by an unknown artist for an appearance by Mr. Louis Falco & Featured Dancers at Hill Auditorium in Ann Arbor, Michigan on February 8, 1970. Falco was one of the first choreographers to experiment with rock bands and other innovations on stage, and he was noted for his choreography of the 1980 motion picture “Fame” and music videos for a number of MTV artists.
A very cool ad published in the Chicago Seed newspaper, by Chicago artist Lester Dore for Yippie Nite at Second City in Chicago, February 9, 1970, featuring “Ann Arbor’s Stomp Down Guerilla Rock Band”, the UP. It also featured “Righteous” Bob Rudnick, still in Chicago at WGLD radio.
Poster version of the ad in the Chicago Seed newspaper by Chicago artist Lester Dore for “Yippie Nite” at Second City in Chicago, February 9, 1970, featuring “Ann Arbor’s Stomp Down Guerilla Rock Band”, UP. It also featured “Righteous” Bob Rudnick, still in Chicago at WGLD radio.
The Up released their first single in February, 1970 on their own label with artwork by Gary Grimshaw in exile.
The Up – Just Like an Aborigine (1970)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qNXPqCns9Y
Also in February, 1970, the Bob Seger System released the single “Lucifer”. Releases outside the US more often had the bonus of a picture sleeve, this one is from the French release.
Bob Seger System – Lucifer (1970)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMQmSvKQpUs
The release of Jerry Rubin’s book “Do It!” was featured extensively throughout the underground newspapers around the country. Al Shamie (Bad Dog) made this illustration for the cover of the February 9, 1970 issue of The Ann Arbor Argus.
The book was ground-breaking in the layout of the publication by graphic illustrator Quentin Fiore, foreshadowing what Gary Grimshaw will later do with John Sinclair's "Guitar Army" book.
Ad by Terry Sharbach for a Mardi Gras Party & Fashion Show at Grandmother’s in East Lansing, February 11, 1970.
An ad for John Lee Hooker at Washington Hall in Seattle, Washington on February 12, 1970.
Multiple ads with Commander Cody at Mandrakes in Berkeley, California, February 13-14, 1970, followed by John Lee Hooker, February 17-21.
Nice psychedelic lettering above the ad by cartoonist Phil Frank for The Paramounts at Akers Hall at Michigan State University in East Lansing, February 13, 1970.
The Paramounts is a pretty generic band name, probably one in every state, but this one might have been the suburban-Detroit band from which two members later joined the band Mariner, who released an album and an EP on the Tidal Wave label in the early 1980’s.
Mariner – Make Me Baby (1983)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=692IKOFG-40
Beautiful handbill by an unknown artist for Mitch Ryder and the Woolies at Schoolcraft College in Livonia, Michigan, February 13, 1970, organized by Mike Quatro.
When The MC5 returned to Detroit, after a two-week East Coast tour, they went back to the Grande Ballroom, February 13-14, 1970. The second in the series of poster/handbills by Darlene Pond. MC5 headlined two shows with the Flamin’ Groovies, with Shakey Jake (a band with vocalist Dave Gilbert, not the Ann Arbor “Man of the World”), and with Virgin Dawn.
Darlene Pond was on a creative roll, in addition to her posters for the Grande Family shows at the Grande Ballroom, she continued to make posters for the Palladium in Birmingham, Michigan, this one for February 13-14, 1970, with Savoy Brown, Virgin Dawn, SRC and the Rationals.
Eric Clapton returned to Detroit for his second time post-Cream, at Ford Auditorium, February 13, 1970. Blind Faith broke up upon returning to England following their US tour and Clapton signed on with Delany & Bonnie, whom he had become friendly with when they toured with Blind Faith as the opening act. The Rationals and Sunday Funnies opened this show.
Delany & Bonnie – Only You Know and I Know (1969)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLFtlM2yNe0
An ad for Delaney & Bonnie with Eric Clapton at Ford Auditorium in Detroit, Michigan on February 13, 1970.
The ad to the right is for the third album by the English band the Deviants, founded by singer/writer Mick Farren, later to become a great friend of Wayne Kramer, and also crucial to the history of rock posters.
Really nice flyer by an unknown artist, for Delaney & Bonnie at Ford Auditorium in Detroit, Michigan, February 13, 1970, highlighting that one of the Friends was Eric Clapton, and teasing the rumor that another one of the Friends might be Beatle George Harrison. Harrison had attempted to sign Delaney & Bonnie to Apple Records, and it was on his suggestion that Clapton took the group as the opening act for his Blind Faith tour.
Although Harrison was not part of the US touring Friends, the other members of the band were Jim Gordon, Carl Radle, Bobby Whitlock, and Dave Mason, all within Harrison’s circle of friends whom contributed to Harrison’s solo album. Harrison did tour with Delaney & Bonnie in England and Scandinavia, although none of the tracks from those shows ended up on the Delaney & Bonnie album “On Tour with Eric Clapton”. They were subsequently released on later deluxe editions, where Harrison is credited as “L’Angelo Misterioso”.
Opening for Delaney & Bonnie in Detroit, were local heroes the Rationals and Sunday Funnies, for two shows, early and late. A Robin Seymour production.
Poster/handbill by Auntie Gravity for the Stooges at the Woodrose Ballroom in Springfield, Massachusetts, February 13, 1970, with Chubby Checker and Lobotomy. Apparently, this show was cancelled.
Back side of the poster by Auntie Gravity for the Stooges at the Woodrose Ballroom in Springfield, Massachusetts, February 13, 1970. The cherub figures are the same that Carl Lundgren used on both the front and back of some of his Grande Ballroom cards.
A nice ad for John Lee Hooker at the Medicine Show Tavern in Seattle, Washington, February 13-14, 1970.
A pair of ads for Smokey Robinson & the Miracles in St. Louis, Missouri on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1970.
Handbill by an unknown artist for Blue Max with UP at the Wizzard’s Eardrum in Saline, Michigan, February 14, 1970.
Fairly simple poster, not in the greatest of shape, for the Bob Seger System and the Wilson Mower Pursuit at the Silverbell in Auburn Hills, Michigan, February 14, 1970. But what we’d really like to have a better look at is the poster underneath which was for the October 25, 1969 show with the Amboy Dukes and Third Power. That one and the one underneath that look very interesting, artist unknown.
An ad, enhanced and original, for Funkadelic debut album and two shows at Ungano’s in New York City, February 14-15, 1970, but the dates may have changed to February 15-17.
An ad and a poster for a Valentine Soul Spectacular in Baltimore, Maryland, on February 15, 1970, headlined by Stevie Wonder.
Also on the bill were The Unifics, a group from Washington DC who were called “the act that no one wanted to follow”, with their trademark stage presentation of white gloves, black lights and strobe lights. The nifty little drum bit that opens their song “Court of Love” was provided by future P-Funk drummer Jerome Brailey.
The Unifics – Court of Love (1968)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dm9FqHW-_a4
Poster by Juryj (“George”) Ostroushko for the Labor Temple in Minneapolis, Minnesota, for The Byrds, with openers Teegarden & Van Winkle at the Labor Temple on February 15, 1970.
We hadn’t seen George Clinton since the run of shows at the 20 Grand Club in Detroit in August, 1969. On February 15-17, 1970, Funkadelic appeared at Ungano’s in New York City, promoting their first album on the Westbound Records label, devised by Arman Boladian as he was driving westbound one day on 8 Mile Road. The album also found Bryan Dombrowski over at Terra Shirma, after folding the Wheels 4 label from his Dearborn home and joining forces with Russ Terrana in the role of engineer.
The opening track on the album asks the immortal question; Mommy, what’s a Funkadelic? The album also included the single “I’ll Bet You” that had been released at the end of 1969.
Funkadelic – Mommy, What’s a Funkadelic? (1970)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-53pFRA9IQ
Funkadelic – I’ll Bet You (1969)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m794e9Z-4aw
Newspaper ad for Ungano’s in New York City with Funkadelic opening for Creedmore State, later known as Plum Nelly, February 15-17, 1970.
Another wonderful Globe Poster for three Motown acts, the Temptations, the Originals, and Blinky at the Charlotte Coliseum in Charlotte, Texas, February 16, 1970.
The Originals – Moment of Truth (1969)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6w52gSfUO_s
A full-page Motown Records ad for the single “Up the Ladder to the Roof”, the first single with new lead singer Jean Terrell in place of Diana Ross, released on February 16, 1970. It reached #10 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart and #6 on the UK chart. Here is their performance of the song on The Ed Sullivan Show on February 15, 1970.
The Supremes – Up the Ladder to the Roof (Ed Sullivan TV Show) (2/15/70)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBu8pUJNRpg
With two Michigan-related bands on this poster by Mark Behrens for the Matrix in San Francisco, California, we have the excuse to include it in our little project, but just look at the high quality variety of this line-up.
Prior to Commander Cody’s appearance on February 17-19, 1970, we have Boz Scaggs with the opening group Steel Mill that included guitarist and singer Bruce Springsteen and three future members of the E Street Band - Vini Lopez, Danny Federici and Steve Van Zandt.
Following after Cody, we have jazz pianist Vince Guaraldi, the musical genius of the “Peanuts” TV specials, then the highly influential and criminally under-rated string instrumentalist Sandy Bull, followed by Charlie Musselwhite and concluding with our own John Lee Hooker.
Al Shamie (Bad Dog Graphics) on the cover of the February 19, 1970 issue of The Fifth Estate newspaper in Detroit, Michigan.
Al Shamie (Bad Dog) illustration in the February 19, 1970 issue of The Fifth Estate newspaper that accompanied a story on the Supreme Court nomination of Judge G. Harold Carswell, nominated by President Richard Nixon to replace Justice Abe Fortas. The Senate had already rejected Nixon’s first choice, the first time that the Senate had rejected a nominee since 1930.
The FE article fretted over the choice of Carswell, noting his outright support of white supremacy and his hostility to blacks and women, and they believed his confirmation was “a fait accompli”. But the Senate ended up rejecting Carswell as well, on a 45-51 vote, and on Nixon’s third try, they confirmed Judge Harry Blackmun who later authored the opinion on Roe v. Wade in 1973.
For her first concert of the new year, Carolyn Heines brought her friend Dave Brubeck back to the Fountain Street Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, February 19, 1970, his third time performing at the church, and apparently the only time that Brubeck, Paul Desmond and Gerry Mulligan ever appeared together on stage.
Invitation to the release party for SRC’s third album “Traveler’s Tale” at the Depot House in Ann Arbor on February 19, 1970.
A very fine quality color image of the cover artwork for SRC’s third album “Traveler’s Tale” released in February 1970.
Poster for Alice Cooper at the Palladium in Birmingham, Michigan, February 20-21, 1970. The band was settled into their new home, although they still traveled from California to Pennsylvania, this was their sixth show of the year in the Detroit area.
Although we can’t confirm the signature on the outside of the circle, we believe this may be by the artist named Carol Ann.
Poster and handbill by Darlene Pond, her sixth poster of the year, for a show at Alma College, an hour north of Lansing, Michigan on February 20, 1970, featuring SRC, All The Lonely People, Virgin Dawn, Plain Brown Wrapper, and Ormandy.
Darlene Pond’s third and final postcard/handbill in the Grande Family series for the Grande Ballroom, these shows, February 20-21, 1970, would be the final shows to be held at the ballroom for the next eight months. Frost headlined two shows with support by Blackwood Drake both nights, Little Train, Little Sunny, Blackstone Row, and Ohio Power.
Volume Six - 1970 - continues - HERE
Billboard magazine ads for Bob Seger’s “Lucifer” single in March 1970. The video linked below is captioned:
“A barefoot Bob Seger performs live on local DC progressive rock show in 1970. No lip sync, no studio audience, just pure energy.”
Bob Seger System - Lucifer (Barry Richards Show) (1970)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emzSw_CRG14
A collection of art by Carl Lundgren in the Berkeley Tribe newspaper in Berkeley, California up through February 13, 1970.
A large two-page illustration by Dave Baker in the February 6, 1970 issue of the Berkeley Tribe newspaper in Berkeley, California.
