News-Antique.com - Nov 30,-0001 - This enormous masterpiece is without a doubt one of the most unbelievable concert posters ever offered for sale. The August 1968 series of shows at the Singer Bowl in Flushing Meadows, Queens was highlighted by three major concert events: “The New York Rock Festival” featured the most in-demand stars of ’68, starting on August 2nd with a double bill of the Who and the Doors, followed on the 23rd by the Jimi Hendrix Experience with the Chambers Brothers, the Soft Machine and “Also- Extra Feature Attraction”...(more on that in a moment!). The final show of the season starred local faves the Vagrants (Leslie West pre-Mountain) and the Rascals, with special guests Central Park on the 30th.
Local promoters Shelly Finkel and Gary Kurfirst (who later became the manager of the Talking Heads) hired local designer Dominic Sicila to create this awesome advertising poster that has since become a topic of legend and intrigue among collectors.
According to Marc Zakarin, president of Itsonlyrocknroll.com "many had heard about it, very few had seen it and some even doubted it’s existence. Well, it’s time to put that theory to rest, because here we have the original 25 x 38.5” Murray Poster Company concert poster in all of it’s breathtaking glory."
Impossible to find in any condition, this one has been professionally and meticulously restored along the top edge (water stains removed) and a tear was repaired on the bottom left corner, it looks absolutely magnificent in person.
Marc adds "A near riot at the Doors/Who show prompted Pete Townshend to write the song “Sally Simpson”, which appeared on “Tommy” the following year... and the “extra feature attraction” at the Hendrix show turned out to be Janis Joplin with Big Brother & the Holding Company, in their last performance together before an NYC audience."
These shows were the first large outdoor events held in Queens since the Beatles played at Shea two summers previous, and the only time the Singer Bowl (now known as Louis Armstrong Stadium and used only for tennis matches) was ever used for a live music venue.
On December 16, 2005, ItsOnlyRockNRoll.com will close it's online catalog auction featuring several astounding collections of rare Music, Movie and Pop Culture Memorabilia including The David Gest Poster Collection, a Jimi Hendrix Concert Poster Collection, the Ray Overton Estate Collection of 1930s-1960s Black Music Concert Posters and The Andre Van Pier High Fashion Collection, among 1000 extraordinary lots.
Here are details on some of the featured collections:
The auction will feature 1300 lots, all photographed and expertly described featuring an incredible collection of Beatles memorabilia including the “Magical” sign from the “Magical Mystery Tour” bus used in the film of the same name, the original Abbey Road LP mock-up & cover art, the original sign from outside John Lennon’s home at Tittenhurst Park, an engraved Apple sign from the Apple Records offices, spectacular promotional posters and displays, records, autographs, tickets, concert posters, and toys.
The rare Beatles autograph section, curated by noted expert
