Biggest Show of Stars 1960 Concert Poster w/Frankie Avalon, Bobby Rydell & The Isley Brothers. ...

Description

Biggest Show of Stars 1960 Concert Poster w/Frankie Avalon, Bobby Rydell & The Isley Brothers. A very colorful, original concert poster from the first Biggest Show of Stars concert tour of the Sixties, just scarcely one month into the exciting new decade. "The Biggest Show of Stars for 1960!" it proclaims in a yellow banner across the top, and then "Winter Edition." This one is from the Stambaugh Auditorium in Youngstown, Ohio, on Friday, January 29, 1960, and is dominated by the newest trend in pop music at the time - teen idols.

This BSOS poster was made by Globe Poster of Baltimore and kicks off the 1960's nicely with pink, yellow, green, white and black colors. A full dozen new stars are trumpeted, plus the orchestra and M.C. The Isley Brothers on here will raise the most rock & roll interest. "Shout!" is such a killer evergreen, such a crowd-pleaser still performed by bands everywhere to this day, and "Twist & Shout" was not far off. Terrific to see the three Isley Rock & Roll Hall of Fame members in the bright yellow box stealing the spotlight there. Measures 17" x 22 3/4" and grades to Very Good condition. COA from Heritage Auctions.

More Information: Frankie Avalon gets the big headlining position, because his "Why" ended the 1950's at the #1 spot on Billboard's singles chart. His previous single is also on the window card, the Top 10 "Just Ask Your Heart." Frankie had racked up eight Top 20 hits the previous two years, so he had earned that headliner status.

The Clovers were gigantic R&B hit-makers throughout the 1950's, so although past their prime, it's great to see a key song title by their name, "Love Potion No. 9."

Any Biggest Show of Stars concert-advertising piece is coveted by collectors, because the talent line-ups and spectacular designs draw in collectors like bees to honey. The tours started officially in 1957, continued through the mid-60's and usually consisted of two or three tours annually. One thing was consistent in all BSOS posters and handbills: outrageously cool graphics using splashy colors, copious photographs of the stars, fun song titles and catchy wording throughout. There are actually collectors out there striving to collect one piece from each of the 15+ tours over that span, be it handbill or poster.

More musical highlights: Bobby Rydell had two songs in the Top 40 at this very moment, and in fact would amass six Top 20 hits in 1960. Now that's a year to crow about. Clyde McPhatter was formerly lead singer with the Drifters, and would enjoy big success two years hence with "Lover Please." Johnny & the Hurricanes were a well-known rock instrumental group at the time.

The Crests would enjoy two Top 20 hits this year, but never reach the success of "16 Candles" again. Freddy Cannon broke into the Top 5 nationally with "Way Down Yonder in New Orleans," so it's nice to see that song on there. Sammy Turner had enjoyed equal success the previous year. Linda Laurie is an interesting inclusion because, while never charting as a singer herself, she went on to write a pair of Top 5 hits in the 1970's: "Delta Dawn" and "Leave Me Alone (Ruby Red Dress)" for Helen Reddy.

Cliff Richard is an out-of-place afterthought here, misspelled with an extra "s" to boot. The poster doesn't lie: He was indeed "England's No. 1 Singing Sensation," with five Top 10 hits in the U.K. up to this point. But he wouldn't gain any traction in America until the 1970's.

Condition details: This unrestored board has a pair of diagonal creases in the lower right corner, breaking a little color in the "A" of "Orchestra." The lower left also has a small diagonal corner crease that doesn't touch the green. There's a bit of scuffing to the yellow in the Crests' and Sammy Turner's boxes, and in the black around the Clovers' faces. The board has a little bit of grime here & there accumulated over the years, and general overall toning.


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