KISS, Rush 1975 Rockford, Illinois Concert Poster....

Description

KISS, Rush 1975 Rockford, Illinois Concert Poster. An original cardboard window card advertising two mainstays of 1970's FM rock radio, KISS and Rush, playing at the Rockford Armory on Saturday evening, November 15, 1975. (Rockford, of course, is the north Illinois town that gave the world Cheap Trick.) The poster's catchy graphics show both a photograph of the band and an artist rendering of Ace Frehley wailing on his guitar on stage, complete with platform shoes.

This is a very rare KISS poster and one-off design used for this show only, always a special treat for collectors - and a huge burden to try to find. Not only the first time Heritage has ever offered, but the only specimen that we, and several key collectors, have ever seen. KISS posters have been soaring in value recently, with HA realizing between 5 and 10 thousand dollars for three of them in the last 2-3 years, and this Rockford poster could be the best one yet.

KISS was on the road promoting their first live album, Alive!, which became their first Top 10 LP in Billboard. Stunningly, Alive! stayed on the Billboard chart for over two years, which was eight months longer than its runner-up for KISS in that department, Destroyer. It was the era of live albums breaking bands, and KISS was a significantly more exciting act onstage than in the studio. Alive! (despite its obvious studio overdubs and tweaking) brought their live show to the home speakers of kids all over the country. And with that, more people came out in droves to see these goofy guys in kabuki-inspired costumes.

Meanwhile, Canadian power-rock trio Rush were promoting their third album, Caress of Steel. KISS and Rush often toured together during these days, as they slowly broke through in small and medium-sized U.S. markets. Caress of Steel was much more removed from the Blue Cheer/Led Zeppelin inspiration of the trio's earlier output, owing much more to the progressive rock of Yes and Genesis. This was an era the members of Rush considered their "Going Down the Tubes" period, but in reality it was right before their commercial breakthrough, 2112, in 1976.

Measures 14" x 22" and grades to Very Good condition. COA from Heritage Auctions.

More Information: The board has a dinged and lightly crumpled upper right corner, resulting in many diagonal surface creases which only break the brown color near the very upper-right tip. The two strongest creases are 1 ¾" and ½". The lower right corner has similar but lighter stress creases, with no color broken, but also brown liquid staining from something like coffee. The upper left and lower left corner areas have dinging and light staining to a much lesser degree. There are very light pinpricks from staples in all four corners as well. There's a very light amount of surface scuffing over "KISS" and the top of their photo, visible only when tilted at an angle to the light. Likewise with a light surface crease in the last "S" in "KISS." General light toning throughout.


Heritage Auctions provides as much information as possible but strongly encourages in-person inspection. Condition statements are offered as general guidance only, not as complete representations of fact, and do not constitute a warranty or assumption of liability by Heritage. Some condition issues may not be noted but may be visible in the photos, which are considered part of the condition report. Lots estimated at $1,000 or less are not de-framed for inspection, and we may be unable to provide additional details for lots valued under $500. Heritage does not guarantee the condition of frames and is not liable for damage to frames, glass/acrylic coverings, original boxes, display accessories, or artwork that has shifted in the frame. All lots are sold "AS IS" under our Terms & Conditions of Auction.