The Who 1968 CNE Coliseum, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Concert Poster Graded 9.8. ...

Description

The Who 1968 CNE Coliseum, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Concert Poster Graded 9.8. First-and-only-vintage-printing concert poster for England's The Who appearing at the CNE Coliseum in Toronto on Sunday evening, April 7, 1968. Designed by Detroit legend Gary Grimshaw, this specimen has been graded 9.8 Near Mint/Mint by CGC (the Certified Guaranty Company), a wonderful investment-quality grade on a key piece by one of England's greatest bands ever, still touring and packing houses 55 years later.

The Who were touring off their magical album The Who Sell Out, featuring the hit "I Can See for Miles." According to the book The Who Concert File (McMichael & Lyons, Omnibus Press), "This date concluded the first North American tour of 1968, and they flew back to England the following day. By now the group had solidified their reputation in America as the most exciting live group on the circuit."

A presentation of Detroit promoter Russ Gibb, this poster measures 12 7/8" x 22" and grades to 9.8 Near Mint/Mint. COA from Heritage Auctions.

Literature: King, Eric, The Collector's Guide to Psychedelic Rock Concert Posters, Postcards and Handbills 1965-1973, Vol. 12, Berkeley, CA, 2022, p.707 (illus.).

More Information: This poster is known as G/G-680407-OP-1 in the Eric King poster guide mentioned above.

The night before the band had played the Fillmore East, and the track list for that show, which we can assume was identical to this show, was "I Can't Explain," "Summertime Blues," "Fortune Teller," "Tattoo," "Little Billy" (written by Pete Townshend for the American Cancer Society), "Happy Jack," "I'm a Boy," "Relax," "A Quick One While He's Away," "My Way" (Eddie Cochran 1963 single), "Shakin' All Over," "Boris the Spider" and an extended version of "My Generation."

The show's opening acts were the Troggs, MC5 and Raja. The show is advertised as running from 7:00 PM-11:00 PM, and admission was $3.50 for all seats.

Notice the slight grammatical typo at the poster's top... "Russ Gibb Present in Toronto." When Gary Grimshaw reprinted this poster in 1992, that was corrected to "Presents."


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