BG-193 Chuck Berry 1969 Fillmore West Concert Poster Graded 9.6. ...

Description

BG-193 Chuck Berry 1969 Fillmore West Concert Poster Graded 9.6. First-printing San Francisco concert poster for Chuck Berry, Aum and the Loading Zone playing at the Fillmore West on Thursday through Sunday nights, September 25-28, 1969. Designed by Greg Irons and known as BG-193 in the Bill Graham numbered series, this poster was graded an impressively strong 9.6 Near Mint Plus by CGC (the Certified Guaranty Company).

Along with Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry was a rock 'n' roll founding father who was a frequent presence on the S.F. psychedelic music scene of the late 60's. His current album was even called From St. Louie to Frisco, referring to his hometown of St. Louis. And Irons' cartoon depiction of him is classic... the guitar acrobat flying through the air over very S.F.-like buildings.

Meticulous BG collectors will note that this is the OP-1 version of the poster with the ticket info down below printed in red ink. A smaller number of them were printed in brown.

Opening act Aum was a short-lived San Francisco-based blues-rock trio, led by singer/songwriter Wayne "The Harp" Ceballos. In 1969 they released an album on Sire/London, Bluesvibes, followed by another on Bill Graham's Fillmore Records label, Resurrection, but neither gained traction and the band split up.

The Loading Zone were a five-member Berkeley rock band together from 1966-1971. Guitarists Peter Shapiro and Steve Dowler had been a member of The Marbles, also from the East Bay, whose name had appeared on the very first psychedelic concert poster in S.F. history... the Family Dog's Tribute to Dr. Strange dance-concert at Longshoreman's Hall in October 1965. The first major Loading Zone gig had been at the Trips Festival in January 1966, also at Longshoreman's Hall. They then became a fixture on S.F. concert posters by opening shows for the Grateful Dead, Big Brother & the Holding Company, Cream, Howlin' Wolf, the Byrds and even The Who. They had started off as an R&B outfit before leaning into psychedelia, so they were also happy to open for Sam & Dave on one occasion. The group released one self-titled album on RCA Records in 1968, featuring covers like the Miracles' "Shop Around" and Billie Holiday's "God Bless the Child," plus four originals. But the album failed to find any success.

Measures 12 7/8" x 21 1/8" and grades to 9.6. From the David Swartz Concert Poster Collection. COA from Heritage Auctions.

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