BG-29 Jefferson Airplane 1966 "The Sound" S.F. Concert Poster Signed by Wes Wilson, Graded 9.4. ...

Description

BG-29 Jefferson Airplane 1966 "The Sound" S.F. Concert Poster Signed by Wes Wilson, Graded 9.4. First-printing San Francisco concert poster, the B&W OP-1 version, for the Jefferson Airplane, Butterfield Blues Band and Muddy Waters playing at both the Fillmore Auditorium and Winterland ballroom on consecutive weekends in early fall 1966.

Designed by Wes Wilson and known as BG-29 in the Bill Graham numbered series, this poster was signed by Wes in the lower right margin. Nicknamed "The Sound," it's one of the more popular of the early BG concert posters, both for its sublime artwork and the triple-threat talent lineup. Measuring 13 5/8" x 24 1/2", this was graded an impressive 9.4 Near Mint by CGC (the Certified Guaranty Company). From the Tim Backstrom Grateful Dead Collection. COA from Heritage Auctions.

More Information: Eric King fairly raves about BG-29 in his highly used and well-regarded poster guidebook. "This poster is revolutionary in its depiction of Woman. Throughout the 1940's and 1950's, artists drew women as small, thin, weak, powerless and restrained. Here Wes [Wilson] has given us a woman who is muscular, powerful and dancing in wild abandon. She is fully nude and unashamed."

An OP-2 color version was also made of this poster, with neither one considered scarcer than the other.

The Airplane, still with Signe Anderson at this point, must have been positively giddy about playing alongside two blues powerhouses. And the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, in turn, were surely going bananas over sharing the bill with blues super-legend Muddy Waters.

On vinyl, the Airplane's debut RCA waxing, Takes Off, had been in stores for only a month. Grace Slick would replace Signe in just a couple of weeks' time after these shows. Meanwhile this was the month (September) RCA tried with a third single on the group, "Bringing Me Down" b/w "Let Me In," but still no breakthrough to Billboard's singles chart.

The Butterfield Blues Band had just released their second album, the classic East-West, on Elektra Records in August. Speaking of Muddy, the LP had been recorded in July at the famed Chess Studios on So. Michigan Ave. in Chicago. It remains very highly regarded to this day.

And what can you say about the master himself. Muddy Waters had benefited greatly from, and in fact contributed substantially to, the blues resurgence of the mid-60's, especially in England. Chess Records had released the highly popular The Real Folk Blues album in January and were coming with a second volume at the end of the year. In between, Chess released the album Muddy, Brass & the Blues, with Muddy joined, of course, by Otis Spann on piano and James Cotton on harmonica.


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.