Grateful Dead, Cream 1968 Sacramento, CA Concert Poster (AOR-3.10). ...

Description

A POWERFUL NIGHT OF GUT-BUSTING PSYCHEDELIC BLUES

Grateful Dead, Cream 1968 Sacramento, CA Concert Poster (AOR-3.10). An original first-and-only-printing concert poster from California's state capitol for two monsters of rock, the Grateful Dead and Cream (with Eric Clapton), appearing together at the Memorial Auditorium on Monday night, March 11, 1968. This was the only time that the two powerhouses shared a concert stage together. It was really a matter of 'local' act the Dead lucking into opening up for the world-famous British trio, big stars by this point. Both acts were into heavily psychedelicized blues. Cream had blown out their equipment and had to borrow the Dead's gear for their set this night.

It's interesting how artist Ford used the band publicity photos he was supplied. Cream's well-known current photo was turned into a dot pattern and stretched out over the rainbow beams leading up to the group's name; you wouldn't recognize that dark pattern as a photo of Cream unless you really looked hard. And the Dead are pictured in five circles above their name at the bottom, with even a couple of them being tough to recognize. Yes, there's a Phil Lesh image buried in the deep purple circle; we're happy Jerry Garcia (sans beard) is in the center and high contrast.

Measures 15 5/8" x 20" and grades to Near Mint condition. From the David Swartz Concert Poster Collection. COA from Heritage Auctions.

Literature: See Grushkin, Paul, The Art of Rock: Posters from Presley to Punk, Abbeville Press, New York, 1987, p.259 (illus.).

More Information: Poster has a very soft, small upper left corner crease, barely visible, and a very minor surface blemish above the yellow half-circle down by the left edge. General light toning throughout.


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