Jackie Brenston, Ike Turner 1951 Seminal "Rocket 88" Concert Poster. ...

Description

Jackie Brenston, Ike Turner 1951 Seminal "Rocket 88" Concert Poster. An original, large cardboard window card for a 1951 R&B concert that also promoted one of the most important records in rock 'n' roll history - "Rocket 88" as produced by Ike Turner and sung by Jackie Brenston. Many consider "Rocket 88" to be the first Rock 'n' Roll recording. It was released in April 1951, credited to Jackie Brenston and His Delta Cats. Although Brenston did write the song (a re-working of "Cadillac Boogie" by Jimmy Liggins), the song was really recorded by Ike Turner and His Kings of Rhythm, with new recruit Brenston on vocals. The song was cut at Sam Phillips' studio in Memphis. When the single was released Ike Turner was less than pleased to discover that Chess had credited it to Brenston and not him. The song went to #1 on the R&B charts and, the rest, they say, is history. So this is a very historic and scarce 70-year-old poster. We've sold it once before, five years ago, and it went for $6,000. Measures 22" x 28 1/4" and grades to restored Very Good condition. COA from Heritage Auctions.

More Information: Once considerably damaged, the board has been heavily restored and brought nicely up to snuff by Chameleon Restoration. Our photo of the verso well-informs about the extensive repair work that's been done. On the front, it's most distinguishable in the lettering of the lower-left quadrant (but luckily missing Jackie's picture altogether). There are about 10 sets of staple holes throughout the poster, especially down the left side (two of them in Jackie's picture); some show daylight through and some don't. Notice there's one in the "4" of "Wed. July 4." In the process of restoring the bottom margin, the five-word printer's credit ("Southern Printing Co. Atlanta GA.") was eliminated. Besides all the repaired tears and creases, there is surface dirt and grime prevalent throughout the yellow. And as a result of the restoration, the board doesn't lay flat, but is rather ‘curvy' throughout. But the poster once again has strong bones, is solid and rigid, feels fully original and genuine, and is as down-and-dirty and gritty as the jump blues R&B scene itself following WWII.