It’s not as ornate as many of its cousins, but it’s hard to imagine a more psychedelic lineup of artists inspired by the era – and a generous dose of pharmacopeia. You may be having phantom flashbacks by the time you’ve read down to the bottom of this hot pink window card.
AUCTION PREVIEW: A 1966 concert poster with the Beach Boys and Jefferson Airplane.
This was an undeniable landmark era. Brian Wilson and the band, taking a leap off the sonic diving board constructed by The Beatles with their Rubber Soul, into their own visionary and almost jarring departure with the release of The Beach Boys Pet Sounds in May, a month before this concert! Jefferson Airplane is just four months away from recruiting Grace Slick, who would contribute her magnum opus “White Rabbit” to the group, which would be released a year later on the band’s seminal Surrealistic Pillow album. The Byrds were at the peak of their psychedelic era, with their March 1966 release of “Eight Miles High,” a bona fide countercultural hit. The Lovin’ Spoonful with “Summer in the City” would be released a month after this concert and break the top 10 in the US on its way to being the band’s only #1 hit.
It’s all on this incredible 12-7/8” x 22” piece of cardstock.
Have a look at the in-depth poster description by Heritage’s renowned expert Pete Howard:
Beach Boys, Jefferson Airplane 1966 Cow Palace, San Francisco Concert Poster. An original cardboard window card advertising “The Beach Boys Summer Spectacular” playing at San Francisco’s cavernous Cow Palace on Friday night, June 24, 1966.
If you were at this show, wished you were, or wish you’d been born in time to be there, this is a meaningful poster to add to your collection. Deceptively simple considering the raucous tribe of influential artists that took to the stage that San Francisco June night in ’66. This and many other vintage rock posters can be yours in this spectacular auction!
Turn on, tune in, and bid up.