David Bowie promo movie poster advertising D.A. Pennebaker’s film Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars. This Italian poster for the original 1984 release measures 39.5 x 55 inches..
Pennebaker’s film documents Bowie’s final show with his most famous band, at London’s Hammersmith Odeon on July 3, 1973. Release of the film was delayed by post production and probably rights issues, but when it finally came to market it was embraced by fans as a classic music documentary. Postrers were sent to movie theaters only.
An extremely rare original French promotional poster advertising the live Iggy and the Stooges album Metallic K.O. This legendary semi-legal live album was first released in 1976 by the French label Skydog Records, who made this poster. Recorded partly during The Stooges final show at the Michigan Palace, it documents Iggy baiting the audience while being pelted with eggs, ice, beer bottles and other missiles.
Metallic K.O. was one of the only Stooges albums available during the 1970’s, and was essential in furthering their legend. While subsequently released a number of times by various labels, this poster dates from the original Skydog release. Printed on thick stock, in near mint condition, measures 24.5 x 18.5 inches.
In 1961, one of the earliest Beatles concert posters ever, from their December 9 show at the, “Battle of the Bands” in Aldershot, 30 miles outside London. This show was The Beatles’ first live performance in the south of England and took place the same night as their informal London debut. But this date was legendary as this was the night the Beatles performed for an audience of only 18 people.
Promoter Sam Leach’s advertisement failed to run in the local paper, and the Beatles arrived, after a nine hour bus journey from Liverpool, to an empty hall. Leach ran around to local pubs offering free admission and was eventually able to round up 18 people for The Beatles performance.
The Beatles, with original drummer Pete Best, were as the poster read, “Direct from their German Tour” playing in Hamburg for one night, along with Ivor Jay & the Jaywalkers, billed as “One of London’s Top Beat Groups” they were virtually unknown, and adding to the confusion, they never showed up. While this was billed as the first in a series of “Big Beat Sessions,” it was the Beatles’ first and last performance in this series.
There are only two examples of this poster known to exist, a third copy surfaced some years ago, but it is missing much of its right edge. A truly extraordinary Beatles collectible from their earliest days.
