AMERICAN FOLK BLUES FESTIVAL ’72.

Description

Jahrhunderthalle, Frankfurt October 1972 concert poster (Kieser)

Original first printing concert poster advertising the AMERICAN FOLK BLUES FESTIVAL at the Jahrhunderthalle in Frankfurt [Germany] on Saturday, 14th October, 1972, presented by Lippmann+Rau. Performing artists included Jimmy Rogers, Roosevelt Sykes, Bukka White, Johnny Young, Lightnin’ Slim, Whispering Smith, and the Jimmy Dawkins Chicago Blues Band, featuring Dawkins, Big Voice Odom, W. D. Kent, Willie Lyon, and Billy Davenport. Striking artwork by noted German graphic designer, Günther Kieser, with his imprint to the lower right side border. It was legendary German promoters Horst Lippmann and Fritz Rau who were responsible for the festival since its start back in 1962 where they stuck upon the idea of bringing a cross section of American blues musicians to Europe for a package tour. Dubbed “The American Folk Blues Festival,” the shows were a major success and played a vital role in exposing American roots music to a new and appreciative audience abroad, especially in the United Kingdom, where the concerts proved to be a significant eye-opener for the founding members of the British blues-rock boom. Lippman and Rau turned the tour into an annual event and, fortunately, arranged for their artists to appear on a series of television specials recorded for German television.

The poster measures 59.9 x 83.8 cm (approx.  23.5″ by 33″ inches) and is beautifully printed on thin, matte-coated paper stock. The poster has been neatly folded with a tack hole to the corners and a touch of light surface handling wear. Additional photos available on request.