AMERICAN FOLK BLUES FESTIVAL ’81.

Description

Palmengarten, Frankfurt March 1981 concert poster (Kieser)

Original first printing concert poster advertising the American Folk Blues Festival at the Palmengarten in Frankfurt [Germany] on Wednesday, 11th March, 1981, presented by Lippmann+Rau in cooperation with Mike Scheller Concerts. Performing artists included Louisiana Red, Hubert Sumlin, Margie Evans, Bowling Green John Cephas, Harmonica Phil Wiggins, Carey Bell, Lurrie Bell, Sunnyland Slim, Bob Stroger, and Odie Payne. 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 features uncredited artwork by Günther Kieser.

The poster measures 59.8 x 84.2 cm (approx. 23.5″ by 33.1″ inches) and is beautifully printed on thin, coated paper stock. Neatly folded thrice with light wear along the fold lines, else in remarkably near excellent condition. Feel free to email us with any questions you may have concerning this item. Additional images of the poster available on request.