The history of the concert poster

AUCKLAND, Thursday: Rock’n’roll and posters go together like Page & Plant, Lennon & McCartney, Tegan & Sara or those two dudes in Daft Punk. “Together,” the old rockers declare (in the latest edition of their weekly e-newletter Phan Mail), “they make magic.”

We think you’ll love this prize. The Art of Rock is 348 pages of visual delight – a lavishly illustrated record of the rock concert poster.

From the hallucinatory creations of the psychedelic era, to the in-your-face impact of ’70s punk, this book has it all. There’s a foreword by Bill Graham of Fillmore fame, interviews with poster artists, musicians and promoters, and much more.”

And it could be yours.

Phan Mail: “Designers relish the opportunity to create something vivid and original. Musicians relish the chance to connect with their audience on the street. The results frequently end up in the collections of art-lovers.

“At Phantom Billstickers, the very first poster we stuck to a wall was promoting a gig,”

“At Phantom Billstickers, the very first poster we stuck to a wall was promoting a gig,” writes Phan Mail’s editor.

“Every week, we stick up a load more. So we thought it was time to celebrate the art of the music poster with a free prize draw for Phan Mail readers.

From the 1950s through today, Paul Grushkin has created the complete visual history of the rock concert poster: the funkiest bills advertising Elvis, BB King, and Howlin’ Wolf; Grateful Dead, Dylan, and the Doors; the Sex Pistols, Crime, and the Clash.

From the Red Dog Saloon in San Francisco, where the psychedelic scene started, to CBGB, New York’s punk Mecca, and beyond. 1500 images searched out world-wide from clubs, attics, and bedrooms—as well as more formal collections—are reproduced in their original blazing colours.

Replete with firsthand history – including exclusive interviews with scores of insiders, poster artists, musicians, and promoters – this is an ultimate high for the rock music fan, required reading for the poster collector, a treasure trove for the graphic artist, and a riotous feast for anyone who digs pop culture.

• Follow this link for the question, and more info. Get the answer to Phantom by this Tuesday 25 May and they’ll do the rest: 0800phantom.co.nz/youll-love-this-prize
• goodreads.com/book/The_Art_of_Rock