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Splatt Gallery's History of Michigan Concert Posters
Volume Ten - 1974 - Page Three
Gary Grimshaw poster for Gato Barbieri, Esther Phillips, and Keith Jarrett at Hill Auditorium in Ann Arbor, February 23, 1974.
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Newsprint version of Gary Grimshaw’s poster for Gato Barbieri, Esther Phillips, and Keith Jarrett at Hill Auditorium in Ann Arbor, Michigan, February 23, 1974.
Illustration by Gary Kell in the Ann Arbor Sun newspaper in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with information on voter registration beginning February 23, 1974.
A flyer for Third Stone From The Sun at the Primo Show Bar in Ann Arbor, Michigan on February 24, 1974.
An ad for Ted Nugent & the Amboy Dukes, with Jonathon Round in South Bend, Indiana on February 24, 1974, featuring a guitar battle between Nugent and Mike Pinera of Cactus, and also local group Ezekial Longspur.
Terry O’Connor poster for Badfinger at The Brewery in East Lansing, Michigan, February 25, 1974.
Dennis Preston poster for Phil Ochs at The Stables in East Lansing, Michigan, February 27, 1974 through March 2nd.
The British band Yes performed their 8th and 9th Michigan shows, going back to July 1971, at Cobo Hall in Detroit, February 27-28, 1974. Again, in this period of proliferation of live recordings, here is the complete show from the second night.
Yes – Live in Detroit, Michigan (2/28/74)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8q-G3a7cD4
A full-page Atlantic Records ad for the “Tales from Topographic Oceans” album by Yes, with tour dates, including two shows at Cobo Arena in Detroit, Michigan, February 27-28, 1974.
Our annual look at illustrator Bill Utterback’s Playboy All Star Band, from the February 1974 issue. As our long-time readers know, Utterback began his delightful caricatures of the assembled group of poll winners for the Playboy All Star Jazz Band in 1966. In 1968, as more pop and rock artists made the list, the name was changed to simply the All Star Band, and new categories such as Best Vocal Group and Best Instrumental Combo were added.
Although Playboy marketed itself as the ultimate in “hip”, it was a Honk version, and the choices were mainly the chart-toppers, who once they made the list tended to remain the same for years in a row. The horn section basically remained unchanged since the first polls in the fifties, and specialized instruments such as the clarinet and “third trombone” guaranteed that Pete Fountain and Si Zentner would remain forever. But nonetheless, Utterback’s illustrations always kept it fresh.
A full-page Motown Records ad for the fourth solo album by former Temptations vocalist Eddie Kendricks, released in February 1974. The title track became his second consecutive #1 on Billboard magazine’s R&B Singles chart (following 1973’s “Keep On Truckin’”) and just missed becoming his second consecutive #1 on the Hot 100 chart, peaking at #2.
Eddie Kendricks – Boogie Down (1973)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkYIps3h_F4
An ad for Suzi Quatro’s debut album in the March 1, 1974 issue of the LA Free Press in Los Angeles, California.
The third in a series of band name themed illustrations by an unknown artist for Lizard’s Bar in East Lansing, Michigan, creating this one for Ann Arbor’s Radio King, March 1-2, 1974.
A full-page Motown Records ad with Stevie Wonder thanking the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) for the four Grammy Awards presented to him at 16th Annual Grammy Awards held on March 2, 1974. He won Album of the Year for “Innervisions”, Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male for "You Are the Sunshine of My Life", Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male for "Superstition", and Best R&B Song for "Superstition".
A record store ad for Earth, Wind & Fire with Weather Report at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti on March 3, 1974, a double-bill that was not that unusual for the time. This was the ninth Michigan show for EW&F, and in their previous appearances they had opened for Long John Baldry, Delaney & Bonnie, the Temptations, and Uriah Heep.
Deep Purple kicked off their US tour in support of their eighth album “Burn” with two shows at Cobo Arena in Detroit, Michigan, March 3-4, 1974.
Poster/ad by Hugh Surratt for Roger McGuinn at The Stables in East Lansing, Michigan, March 5-9, 1974.
Poster for Suzi Quatro in Offenbach, Germany on March 6, 1974.
Poster/handbill by John Benson for Joltwagon at the Electric Circus Arcade in Roseville, Michigan on March 6, 1974, with upcoming acts the Rockets with Rumor, and Skip Van Winkle with Nature.
A new club, the Rubaiyat, opened in Ann Arbor, Michigan, March 7, 1974, kicking off with the band Fox Fire, and an ad by an unknown artist.
For the month of March, the Lincoln Park Theatre in Lincoln Park, Michigan held weekly concerts on Thursday nights, starting with Uprising and Mojo Boogie Band on March 7, 1974, followed by Lightnin’, Toe Jam, and Side Show on March 14th, Love Music and Pegasus on March 21st, and Fantasy Hill with Heavyn on March 28th. Posters by an unknown artist.
Very colorful poster by Chris Frayne (Ozone) for Commander Cody & his Lost Planet Airmen in Modesto, California, March 8, 1974.
Striking cover of the March 8, 1974 issue of the Ann Arbor SUN newspaper, designed by Barbara Weinberg with drawing by Harold Schwan.
The five-dollar weed law was once again on the ballot, having been erased when Republicans took back control of the Ann Arbor city government. This time it was being proposed as a charter amendment which would make it impossible to repeal again. Republicans moved to limit the number of voter registration sites since they knew then what they still know now, that voter suppression was the only way they could win. Naturally, the Ypsilanti Dope Dealers Association endorsed the referendum, with this ad with an illustration by Mike Brady.
Very cool illustration by an unknown artist that accompanied a get out the vote article in the March 8, 1974 issue of the Ann Arbor SUN newspaper.
Gary Kell, staff artist for the Ann Arbor Sun newspaper and poster artist, also began a comic strip called “Fish Funnies” that ran serially in the Sun, beginning with the March 8, 1974 issue. Here are the first four episodes, which if you can upload, you can expand to be very readable.
Poster by an unknown artist for Magnotta in East Lansing, Michigan, March 8, 1974.
A poster for Suzi Quatro with Dynamite Mud in Vienna, Austria on March 8, 1974.
Poster by Zeke Mallory of Crow Quill for Mr. Flood’s Party in Ann Arbor, Michigan with the Brooklyn Blues Busters appearing March 8-10, 1974, with additional upcoming shows by John Nicholas, Terry Tate with United Supply, D.C. Papke, Cadillac Cowboys, and Diesel Smoke Dangerous Curves.
A full-page Capitol Records ad in the March 9, 1974 issue of Billboard magazine for the single “The Loco-Motion” by Grand Funk. It became their second, and final, #1 single on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. A second ad also shown.
Ad for The Hank Williams Jr. Show at the Masonic Temple in Detroit, Michigan, March 10, 1974, apparently his first time back to the state since recording his live album at Cobo Hall in 1969. It could just be a bad photo, but it almost looks like he joined the glitter-rock craze, wearing make-up (?), and is that a studded dog collar around his neck?
Actually, in a couple more years, Williams will change his sound, going from primarily playing his famous father’s songs to a harder “Southern Rock” style. And of course, his son, Hank III, who is about two years old at this time, will later re-style punk and doom rock.
Program cover and ad for Suzi Quatro in Zürich, Switzerland on March 10, 1974.
An ad for The Brewery in East Lansing, Michigan, which appears to be the last Michigan appearance by the British band Soft Machine, March 11, 1974. They performed at least eight times in the state, going back to opening for Jimi Hendrix in early 1968.
Also, in the up-coming shows is the return of Aerosmith to The Brewery on March 25th.
Poster by an unknown artist for the 12th annual Ann Arbor Film Festival, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, March 12-17, 1974.
The Dogs returned to NYC after some time back in Michigan, opening for the Dictators at Coventry, March 13, 1974.
Newspaper ad for the Grand Opening of Alex Cooley’s Electric Ballroom in Atlanta, Georgia with the first band to grace the stage, Commander Cody & His Lost Planet Airmen, March 13-16, 1974.
Nice illustration by an unknown artist for the Underground in Ypsilanti, Michigan, March 13-31, 1974. In addition to producing stylish ads, the venue also had some interesting bookings, with Comstock Lode, Storm, and Jeffrey.
A pair of Atlantic Records ads for the twentieth studio album by Aretha Franklin, released on February 25, 1974. One of her most popular records, it was her first #1 album on the Billboard R&B Albums chart since her string of them in 1967 to 1969, and featured three Top Ten R&B singles.
Volume Ten - 1974 - continues - HERE
An ad for the Woolies at the Alibi Nook Theater in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan on March 5, 1974.
Poster/flyer by Gary Grimshaw for the John Nicholas Band at the Primo Showbar in Ann Arbor on March 3, 1974, followed by the Monday night show by Radio King and upcoming shows with Cruiser and Jr. Walker & the All Stars.
Tucked in with other ads of the day, is an ad for Black Sabbath at the Bowen Fieldhouse in Ypsilanti, Michigan on February 23, 1974. We want to make note of the opening band, Bedlam, who only made two Michigan appearances – this one, and one twenty days earlier, also opening for Black Sabbath at Cobo Arena in Detroit.
Bedlam was a group formed by drummer Cozy Powell, following his two years as part of the Jeff Beck Group, resulting in two albums, “Rough & Ready” and “Jeff Beck Group” (1972). Bedlam broke up at the end of this Black Sabbath tour, as Powell had already embarked on a solo career, releasing the single “Dance with the Devil” in late 1973, just before going on this tour. The single peaked at #3 on the UK Singles Chart in January 1974. Powell was recording for producer Mickie Most’s Rak Records label, and his label mate, our own Suzi Quatro, played bass on the track.
Powell continued on an illustrious career, joining Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow, the Michael Schenker Group, Whitesnake, Emerson, Lake & Powell, Forcefield, Black Sabbath, and Brian May’s post-Queen group, as well as recording as a session musician with dozens of artists, from Donovan to Yngwie Malmsteen. Cozy Powell passed away in 1998, at age 50.
Here is a video of “Dance with the Devil”, unfortunately without Suzi.
Cozy Powell – Dance with the Devil (1973)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnz3uEVjOLo
An ad for Badfinger with Nazareth at the Michigan Palace in Detroit, Michigan, February 23, 1974. It seems that bootleg recordings of concerts were at a peak, here, in four parts, is the Badfinger set from this night:
Badfinger – Live in Detroit, Michigan (2/23/74)
https://badfinge.ipower.com/Badfinger/BadfingerinConcert/Badfinger_Detroit_1974-02-23_part1.mp3
https://badfinge.ipower.com/Badfinger/BadfingerinConcert/Badfinger_Detroit_1974-02-23_part2.mp3
https://badfinge.ipower.com/Badfinger/BadfingerinConcert/Badfinger_Detroit_1974-02-23_part3.mp3
https://badfinge.ipower.com/Badfinger/BadfingerinConcert/Badfinger_Detroit_1974-02-23_part4.mp3
The nice string of posters by Mike Brady and Gary Grimshaw of Rainbow Graphics for shows at the Bowen Fieldhouse in Ypsilanti, Michigan, seem to have come to an end with the Uriah Heep poster in April 1973. So, unfortunately, we missed out on posters for Sha Na Na, Edgar Winter’s White Trash, and saddest of all, for Black Sabbath on February 23, 1974.
We do have, however, an audio recording of Black Sabbath’s set:
Black Sabbath – Live in Ypsilanti, Michigan (2/23/74)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWsEAWmxSkA&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR2dgOImzDGAJwm-D1nUAUtZmZ75Xao7HvhDBuUraPxEein04r9Xs2atWvM
An ad in the February 22, 1974 issue of the Ann Arbor Sun newspaper for Commander Cody & his Lost Planet Airmen’s fourth album, a live album notable for featuring almost entirely new material. It was their first album not to feature the Commander’s brother Chris Frayne (Ozone) artwork, since it was recorded at the Armadillo World Headquarters in Austin, Texas, the kingdom of one of the greatest poster artists of all time, Jim Franklin.
Commander Cody & his Lost Planet Airmen – Live From Deep in the Heart of Texas (album) (1974)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tl4HbS6pprA&list=OLAK5uy_kSRxjm14mDQvtMw5wrZ3wFm7VgFITzPS4
Album cover artwork by Jim Franklin for Commander Cody & his Lost Planet Airmen album. Franklin also appears on the album as the MC for the live show.
The second in a series of band name themed illustrations by an unknown artist for Lizard’s Bar in East Lansing, Michigan, creating this one for Ann Arbor’s Vipers, February 22-23, 1974.
An ad by Crow Quill for the Fleetwood Diner in Ann Arbor, Michigan, dated February 22, 1974.
A new place for “Bar-room Rock & Roll”, called The Underground in Ypsilanti, opened February 22. 1974 with a show by Yazoo, and a poster/ad by an unknown artist. Jolt Wagon and Rabbits on the following weekends.
Program cover, with lettering likely by Gary Grimshaw, for the Roots & Branches concert at the Allen Theatre in Cleveland, Ohio, featuring Gato Barbieri, Esther Phillips, and Keith Jarrett on February 22, 1974.
A program from the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts with a performance by the Cruzonic Music Ensemble on February 19, 1974. The group included the Miller brothers Larry and Ben, and was their fourth musical endeavor, following Sproton Layer, Brainal Unit and
Marsh Crabbitts & his Clapfold Platune.
Also of note is bass player Mike Powers. When Destroy All Monsters debut their 7-piece configuration, opening for the Ramones at the Second Chance in Ann Arbor, Michigan on June 12, 1977, the show review, written by DAM’s manager David Keeps, identifies the bass player in DAM as Mike Powers, so apparently bassist Michael Davis, ex-MC5 had not yet joined the band at their debut.
Pictures, sound clips and additional information about the Cruzonics can be found here:
http://laurencebondmiller.yolasite.com/marsh-crabbitts-and-his-clapfold-platune.php
Another excellent poster by Terry O’Connor, for Lynyrd Skynyrd at The Brewery in East Lansing, February 20, 1974.
Ad for the Michigan Palace in Detroit with a misspelled Bachman(sic)-Turner Overdrive, Catfish Hodge, and Heartsfield, February 21, 1974.
A poster for a British and European tour of American Blues Legends, featuring Detroit’s Doctor Ross with a show at the South Parade Pier in Portsmouth, England on February 21, 1974.
A full-page Casablanca Records ad for the debut album by KISS, released on February 18, 1974. The ad lists tour dates that include a Michigan show in Mount Clemens on May 7, but schedules are subject to change and that show appears to have never happened. Instead, there were three other Michigan shows around that date; at the Thunderchicken in Comstock Park on May 2, at the Yack Arena in Wyandotte on May 12, and at the Fraser Hockeyland in Fraser on May 14.
Third illustration by W. Roble (?) for The Stables in East Lansing, Michigan, for John Stewart, February 18-23, 1974.
A newspaper review of Bob Seger’s show at The Brewery in East Lansing, Michigan, February 18, 1974, made note that it was his second show at the venue in the past six weeks and that one thing that had changed was the addition of Robyn Robins on keyboards, whom we have previously seen in the bands The Assemblage, and in Frost during the period after Dick Wagner had left the band. The still un-named Silver Bullet Band was coming together.
The reviewer also noted a new song in the set, “Need Ya”, which had just been released as a single, and stated that a new album was scheduled for release on March 15th.
Bob Seger – Need Ya (1974)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIuEB4es71w
Very cool poster by Terry O’Connor for Bob Seger at The Brewery in East Lansing, Michigan, February 18, 1974.
An ad for the Michigan Palace in Detroit with a show schedule that starts with Paul Butterfield on February 16, 1974.
Nice logo, by an unknown artist, for The Four Corners Coffeehouse in East Lansing, Michigan, February 25, 1974.
An ad for the Roxy in Hollywood, California with Donald Byrd & the Blackbyrds appearing March 1-3, 1974, followed by the Dramatics.
An ad for a party sponsored by the student newspaper at Oakland University on March 1, 1974, featuring the band Head First, which is described as a group composed of sidemen to Buddy Rich, Mitch Ryder and Curtis Mayfield.
An ad for WABX-FM radio published in the March 2, 1974 issue of The Fifth Estate newspaper in Detroit, Michigan.
