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Splatt Gallery's History of Michigan Music Posters
Volume Two - 1964-1966 - Page Twenty
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Volume Two - 1964-1966 - continues - HERE
Full-page Kama Sutra Records ads for the singles “Daydream” and "Summer in the City" by the Lovin’ Spoonful, released in 1966, the year that the band performed their first two Michigan shows, at the Michigan State Fairgrounds in Detroit on June 25th and at the Masonic Auditorium in Detroit on December 9, 1966. They would only perform twice more in Michigan, in March 1967 in Ann Arbor and in February 1968 in East Lansing.
Here is a clip of the band “performing” the song on TV, to the obvious distaste of guitarist Zal Yanovsky.
The Lovin’ Spoonful – Day dream (1966)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KUzFF-kLFc
A poster/ad for the 1st Birthday Party for The Paper, obviously by the same artist who made the Mothers of Invention poster shown above, and with the same date as the Mothers show, December 9, 1966, it looks like the two events were combined.
A gender bender mindfuck in store for the good people of Lansing, Michigan, with the “Eye Que Quizz”, “Boys will be Girls” female impersonators shows at The Dells that commenced on December 9, 1966 (the same night that the Mothers of Invention were playing across town) and ran through until the 18th of the month.
Two floor shows nightly and music by the pride of Grand Rapids, Michigan, the Kingtones, also shown here in their more natural habitat, the Shamrock Lounge in Grand Rapids, where, “Yes! You still can see Go-Go GIRLS”, (or were they?).
We’ve chronicled the Kingtones in earlier posts, and they will continue on, but for the full scoop on this resilient band who made some, too few, damn good recordings, go here: http://www.thekingtones.com/
The Kingtones – Twins (1963)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PM5Rud_PmE
Newspaper ad for the Masonic Auditorium in Detroit, Michigan, with The Lovin’ Spoonful, in their second Michigan appearance, and The Association, in their first Michigan appearance, December 9, 1966.
The Lovin’ Spoonful – Summer in the City (1966)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klNf9LCe9wo
The Association – Along Comes Mary (1966)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYJhhKSXOBo
A better image, and a slightly different version, of the ad for the Mothers of Invention at the Union Ballroom in East Lansing, Michigan, December 9, 1966. We had assumed that this ad was made by Frank Zappa, but we now believe that it was created by someone on the staff of The Paper.
A better image of the ad for the Mothers of Invention at the Union Ballroom in East Lansing, Michigan, December 9, 1966. We had assumed that this ad was made by Frank Zappa, but we now believe that it was created by someone on the staff of The Paper.
A better image of the ad for the Mothers of Invention and the Woolies at the Union Ballroom in East Lansing, Michigan, December 9, 1966. We had assumed that this ad was made by Frank Zappa, but we now believe that it was created by someone on the staff of The Paper.
Poster/ad for the December 9, 1966 appearance by the Mothers of Invention at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan by an unknown artist with a message along the bottom that reads, “James K. Polk Memorial Rock Band dance next term”.
A Globe Poster for “The Wilson Pickett Show” in Richmond, Virginia, December 4, 1966, with a great band photo of the “special added attraction”, Motown’s Junior Walker & the All Stars.
A two-page collage titled “The Life of the Underground Press” in the December 8, 1966 edition of The Paper in East Lansing, Michigan.
Who could imagine? An in-store appearance by the Mothers of Invention at the Disc Shop in Lansing, Michigan, the day of their show at Michigan State University, December 9, 1966.
Frank Zappa also made most of the flyers and posters for the early Mothers of Invention concerts. On December 9, 1966, the Mothers made their second Michigan appearance, at the MSU Union in East Lansing. The poster on the left was made locally by an unknown artist, but the two-page ad in the student paper the day before the concert certainly Zappa’s, in the collage style of his posters for earlier California shows and his album artwork until he hired artist Cal Schenkel.
An ad for a “Concert in Soul” at Masonic Auditorium in Detroit on December 4, 1966, featuring the Donald Byrd Quartet. It may be the Quartet that was making its “first appearance in Detroit” as stated on the ad, but for leader Donald Byrd it was a homecoming show back to his hometown.
A full-page ad in the December 3, 1966 issue of Billboard magazine, for Big Wheels Records, the New York label that picked up the stranded artists from Robert West’s Lu Pine Records after West had his eye shot out by Mary Wells’ ex-husband and moved to Las Vegas to recuperate.
This was the later version of the Falcons after all of the former members, including Joe Stubbs, Eddie Floyd, Wilson Pickett, Mack Rice, Lance Finney, Willie Schofield and Robert Ward had all moved on to solo careers.
A superb 2020 interview with Bettye LaVette, “James Brown would have fired Kanye West 12 times” can be found here:
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/aug/27/bettye-lavette-james-brown-kanye-west-aretha-franklin-kamala-harris
And everything known about Sandy Hollis can be found here:
https://www.soul-source.co.uk/articles/soul-articles/sandy-hollis-the-lost-detroit-soulstress-found-r4373/
The Falcons – Standing On Guard (1966)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3UrSqTpkM8
Betty La Vette – I’m Holding On (1966)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mKFzEL3DgE
Sandy Hollis – I’m Tempted (1966)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEWf9pyYc5g
The KRLA BEAT, the magazine of KRLA radio in Los Angeles, California, admirably showcased lesser-known and “underground” artists, at least those who had attracted some major label attention. Here, in the December 3, 1966 issue, the showcase featured LA’s Peanut Butter Conspiracy and Detroit’s Spike Drivers. But they never strayed too far from their intended teeny-bopper audience, as the Spike Drivers are described as “the all-married (sorry!) group”.
The issue also ran a feature on Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels.
Poster by Mickey Kress for the Rationals and the Apostles at the Fifth Dimension club in Ann Arbor, Michigan on December 3, 1966. It looks like he might have screwed up the 5D logo and decided to just cover it up.
With the holiday season coming upon us, here is the “Plum St. Christmas Shopping Guide” from the December 1, 1966 issue of the Fifth Estate newspaper in Detroit, Michigan.
An ad for the Mixed Media book and record store, and the Fifth Estate bookstore, in Detroit, Michigan from the December 1, 1966 issue of the Fifth Estate newspaper.
Marvin Gaye at the Twenty Grand club in Detroit, Michigan, December 2-11, 1966.
Newspaper ad for the ninth weekend at the Grande Ballroom, December 2-3, 1966, with the misspelled “Psychodelic Flip-Out” and a coupon for free admission. There does not appear to have been a poster made for this weekend. On Friday night the Southbound Freeway performed with the Hearde and on Saturday it was the Poor Souls and the Cosmic Expanding Blues Band. It was the first weekend that the MC5 did not perform at least one of the nights.
A Christmas ad from Motown Records, in the December 3, 1966 issue of Billboard magazine.
A promo sheet for WCHB radio in Detroit, Michigan, circa December 1966, with photos of Bill Williams, LeBaron Taylor, Martha Jean “The Queen”, Donny Brooks, Jack Springer, George Pryce, Bill Bailey, Bill “Butterball” Crane, Nat Keller, Rev. Robert Grant, and Ed Love, who can still be heard on WDET-FM radio on Sunday nights.
The Supremes on the cover of the December 1966 issue of Teen Scoop magazine.
Cover of the December 1, 1966 issue of the Fifth Estate newspaper in Detroit, Michigan, that marks the completion of the move of the giant Uniroyal Tire from the 1964 World’s Fair grounds in New York, where it served as a working Ferris Wheel, to the offices of the Uniroyal company along the I-94 expressway in Allen Park, Michigan.
We completely disagree with the editorial staff at the Fifth Estate, whom were advocating to get rid of it, we think it’s one of the coolest things “a-round”.
Excerpts from the December 1, 1966 issue of the Fifth Estate newspaper in Detroit, showing the column header for John Sinclair’s “The Coat Puller” column, the staff listing which includes Gary Grimshaw, and a cartoon by Rob Tyner, lead singer of the MC5.
The events calendar from the December 1, 1966 issue of the Fifth Estate newspaper in Detroit, Michigan with concerts by Theodore Bikel, the Lyman Woodard Ensemble, and the Lovin’ Spoonful. The clubs that are listed are the Living End, the Raven, the Chessmate, the Poison Apple, and the Grande Ballroom.
The collected works of the Detroit Artists Workshop was anthologized in December 1966.
The December 1966 calendar of events for Dave Leone’s Hideout #3 in Clawson, Michigan. At this point, the Hideout #1 in Harper Woods was still in operation, but the Hideout #2 in Southfield may have ceased operation due to its close proximity to #3 in Clawson. The fourth Hideout, better known as the Silverbell, had a “Grand Opening” at the end of November 1966, but this was a “test run”, and that club will officially opening on the up-coming New Year’s Eve.
December 4, 1966 appears to be the debut of the Thyme, mis-spelled and identified as “formerly the Hitch Hikers”.
An ad and small feature story for Chuck and Joni Mitchell at the Living End in Detroit for six nights, November 29, 1966 through December 4th.
An ad for Ray Anthony & his Bookend Revue at the Roostertail in Detroit, November 28, 1966 through December 3rd, “bookending” the year, if you will, with his appearance at the Roostertail in January.
Originating from the Puerto Rican neighborhoods of New York City, the Boogaloo was a mutant combination of R&B and the mambo, and it became quite the craze. The term was coined in 1966, the biggest hit was "Bang Bang" by the Joe Cuba Sextet, which sold over one million copies and peaked at #63 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on November 26, 1966.
The Chicago duo, Tom & Jerry-O, released the song ”Boo-Ga-Loo”, which sold a million copies and caught the attention of Berry Gordy who recognized the track as “Do the See-Saw” which he had recorded with The Contours but had never released. Motown successfully sued and Tom & Jerry-O never saw a dime.
Jerry-O decided to go solo and moved to Detroit where he teamed up with producer Sammy Kaplan who was already full on into the craze with his own Boo-Ga-Loo record label. They recorded a follow-up, “Karate Boo-Ga-Loo” at Terra Shirma studios with the moonlighting Funk Brothers.
The illustration of Jerry-O is from the “Secret History of Chicago Music” by Plastic Crimewave, an excellent website found here:
https://www.plasticcrimewave.com/secret-history-of-chicago-music
Here’s Jerry-O with a terrible lip-synch performance on Robin Seymour’s Swingin’ Time TV show, and the Contour’s “Do the See-Saw” for comparison.
Tom & Jerry-O – (Papa Chew) Do the Boo-Ga-Loo (1966)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Crh4ODBT_GA
The Contours – Do the See-Saw (1963)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJfeGQwnJvo
Joe Cuba Sextet – Bang! Bang! (1966)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MenOmqIBmIM
Thanksgiving Weekend in New York, 1966, with Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels sharing the billing with the Young Rascals at the Action House, November 25-26, 1966.
Newspaper ad for the Grand Opening of the Silverbell Night Club in Auburn Hills, Michigan on the weekend of November 25-26, 1966. One of the groups, The Dynamics, were listed with their 1963 single “Misery/I’m The Man”
The Dynamics – I’m The Man (1963)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKV-yCldnVo
The Dynamics – Misery (1963)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmcEMtuRP54
Poster for the Grand Opening of the Silver Bell Nite Club, November 25-26, 1966. It was another venture by Punch Andrews as he laid claim to the Silverbell ski resort on Bald Mountain in Auburn Hills, Michigan as the fourth Hideout location. On this poster, Silver and Bell are separate words, going forward it would be written as one word, and for a while it would be called the Silverbell-Hideout, eventually, simply as the Silverbell.
There is often some confusion over the numerous “Hideout” clubs, this is the breakdown as best as we can tell:
- Original Hideout in Harper Woods, Michigan, opened on May 8, 1964
- Hideout #2 in Southfield, Michigan, opened on May 21, 1965 (just after the one year anniversary of Hideout #1
- Hideout #3 in Clawson, Michigan, opened on August 23, 1966 (although there was a “Grand Opening” on November 4, 1966)
- Silverbell (Hideout #4) in Auburn Hills, Michigan, opened on November 25, 1966 (this has been called a “test” opening and the official opening is generally considered as New Year’s Eve, December 31, 1966)
The Thanksgiving weekend, November 25-26, 1966 was the eighth one at the Grande Ballroom and was the third poster (not counting ads) that was made by MC5 lead singer, Rob Tyner, whose drawings were becoming quite good. Billed as “A Conscious Reality Drop Out & Dance Concert”, the Jagged Edge opened for the MC5 on Friday night, with the Black & Blues Band opening for the MC5. on Saturday. The handbill also doubled as a buy one, get one free admission coupon.
It was the first appearance at the Grande for the Detroit high school band, The Jagged Edge, who would perform at the Ballroom close to 30 times. Led by Dave “Stoney” Mazur, the Jagged Edge, who started out playing biker parties, were amazingly heavy right from the start, and Mazur’s wild stage antics were a major inspiration for Iggy Pop, who had to frequently one-up him as they followed them in shows.
The Jagged Edge – Can’t Find the Key (1968)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BPS4kcx2wY
Comedian George Carlin recorded his first solo album over the nights of November 25-27, 1966 at the Roostertail supper club in Detroit, Michigan, the album was released in 1967.
George Carlin – Wonderful WINO (1967) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHhFT8eTCyc
Poster/flyer for Terry Knight & the Pack at La Cave in Cleveland, Ohio, November 24-26, 1966. In the photo, (L to R) Curt Johnson, Don Brewer, Herm Jackson, Terry Knight, Bobby Caldwell.
Guitarist Mark Farner had left to join Dick Wagner’s band, the Bossmen, however Farner was back at the start of 1967, replacing Curt Johnson after the Bossmen broke up.
An ad for the Bossmen at the Owosso Armory in Owosso, Michigan on November 23, 1966, followed by the Morgue three nights later.
A poster for the Café Au Go-Go in New York City with a Thanksgiving week “Blues Bag” show including John Lee Hooker, with an extra preview performance on November 21, 1966.
The full page coverage in the Fifth Estate newspaper of Andy Warhol’s "world's first mod wedding" on the Michigan State Fairgrounds on November 20, 1966. And a better look at the ad and poster.
Flyer for the Grand Opening of The Crow’s Nest club in Madison Heights, Michigan, November 20, 1966, with opening band The Phred. Later, a Crow’s Nest East would open in St. Clair Shores, and a Crow’s Nest West would open in Westland.
Ad for the Roostertail club in Detroit, Michigan, Thanksgiving week, November 21-28, 1966. The Cyrkle performed on the Upper Deck, while the Serendipity Singers and comedian George Carlin performed in the main dining room. Carlin, in his first Michigan appearance, recorded his first solo album from the live performances during this stand.
We've already seen that Detroit was a city of many "firsts", from the first paved street in the United States to the first self-immolation in protest of the Vietnam war on those very streets, and on November 20, 1966 the "world's first mod wedding" on the Michigan State Fairgrounds at the “Carnaby Street Fun Festival”.
Dreamed up as a publicity stunt by Motown promoter, Al Abrams, the wedding band was The Velvet Underground, Nico officiated the ceremony and Andy Warhol gave the bride away. In front of a crowd of 4,500 people, the Velvet Underground played “Here Comes the Bride” while a roadie pounded on an old DeSoto automobile with the sledgehammer. Warhol helped the bride cut the cake with a sword and tossed autographed cans of tomato soup into the crowd. His gift to the happy couple was a giant inflatable Baby Ruth candy bar.
The bride's mother lamented, "This is not the kind of wedding we had planned for our daughter". Super-square, Dick Clark, who had emceed the three-day festival (“His Cavalcade of ‘Mod’ Stars”), made the snarky comment, “It would be in better taste if you had those people throwing up on each other”.
The Velvet Underground – Sunday Morning (1967) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qK82JvRY5s
As seen previously, Reprise Records had been placing ads for Detroit’s Spike Drivers in Billboard magazine for three straight weeks, beginning in October. They sprung for this full-page ad in the November 19, 1966 issue. Despite the valiant push, the Spike Drivers were perhaps too incogitable for the masses.
Poster by James Montgomery for “The Two Faces of OM” show, November 19, 1966, featuring the Cosmic Expanding Blues Band.
Poster by James Montgomery for “The Silver Airplane” show on an unknown date.
