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Splatt Gallery's History of Michigan Concert Posters
Volume Nine - 1973 - Page Four
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An ad for a dance at the South Quad of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, with Detroit, the Rockets, and free beer, March 16, 1973.
A Motown Records ad in the March 16, 1973 issue of the British music magazine Blues & Soul featuring albums by the Supremes, Jr Walker & the All Stars, and Rare Earth.
Poster for Stevie Wonder in Long Beach, California, March 16, 1973, that gives us a nice clear image of the standard double-exposure shot used on many of the posters and ads for this tour.
A visually pleasing poster for Stevie Wonder in Long Beach, California, March 16, 1973.
Poster by an unknown artist for Weather Report at the Strata Concert Gallery in Detroit, March 16-18, 1973.
Poster for Ted Nugent & the Amboy Dukes with REO Speedwagon and Joe Walsh with Barnstorm in Kansas City, Missouri on March 17, 1973, which saw Barnstorm’s drummer Joe Vitale sharing the stage again with his former boss, Ted Nugent.
A two-page Epic Records ad in the March 17, 1973 issue of Billboard magazine for the tenth studio album by British singer-songwriter Donovan. While Donovan was recording “Cosmic Wheels”, Alice Cooper were recording their album “Billion Dollar Babies” in the same studio, and Donovan ended up singing co-lead with Cooper on the title track.
For his own album, Donovan enlisted a long list of guest musicians, including Suzi Quatro on vocals for the track below:
Donovan (with Suzi Quatro on vocals) - The Music Makers (1973)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=On_l5vzOVmA
It’s tough to find a two to three week period where a Michigan band did not perform in the Northeastern Ohio area. Here, over the space of ten days, are six shows by Michigan artists, with Brownsville Station at the Corral in North Olmsted, Ohio, March 8-9, Ted Nugent & the Amboy Dukes at the Lion’s Den in Akron, Ohio, March 9-10, and Bob Seger at the Lion’s Den, March 17-18, 1973.
Poster/ad for the Detroit Emeralds on a six-show UK tour beginning on March 19. 1973.
The first Michigan appearance by the Bee Gees, at Masonic Auditorium in Detroit, March 20, 1973. Concert photo by Chris Walter. A show review, written by Bo White, said that with the encore of “Lonely Days”, backed thirty members of the Detroit Symphony, “the show ended on a rousing note”.
Bee Gees – Lonely Days (1970)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50vA6O9otjw
A calendar for the Eden Sun Bakery in Ann Arbor, Michigan by Gary Grimshaw and Big Rich Dorris. Structured as a Zodiac calendar, it starts with Aries, March 21, 1973.
A preview of the Alice Cooper tour in the March 22, 1973 issue of the Northeastern Ohio Scene magazine.
On March 22, 1973, a new single by The Supremes (at this point, Jean Terrell, Mary Wilson, and Lynda Laurence), produced by Stevie Wonder, was released, as the ad states, to coincide the Supremes’ tour of the UK. The record did not sell well back in the US, but it was a hit in the UK and elsewhere around the world. In related news, it was reported that the London, England division of Tamla-Motown would begin developing their own acts. And, before the end of the year, the famed Wigan Casino in England would begin its weekly soul all-nighters, the epitome of the “Northern Soul”.
The Supremes – Bad Weather (1973)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzZXYmSop5Q
These shows by BB King at the Fountain Street Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, March 22, 1973, sadly mark the end of the string of concerts that Carolyn Heines had presented at the church since 1965. She had brought in over twenty acts to perform in the church, ranging from Duke Ellington to Frank Zappa, all of which we’ve chronicled with the posters we could find. The complete story of “The Carol Heines’ Fountain Street Church Concert Era; 1966-1973”, very well written by Kim Rush, can be enjoyed here:
http://www.westmichmusichystericalsociety.com/fsc-2/
Gary Grimshaw poster for BB King and Howlin’ Wolf at the Bowen Field House in Ypsilanti, Michigan, March 23, 1973.
A wonderful poster by an unknown artist for the Tower Theater in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, with a show by Stevie Wonder on March 23, 1973, and an impressive list of acts appearing prior, including David Bowie, Captain Beefheart, and Miles Davis.
A second poster for the Tower Theater in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, with the show by Stevie Wonder on March 23, 1973.
Handbill by Keith Warren Graphics for Paul Butterfield with Luther Allison and Hookfoot at the Ford Auditorium in Detroit, Michigan on March 23, 1973.
Another great poster by Michael Krueger for the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago, Illinois, with two Michigan artists, Mike Quatro and a mis-spelled Bob Seger, opening for Tim Buckley on March 23, 1973.
Ad for The Brewery in East Lansing, for the first Michigan appearance by the English band Vinegar Joe, March 24-28, 1973. Both of the band’s two singers, Elkie Brooks and Robert Palmer had successful solo careers after the band broke up in 1974.
Vinegar Joe – Rusty Red Armour (1972)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3zXXKqn1Qc
Record company ad with tour dates for Vinegar Joe, showing both the shows at The Brewery in East Lansing, Michigan, and the show at Ford Auditorium in Detroit.
A real nice poster for Stevie Wonder at the University of Maryland on March 25, 1973.
The wonderful world of color in full display on this very nice poster for Stevie Wonder at the University of Maryland on March 25, 1973.
Following their show at The Garden in Boston, Massachusetts on March 26, 1973, Alice Cooper attended an after-show party sponsored by Warner Bros. Records at the Bal-O-Rue Roller Rink where they were treated to a performance by a local group, The “Fabulous” Shittons. Apparently the group is still active today, and still auditioning for new singers to join up.
The Shittons – Da Do Ron Ron (1971)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-clNqsB8dM
Newspaper ad for Iggy & the Stooges at Ford Auditorium in Detroit, Michigan on March 27, 1973, their first Michigan show in over 20 months.
As if a new batch of great album releases and killer shows were not enough to get the year started, Iggy & the Stooges returned to the stage, at Ford Auditorium in Detroit, Michigan on March 27, 1973, with this “Iggy Is Back” ad. Other than the one-off show in London, England in July 1972, this was the first time they had played a show in almost two years.
Former Prime Movers and ONCE Group keyboardist Bob Sheff was added to the Raw Power recording line-up of James Williamson on guitar, Ron Asheton on bass, and Scott Asheton on drums. The band practiced at SRC’s Morgan Sound Studio in Ypsilanti in preparation for the show, and tapes from these sessions are in circulation and pretty easily found.
Iggy & the Stooges – Head On Curve (Morgan Sound Studio) (1973)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RE1DtE5Jl8k
Volume Nine - 1973 - continues - HERE
Poster/flyer by Gary Grimshaw for a dance at the South Quad of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, with Detroit, the Rockets, and free beer, March 16, 1973.
Poster/flyer by Gary Grimshaw for Robert Jr. Lockwood at the Blind Pig in Ann Arbor, Michigan, March 20-22, 1973.
Opening for Iggy’s return at Ford Auditorium on March 27, 1973, was the band Detroit. According to a YouTube commentator, the band line-up for the show was:
Rusty Day (Ex-Amboys Dukes, Ex-Cactus) – Vocals and Harmonica
Bill Hodgeson (Pre-and post-Shadowfax) – Guitar
Gordon Lewis – Guitar
Terry Emery (Pre-.38 Special) – Keyboards
Nathaniel Peterson (Pre-Brataxis) – Bass
Greg Calder (Ex-Catfish) – Drums
Pre-Lynrd Skynyrd guitarist Steve Gaines had not yet joined the band at this point.
The photo of Day might not be from the show, but it was the cover for the bootleg CD.
Detroit – Live at Ford Auditorium, Detroit, Michigan (3-27-73)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MytXgkfKAiw
An RSO Records ad for the eleventh studio album by the Bee Gees, and the first release on Robert Stigwood’s RSO label, coinciding with the group’s first Michigan appearance, at Masonic Auditorium in Detroit, March 20, 1973.
The new band Uprising was formed when Frank Bach, the lead singer of the UP, decided to leave the music business, so the Rasmussen brothers joined together with three-fifths of the band Brat, including singer Leon Mills, to create Uprising.
The ad calls the March 13, 1973 show at the Odyssey in Ann Arbor, Michigan as the “Sneak Preview!” of the band, although the database cites a slightly earlier show on March 1st at the University of Michigan Union with Rio Smokehouse (with guitarist Steve Gaines) and the Knockdown Party Band, a show that the Ann Arbor Sun would have missed since the paper was on a two month hiatus due to financial difficulties.
A promo flyer for the band Uprising, formed in March 1973 when Frank Bach, the lead singer of the UP, decided to leave the music business, and the Rasmussen brothers joined together with three-fifths of the band Brat, singer Leon Mills, drummer Wilson Owens, and guitarist Don Benson, to create Uprising.
Band logo by Gary Grimshaw, photo by Leni Sinclair, and flyer by John Sinclair’s and Peter Andrews’ Rainbow Multi-Media.
Poster for the Temptations and Jr. Walker & the All Stars in Frankfurt, Germany on March 13, 1973.
Poster by an unknown artist for the Eleventh Ann Arbor Film Festival in Ann Arbor, Michigan, March 13-18, 1973.
In his most excellent book, “Local DJ”, Peter C. Cavanaugh describes how he got Joe Walsh’s new group to substitute for a cancelled REO Speedwagon at his Wild Wednesday show, in July 1973, which pre-dates Walsh’s earliest appearance in the database, but if this ad for The Brewery in East Lansing, Michigan is accurate, March 15, 1973 may be Walsh’s first Michigan appearance since leaving the James Gang.
Newspaper ad for The Brewery in East Lansing, Michigan, with Joe Walsh’s first Michigan appearance since leaving the James Gang, and with his new band Barnstorm, March 15, 1973.
Newspaper ad for Sha-Na-Na with The Persuasions at Masonic Temple in Detroit, Michigan, March 15, 1973.
An ad by for a new bar called the Library in Rochester Hills, Michigan with the band Cradle appearing March 15-17, 1973. This is about a year later than their last known concert, suggesting that they hung on a bit longer. The text reads, in part, "Featuring the collected works of such best sellers as Rob Roy, Bud Weiser, Jack Daniels, Cutty Sark - all the great Scotch and Irish artists.
"And on the front shelf opening weekend...We've got a great brand of entertainment, the delightful listen and-or dance sound of the All Girl group."
Gary Grimshaw poster for the J. Geils Band with Mark Almond and Focus at the Bowen Field House in Ypsilanti, Michigan, March 9, 1973.
Handbill version of Gary Grimshaw’s poster for the J. Geils Band with Mark Almond and Focus at the Bowen Field House in Ypsilanti, Michigan, March 9, 1973.
Newspaper ad for the J. Geils Band with Mark Almond and Focus at the Bowen Field House in Ypsilanti, Michigan, March 9, 1973.
Poster/handbill by Keith Warren Graphics for Lou Reed’s first Michigan appearance as a solo act, at the Ford Auditorium in Detroit, March 9, 1973, still a few months before the “Berlin” recording sessions and subsequent tour.
A full-page ad in the British music magazine Melody Maker with dates for a UK tour by the Temptations with Jr. Walker & the All Stars starting on March 9, 1973.
An ad for Ted Nugent & the Amboy Dukes at the Lion’s Den in Akron, Ohio, March 9-10, 1973, along with adjacent artwork by Scene newspaper writer and editor Crocus Behemoth, aka David Thomas, later of the bands Rocket from the Tombs and Pere Ubu.
Poster/full-page ad for the Eagles in Amsterdam on March 10, 1973.
Ad for The Woolies at Lizard’s Bar in East Lansing, Michigan, March 12-13, 1973. The Woolies live album has the date of the recordings on the album listed on the back cover as July 7, it looks like unreleased recordings were made on these earlier dates.
A full-page RCA records ad for the second album, “Transformer” by Lou Reed, coinciding with Reed’s first Michigan appearance as a solo act, at the Ford Auditorium in Detroit, March 9, 1973.
Newspaper ad for Lou Reed and Blue Oyster Cult at the Ford Auditorium in Detroit, March 9, 1973.
A full-page Columbia Records ad for the second album by Blue Oyster Cult, coinciding with the group’s appearance opening for Lou Reed at the Ford Auditorium in Detroit, March 9, 1973.
Three nights after David Bowie had performed in Detroit, Pink Floyd arrived for their tenth Michigan appearance, but for their first time at a large arena, with a show at Cobo Arena, March 5, 1973. They had been performing material from their new album throughout the previous year, including at two shows in Detroit at Ford Auditorium in April 1972, but on March 1, 1973, “Dark Side of the Moon” was released and this first leg of the tour was meant to coincide.
Although the music had been honed to perfection, they still had some things to learn with the stadium-sized stage props. An overloaded flash pot nearly took the roof off the arena, slightly injuring some, and more than half of the quadraphonic “Circle of Sound” speakers blew out during the concert.
Record company ad with tour dates for Pink Floyd and a show at Cobo Hall in Detroit, Michigan, March 5, 1973. This was the first of two short US tours for Pink Floyd to promote the new album “Dark Side of the Moon” which had been released on March 1st, just four days before this show. Pink Floyd returned to Detroit on the second tour as well, at Olympia Stadium on June 23.
Not a rock poster, but we couldn’t resist a poster that says “Now you’re going to eat it!” A “Pancake Odyssey” at the I-HOP in East Lansing, Michigan, March 6, 1973.
We have no idea what “Big Mouth Nite” at The Stables in East Lansing, Michigan was all about on March 6, 1973, but it’s a neat little ad by an unknown artist.
Poster for Bob Seger in Valdosta, Georgia on March 8, 1973.
An ad by an unknown artist in the March 9, 1973 issue of the Oakland Observer newspaper at Oakland University announcing the Grand Opening of Uncle Sam’s saloon in Redford, Michigan.
Poster/flyer by Gary Grimshaw for the band Detroit at Mackinac Jack’s in Ann Arbor, Michigan, March 5-7, 1973.
