Collection Guide
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Singer (David) Poster collection
MS.340
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Contributing Institution:
University of California, Santa Cruz
Title: David Singer Poster collection
Creator:
Singer, David, 1941-
Identifier/Call Number: MS.340
Physical Description:
3 Linear Feet
1 oversize flat
Date (inclusive): 1969-1971
Abstract: San Francisco rock concert posters
produced by David Singer for promoter Bill Graham.
Language of Material:
English
Collection open for research. Advance notice is required for access.
Copyright for the items in this collection is owned by the creators and their heirs.
Reproduction or distribution of any work protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair
use requires permission from the copyright owner. It is the responsibility of the user to
determine whether a use is fair use, and to obtain any necessary permissions. For more
information see UCSC Special Collections and Archives policy on Reproduction and Use.
David Singer Poster Collection. MS 340. Special Collections and Archives, University
Library, University of California, Santa Cruz.
Purchase.
David Singer was a prolific poster artist during the height of the psychedelic era in San
Francisco, producing more posters for promoter Bill Graham than any other artist. According
to the biography at Wolfgang's Vault, "Singer grew up in Pennsylvania Dutch country, where
he was exposed to antiques and folk art. Another influence on his work was his childhood
interest in geometric forms. Although Singer had little formal training in art, his polished
presentation and prodigious output made him one of the most respected poster artists
emerging from San Francisco in the 1960s. Initially uninterested in making posters, Singer
assembled a portfolio of collages that he envisioned as 'greeting cards or something.' His
work was rejected by most of the publishers in San Francisco but gained immediate interest
from Bill Graham, the dance-concert promoter at the Fillmore Auditorium. During his Fillmore
era, from 1969-1971, Singer created more posters for Graham than any other artist, most
notably the double-size final poster evoking the Fillmore experience.
Even after the Fillmore closed in 1971, Singer continued to create posters commemorating
special events sponsored by Graham. To a great extent, Singer was a transitional rock-poster
artist; his works possessed a refinement and polish that would dominate the 1970s rock
world. During that decade, he produced significant posters for the Rolling Stones, the Who
and Santana. Singer's posters are notable for his use of collage, incorporating thousands of
images clipped from magazines spanning several decades. He developed a format that included
a stunning variety of lettering styles, applying them in close relation to the theme or
subject of a poster."
Scope and Content of Collection
This series contains a complete signed set of David Singer's posters for rock promoter Bill
Graham, as well as a number of unsigned duplicates and a couple gallery posters advertising
a show of Singer's work. The signed set has been sorted chronologically as well as by the
Bill Graham Production ("BG") number on the poster. Randy Tuten is credited with the design
of BG-196, using a collage by Singer. Wilfred Satty is co-credited on posters BG-235, BG-244
and BG-271. Jim Marshall is credited for the photo used on BG-272.
The contents list gives the music groups and venues, with the dates referring to the
earliest date of the concert run(s) advertised.
Posters have been arranged chronologically.
Processed by Mathew E. Simpson in 2011. EAD encoded finding aid by Mathew E. Simpson.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Printed ephemera
Posters, American -- California -- San
Francisco Bay Area
Rock music -- Posters