Southern California rock concert ephemera collection, 1975-2005, bulk 1985-1995

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Summary

Abstract:
The Southern California rock concert ephemera collection consists of flyers, handbills, posters, photographs, and concert tickets promoting Southern California venues and bands from the mid-1970s to 2005 -- with the bulk of the material spanning the 1980s and early 1990s. The majority of the flyers are printed on standard sized sheets of various colors with several incorporating pre-computer cut and paste graphics alongside rubber-stamped elements. The collection also includes 72 half-sheet handbills for a variety of bands and venues outside of the Hollywood and Sunset strip scenes, including flyers for shows at Raincross Square in Riverside, the Crescendo in Anaheim, Goldenwest Ballroom in Norwalk, and Cypress College in northern Orange County. Another flyer in the collection does not actually promote a band, but solicits talent from the community. The flyer reads: "glam guitarist wanted" and further narrows the field to those whose "influences include Crue, Poison, Kiss and Sputnik." This flyer likely dates from the rise of glam or hair metal in the early 1980s.
Extent:
1.77 Linear Feet 1 box
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Box/folder no. or item name], Southern California Rock and Hair Metal Concert Flyers, Collection no. 7091, Regional History Collection, Special Collections, USC Libraries, University of Southern California

Background

Scope and content:

A collection of more than 250 flyers, handbills, and small posters; five larger posters measuring approximately 11" x 17"; a half dozen concert tickets; and six photos of various bands -- all promoting Southern California venues and bands from the mid-1970s to 2005.

Biographical / historical:

Particularly noteworthy in the collection are the 14 flyers with set lists written on verso for performances by the band Eulogy in the late 1970s. The sheets are hastily written and edged with tape used to affix the order of songs being played to the floor so all the band members could see. On one flyer, the fan who collected them noted: "second set song sheet from Brea Mall gig - but they had to quit after 'You are Steppin in My World' because of the PA system not working right." Formed in the late 1970s, Eulogy won a sizeable local following in Los Angeles, playing with bands such as The Police, Van Halen, The Runaways, Quiet Riot, Rick Derringer, Eddie Money, and The Motels. Mainstream success eluded Eulogy and a few years later, original members Rusty Anderson and Dirk Van Tatenhove reformed the band as Soldier. Anderson has since worked with an extensive list of artists and, since 2001, has been the lead guitarist for Sir Paul McCartney.

Acquisition information:
Purchased from Johnson Rare Books and Archives, May 1, 2019.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Advance notice required for access.

Terms of access:

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Manuscripts Librarian. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.

Preferred citation:

[Box/folder no. or item name], Southern California Rock and Hair Metal Concert Flyers, Collection no. 7091, Regional History Collection, Special Collections, USC Libraries, University of Southern California

Location of this collection:
Special Collections
Doheny Memorial Library, Room 209
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0182, US
Contact:
(213) 740-5900
specol@usc.edu
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