David Singer Poster collection, 1969-1971

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Summary

Creators:
Singer, David, 1941-
Abstract:
San Francisco rock concert posters produced by David Singer for promoter Bill Graham.
Extent:
3 Linear Feet 1 oversize flat
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

David Singer Poster Collection. MS 340. Special Collections and Archives, University Library, University of California, Santa Cruz.

Background

Scope and content:

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.

Biographical / historical:

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."

Acquisition information:
Purchase.
Processing information:

Processed by Mathew E. Simpson in 2011. EAD encoded finding aid by Mathew E. Simpson.

Arrangement:

Posters have been arranged chronologically.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection open for research. Advance notice is required for access.

Terms of 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.

Preferred citation:

David Singer Poster Collection. MS 340. Special Collections and Archives, University Library, University of California, Santa Cruz.

Location of this collection:
Special Collections and Archives, University Library
1156 High Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95064, US
Contact:
(831) 459-2547
speccoll@library.ucsc.edu
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