BG165 marked the triumphant return of Janis Joplin to San Francisco. Joplin's personality transcended the confines of Big Brother & the Holding Co., and, on her way to a successful if brief solo career, she became one of the first superstars to emerge from California's counter-culture. Bill Graham didn't care for this Tuten poster because he couldn't "... read my &$%@ poster!"
The 1st printing poster is characterized by the white inner band of the juke box around the Janis Joplin image. It has a black background, was printed before the concert, and measures 14 1/8" x 21".
The 2nd printing poster also has a black background which ranges to dark blue, but this post-concert reprint is characterized by a yellow inner juke box band. It measures 14 1/4" x 20 7/8".
Randy Tuten is the only poster artist whose work spans five decades of design for The Fillmore. The 23 year-old San Francisco native was hired by Bill Graham in January, 1969, and their mutual taste for traditional, readable design style led to a long-lasting work relationship. Although influenced by the compositions of "Fillmore Five" artists Mouse, Kelley and Griffin, Tuten avoided "... Heavy meaning in my posters." Tuten's style reflected his skill as a draftsman, and his designs evolved into an eclectic mix of graphic imagery, lettering and photographs.