Jefferson Airplane Poster
Bill Graham never really considered himself a rock and roll fan. His real love was the Latin music he'd grown up listening and dancing to in his old neighborhood in New York City. BG171 advertised shows Graham could really enjoy: San Francisco favorites Jefferson Airplane and the Grateful Dead on the same bill with Cuban percussionist/bandleader Mongo Santamaria. Randy Tuten was able to work some appropriate transportation imagery into the artwork.
The 1st printing poster has a blue background and does not display a "W" after the ticket outlets strip like the reprint. It was printed before the concert and measures 14 1/16" x 20 7/8".
The post-concert 2nd printing poster is identified by a gray background as well as the "W" that is etched into the poster at the end of the ticket outlets strip after the word "Music". It measures 14" x 21".
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.