Norman Orr's patient attention to detail was honed in his youth. He learned from his work at a chicken ranch, "... it's about craftsmanship and skill... there was no such thing as instant gratification." BG251 was a complex arrangement headlining Van Morrison with Captain Beefheart at the Fillmore West.
The handbill was only printed once before the concert. It presents a calendar of upcoming Bill Graham events on the reverse and measures 4 11/16" x 7".
There were also some pre-concert postcard mailers printed that were conjoined with the BG252 image (see BG251/252). They measure 7" x 9 1/4".
Barely out of high school when the psychedelic scene rocked San Francisco, Orr aspired to become a Fillmore poster artist. Hired in 1970 by Bill Graham's art director, Pat Hanks, many of his first posters featured detailed lettering on rich colorways and reflected the influence of artists Kelly, Mouse and Griffin. Orr's style evolved to include designs featuring female nudes and photographs combined with complex lettering and backgrounds. His posters are compelling artwork, a mixture of pure public relations and religious or political themes done in jewel-like tones.