Tuten, Randy (Taj Mahal)

Original Concert Poster: Taj Mahal at Memorial Auditorium, Stanford University (January 22, 1973)

San Francisco, CA: Silver Moon Studios, 1973. First Edition. Single Sheet. Signed by artist Randy Tuten. This poster (appx. 12 7/8" x 20") promotes a concert by blues musician Taj Mahal (b. Henry St. Claire Fredericks Jr., 1942), and folk/blues ensemble Joy of Cooking (Toni Brown, Terry Garthwaite, David Garthwaite, Fritz Kasten, and Ron Wilson) at Stanford University’s Memorial Auditorium on January 22, 1973. With a mix of rock, blues, folk, and jazz, Berkeley-based Joy of Cooking identified with the hippie counterculture featuring lyrics reflecting the beliefs and causes supported by the movement. Taj Mahal blends global musical styles like Caribbean, African, Indian, and Hawaiian sounds, with the classic blues sound of the United States to create a unique fusion. He is still performing today at the age of 82. This poster is designed by the well-known Berkeley printmaker Randy Tuten (b. 1946), a protégé of the legendary Bill Graham. After countless rejections, the then-23-year-old artist took his portfolio to the Fillmore in 1969 where Bill Graham immediately hired him. Inspired by the likes of Stanley Mouse, Alton Kelley, and Rick Griffin in the San Francisco music scene, Tuten’s style was more akin to the commercial advertising culture of informational simplicity rather than political messaging or emotional depth. Aside from a couple years during which he recovered from a stroke, Tuten spent over five decades designing posters for The Fillmore and to this day still designs posters and handbills for concerts and events in the San Francisco area and particularly for UC-Berkeley. Single Sheet: First Edition. Poster is in very fine condition with crisp edges and clean recto & verso. This item is too delicate to be rolled & must be shipped flat to assure no damage, therefore an extra handling fee of $5.00 will be required. Very Fine. [Item #6638]

Price: $125.00