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This iconic 1968 concert poster, known by collectors as
AOR 2.249, promotes a historic "Hells Angels Dance" held on May 15, 1968, at the Carousel Ballroom in San Francisco.
Concert and Poster Details
Headlining Acts: The event featured Big Brother and the Holding Company (fronted by Janis Joplin), The Youngbloods, and Rejoice.
Visual Design: The artwork was created by Allan "Gut" Terk, a legendary graphic artist and member of the Hells Angels who was also a close friend of the Grateful Dead. The central image features a skeleton, or "death's-head," riding a chopper motorcycle, reflecting the outlaw biker aesthetic of the event's sponsors.
Production: The poster was printed on tan or goldenrod stock and originally cost only one dollar per head for admission. It is considered one of the rarest and most sought-after posters from the Carousel Ballroom's brief history.
Historical Significance
The Venue: The Carousel Ballroom (formerly El Patio) was operated in early 1968 by a collective of bands including the Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane. Just months after this show, in July 1968, Bill Graham took over the venue and renamed it the Fillmore West.
Counterculture Synergy: The event highlights the deep connection between the Hells Angels and the 1960s San Francisco psychedelic rock scene. Janis Joplin was at the height of her popularity with Big Brother at this time, just months before the release of their landmark album, Cheap Thrills. |
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