Music Posters
Advertising and graphic art really took off in the 1960s. It was the heyday for music posters, especially in the latter part of the decade when psychedelic, swirling colors were stuck to thousands of teenage bedroom walls. Everyone wanted a reminder of their guitar heroes or their favorite gigs. These posters are still popular today as each generation makes their bedroom a shrine to their music gods.
As with all memorabilia surrounding popular culture, some music posters have become collector's items, particularly if they mark a significant event or if the artwork is prized. Some posters come out as limited editions that are signed by the artist and numbered, just like print makers have always done. These include posters of punk veterans, The Pixies and industrial rock band, Nine Inch Nails.
Promotional items serve different purposes. Some music posters are there to commemorate landmark tours or gigs. Others are taken from album covers and tie in with other merchandise, such as T-shirts. One poster has every album cover for The Beatles, making a colorful display. Certain rock venues are sacred and remembered on posters. An example is the image of The Ramones stood outside the CBGBs club in New York. The venue was the famous launch pad of many punk bands in the 1980s.
Posters come in all shapes, sizes and materials and there are many companies supplying them for all musical tastes. Textile Poster Flags are popular, screen printed on a silky material. Pre-Framed poster prints look very professional and are glazed with plexiglass. If it's a big room, then there are giant posters to fill it, measuring 150 x 100cm.
Some people like to have posters on the back of the door and these door posters measure 158 x 53cm. Black Light Posters are posters with a black background and are very stylish, especially against bold lettering. Matted Prints are arty looking with a matt finish. For something more durable, Canvas Prints are made of woven canvas material and use fade resistant ink.
The most famous rock festival in history, the original Woodstock, produced a number of iconic music posters. The most familiar one is of the festival logo; a dove perched on the fretboard of a guitar. Other posters show Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix playing there. Tastes in music will evolve but music posters will always be in demand by the fans and a way to express their devotion.