Introduction
Known as FD-2 in the Family Dog numbered series, this rare 1966 Family Dog Fillmore Concert Poster by legendary artists Wes Wilson and Chet Helms is considered an 800-pound gorilla among collectors. This vibrant silkscreen artwork captures the essence of the 1960s counterculture movement with its bold graphic design and striking imagery. This poster is a must-have for any fan of psychedelic art or music, and it is a testament to the enduring legacy of the Family Dog and the Fillmore Auditorium.
Key Features
- Artist: Wes Wilson
- Year: 1966
- Edition: FD-2 RP-2
- Numbering: NA
- Signature: NA
- Dimensions: 14"x20"
- Material: Original Screen Print
- Venue: The Fillmore Auditorium
The Artist: Wes Wilson
Wilson wasn't your average graphic designer. He was a revolutionary force, taking the humble concert poster and transforming it into an electrifying canvas of counterculture rebellion and mind-bending visuals. Born in 1937 in Sacramento, California, Wilson's artistic journey started with philosophy and religion studies, but his true calling whispered in the vibrant streets of San Francisco in the mid-1960s.
He stumbled upon a copy of a poster by the Viennese Secessionist artist, Alfred Roller, and something clicked. Roller's bold lettering and intricate patterns resonated deeply with Wilson, who began experimenting with his own typographic alchemy. This newfound passion, coupled with the burgeoning psychedelic rock scene, became the perfect recipe for his artistic explosion.
Enter Bill Graham, the legendary rock promoter, who commissioned Wilson to design posters for his Fillmore Auditorium. This was where Wilson's genius truly took flight. He channeled the pulsating energy of bands like the Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane, translating their music into visual vortexes of swirling colors, distorted figures, and cryptic symbols.
Wilson's posters weren't just advertisements; they were invitations to a different dimension. They were windows into the kaleidoscopic world of the Haight-Ashbury scene, where free love, mind-expansion, and questioning authority were the anthems. His iconic imagery, like the melting clock face for Jefferson Airplane's "Surrealistic Pillow" or the skeletal hand grasping a flower for the Grateful Dead's "Skull & Roses," became instantly recognizable and forever etched in rock poster history.
But Wilson wasn't a one-trick pony. He also delved into album covers, creating masterpieces for bands like the Tubes and The Electric Prunes. His art wasn't confined to music either; he designed logos, flyers, and even clothing, leaving his psychedelic stamp on every medium he touched.
Sadly, Wilson passed away in 2020, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire generations of artists. His posters are not just nostalgic relics; they're vibrant testaments to a time when music and art collided to create a cultural revolution. Owning a Wes Wilson piece is like owning a piece of that revolution, a portal back to a time when anything seemed possible, and the only limit was your imagination.
So, next time you see a mind-bending concert poster, take a moment to appreciate the genius of Wes Wilson, the man who dared to paint the sounds of a generation and forever changed the way we see music.
The Bands:
The Great! Society
- Featuring Grace Slick, who later became a prominent member of Jefferson Airplane
- Known for their psychedelic rock sound and counterculture anthems
- Released the single "Somebody to Love," penned by Darby Slick, Grace Slick's brother-in-law, which became a hit for Jefferson Airplane
- Performed the song "White Rabbit," written by Grace Slick while in The Great! Society, which became a psychedelic rock classic
The Grass Roots
- Undergoing personnel changes in their early days
- Released one single, a cover of Bob Dylan's "Ballad of a Thin Man" from "Highway 61 Revisited," titled "Mr.Jones (A Ballad of a Thin Man)"
- Achieved national Top 30 success with their song "Where Were You When I Needed You"
- Continued to experience success throughout the next five years
Big Brother & The Holding Company
- Janis Joplin was still four months away from joining the band
- Featured the twin guitar attacks of Sam Andrew and James Gurley, attracting attention in the Bay Area
- Managed by Chet Helms, the founder of Family Dog
- Made their debut appearance on any Family Dog or Bill Graham concert poster
Quicksilver Messenger Service
- A staple of the San Francisco music scene
- Known for their improvisational style and blend of rock, blues, and psychedelic influences
- Released their debut album, "Quicksilver Messenger Service," in 1965
- Gained widespread recognition and became a prominent act in the psychedelic rock movement
The Venue: The Filmore Auditorium
The Fillmore Auditorium was a legendary venue that played a pivotal role in shaping the vibrant counterculture movement of the 1960s. Located in San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury district, the Fillmore became a beacon for the city's burgeoning psychedelic rock scene, hosting countless iconic performances by some of the most influential bands of the era.
Established in 1965 by legendary rock promoter Bill Graham, the Fillmore was a former movie theater transformed into a pulsating hub of musical energy. Its intimate atmosphere, with a capacity of just over 2,500, created an electrifying connection between the performers and the audience, fostering a sense of community and shared experience that resonated deeply with the counterculture ethos.
The Fillmore's roster of performers was a who's who of 1960s rock legends. From the psychedelic pioneers of Jefferson Airplane and the Grateful Dead to the blues maestros of Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf, the Fillmore stage hosted a diverse array of talent that reflected the era's eclectic and rebellious spirit.
The Fillmore's impact extended beyond its musical offerings. The venue became a cultural epicenter, hosting poetry readings, political rallies, and other events that fueled the social and political movements of the time. It was a place where activism and art converged, where music and free expression reigned supreme.