Steel Mill Poster Collection (7)

Auction: Spring 2006 Catalog

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Bruce Springsteen

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Steel Mill Poster Collection (7)

With organist Danny Federici, drummer Vini Lopez and others, Bruce Springsteen formed Child in February, 1969. Within months, they learned of another band with the same name, and decided to rename their own band Steel Mill. From its initial performance on November 14, 1969, Steel Mill played to growing acclaim until its last gig on January 23, 1971. Many of the musicians continued to play together under a series of names, culminating in the famous E Street Band. We are proud to offer this outstanding group of seven (7) Steel Mill posters, including: 1.) June 21, 1970, Clearwater Swim Club, Atlantic Highlands, NJ. With over 4000 attending, the crowd for this outdoor evening event was by far the largest that Springsteen had performed for and, by all accounts, the band delivered. Black on medium yellow paper, 8 1/2" x 11". A couple of faint spots and minor dogears, but overall EX; 2.) August 14, 1970, Parking Deck, Richmond, VA. Held under the stars on the upper deck of a parking garage, this is considered a truly legendary performance. Luckily, several remarkable audiotapes are extant, and justly celebrated. Black on grey/blue heavy paper, 11" x 16" and mounted on black paper. A tiny tear at the top edge and a couple of minor creases, but EX-MT overall; 3.) January 18, 1971 D' Scene, Sayreville, NJ., with Godzille as an opening act. An 11-song audiotape is circulating for this show and captures the continuing evolution of the band. Elemental, but classy gold print on gloss black paper, 13 1/4" x 17". A number of tiny creases, and magic marker notations on reverse, EX; 4.) an undated item with an outstanding high-contrast black and silver photo of the group with "Steel Mill" printed in red, 17" x 11". Creases from folding into quarters, but otherwise EX-MT. Has handwritten Suzanne Brunner copyright on reverse; 5.) September 11, 1970, announcing an "End your Summer" concert at the Clearwater Swim Club, Atlantic Highlands, NJ. Following up on their huge success in June, the band was invited back for a second engagement, considered to be one of the band's finest hours. With newly added vocalist Robbin Thompson, Steel Mill followed three opening bands, with the concert running past five hours. The concert would have been even longer, but local police arrived and began making drug busts among the crowd, and a riot ensued. Lights were ordered shut off, and the band was engulfed in the general mayhem. Organist Danny Federici somehow escaped, earning his permanent nickname, "The Phantom". Black on light blue paper, mounted on black paper, 11" x 14 1/2". Some light reddish staining at lower right, and double pinholes at the corners, but still EX overall; 6.) January 2, 1970, Esalen Institute, Big Sur. "Rock & Roll from N.J. - Time's Running Out!!", The band drove all the way to California to play this gig, the first time Springsteen had left the state of New Jersey. This very early and extremely scarce poster is printed black and grey on light blue-green paper, measuring 10 1/4" x 15", mounted and nicely matted to 14 1/2" x 19". A couple of tiny spots and minor scuffs, but overall condition is EX-MT; 7.) October 23, 1970, University of Richmond, with folksinger Jeannie Clarke on the bill. Great geometric design printed in brown on white medium card, with borderlines and dayglo and other colors added by hand, 18" x 26 1/4". A scarce poster, partly handmade and very nicely preserved. Some brownish spotting on the broad margins surrounding a pristine central image, and a 1/4" tear along the right edge. No pinholes, dogears or creases, and an overall rating of EX. Altogether, this is perhaps the most comprehensive Steel Mill collection we've seen - highly recommended.