Spotting Collectibles: Exploring Vintage Concert Posters in WKRP in Cincinnati

If you’re a devoted live performance poster collector, you already know that the joys of the hunt can lead you to sudden locations. One such place is the beloved TV present WKRP in Cincinnati.

While most viewers tuned in for the laughs and hijinks on the fictional radio station, eagle-eyed collectors might need seen one thing particular hidden in the background – live performance posters. In this weblog put up, we’ll take a nostalgic journey by means of the long-lasting present WKRP and discover the fascinating world of unbelievable classic live performance posters that make appearances all through the collection.

WKRP’s Musical Backdrop

WKRP in Cincinnati, which initially aired from 1978 to 1982, was a sitcom set on a fictional radio station in Cincinnati. The present revolved across the quirky workers of the station as they navigated the turbulent waters of the radio business.

While the primary focus was on the characters’ antics, the present’s creators added delicate touches to make the setting really feel genuine, together with using classic live performance posters. Who is aware of in the event that they had been the actual deal or not – I prefer to suppose so, although!

Spotting Concert Posters

If you’re a live performance poster fanatic, you may wish to revisit WKRP with a keener eye. Here are some notable posters that I noticed inside a clip that my sister shared with me. Within a matter of 15 seconds, I noticed (3) posters that I knew I acknowledged. Here are these (3).

First up is that this poster that includes Big Brother and the Holding Company together with Albert King at Shrine Auditorium, referred to as AOR-3.69-OP-1.

This poster was designed by Rick Griffin and Victor Moscoso and is featured in the Art of Rock ebook. This live performance occurred on May 2nd, 1968.

According to GoCollect, this poster has bought 4 instances, twice graded and twice uncooked. The highest it bought was a 6.0 for $2,040 whereas the bottom was a uncooked poster for $115. Currently, there are (6) graded copies graded by CGC, (4) blue labeled and (2) restored purple.

Next up, now we have the poster that includes Bob Dylan & Joan Baez and a Lenny Bruce poster – in one shot!

Let’s speak about Bob Dylan first. This poster is featured in the Art of Rock ebook as nicely, AOR-1.101. Designed by Eric Von Schmidt, this poster was for a live performance that occurred on May 1, 1965. The highest this poster has bought for was a 9.4 graded poster that bought for $8,400 whereas the bottom was an 8.0 that bought for $644. Both had been bought at Psychedelic Art Exchange. There are presently (19) graded, (18) blue and (1) purple restored. Joan states in her memoir about this quick tour:

…we made plans to sing collectively in a brief live performance tour of the States in March and April of 1965. Manny was in cost of the poster, which we each needed to okay. The billing was to be precisely equal, and a design by Eric Von Schmidt was lastly agreed upon which had Bob’s head a bit larger than mine, and my title a bit larger than his…we had been one thing of a phenomenon, packing homes and getting rave opinions….we had been an enormous deal, and we had been taken to satisfy the Beatles.

The different poster took me some time to nail down. I bear in mind the design however couldn’t for the lifetime of me bear in mind the title or venue. It’s Lenny Bruce! From the Bill Graham Series, this poster is known as BG-13.

This live performance poster was for a live performance at Fillmore Auditorium on June 24 & 25, 1966, and was designed by Wes Wilson. Currently, there are (27) graded by CGC, (22) blue labeled, (2) restored purple, and (1) yellow signature.

The highest this poster has bought for was $10k for a 9.2 at Heritage Auction again in April 2022. These stats are all for OP-1, authentic print model 1. There are a number of variations and reprints, so who is aware of which one (whether it is an authentic) is on that wall.

Collecting WKRP Concert Posters

People have totally different gathering types, and perhaps you’ve thought of gathering posters however didn’t know the place to begin. Finding a present that you simply love, and attempting to find the comics, or posters featured – even in the background – could possibly be a enjoyable assortment journey. If you wished to try this with WKRP, not solely are you in for an ideal watch however a troublesome and costly process.

Just taking the typical gross sales pricing on these posters in this small part of (1) episode and also you’re $6,856 only for (3) posters! Still, it’s numerous enjoyable to seek out them and find out about these beautiful psychedelic posters that had been used and wall ornament – as supposed.

Conclusion

WKRP in Cincinnati holds a particular place in the hearts of many for its humor and portrayal of the music and radio business. For live performance poster collectors, it gives an sudden bonus – a glimpse into the colourful world of classic live performance posters.

So, the following time you watch WKRP, pay shut consideration to the background; you may simply uncover a brand new addition to your poster assortment, all whereas having fun with the laughter and nostalgia the present has to supply. Happy gathering!