The Who Postcard
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The 2nd printing of this handbill is from the back cover of the 1982 Gates of Eden Magazine, Vol. 1, #1
Rick Griffin put his signature psychedelic touch on this poster created to promote a Who gig at the Hollywood Palladium in June of 1969. The Who were coasting on the success of their epic rock opera Tommy at the time of this concert. The grandiosity of that album catapulted them to legendary status, which was cemented when the band took their opus to the stage at Woodstock two months after this show. Griffin's accompanying artwork featured the bright, vivid hues and nearly illegible lettering that he became so notable for, and was striking enough to properly endorse London's most colorful rock 'n' roll personalities.
Rick Griffin grew up in the surfing culture of Southern California, a milieu which had a profound influence on his art. After high school, he worked on the staff of Surfer magazine and created the best-known surfing cartoon character of the time, Murphy. After his move to San Francisco in 1967, be began combining eclectic typefaces and decorative borders with brilliant colors in his concert posters. Griffin's compositions were complex without being illegible. A perfectionist, Griffin often applied dozens of overlays and redrew lettering again and again until he was satisfied. In the early 1970s, Griffin became a born-again Christian and religious themes dominated his work until his death in a motorcycle accident in 1991.