David Byrd
Classic Theatre and Rock & Roll Drawings from the 60s and 70s
David Byrd created some of the most memorable Classic Theatre and Rock and Roll images from the 1960s and 70s. This is the first time that these rare original one of a kind drawings have been available for sale since they were first created over 30 years ago. These drawings are the actual drawings that were presented for approval of the final artwork. David created ALL of the Art for Bill Graham’s Fillmore East, including their Program covers and Rock posters, the art for Jimi Hendrix’s first Fillmore East appearance, The Rolling Stones 1969 World Tour art, The Who’s Performance of Tommy at the New York Metropolitan Opera House and The Fillmore, and The Grateful Dead Swell Dance Concert to name only a few. He also created the poster art for the original location of the 1969 Woodstock music festival . His memorable images were also used for classic Broadway shows like Godspell, Follies and Jesus Christ Superstar to mention only a few. These museum quality drawings are rarely made available for sale, they are not only wonderful rare works of art, but are truly historically important works in the field of Theatre and Rock and Roll collecting. All drawings have been framed with archival double matting. Again, this is the first time that you can actually purchase one of the original sketches that were created for these historical images.
We will indicate as soon as possible that a drawing is sold on this website. They are selling at a fast pace and we suggest that you purchase your favorite as soon as possible, as to avoid disappointment because of a previous sale. These are unique one of a kind drawings and once a particular drawing sells, there are no others that are available.
All of these extremely rare drawings are signed and dated and are the original presentation drawings that were created by David Byrd for the approval of the final poster or program cover artwork. David's poster art is in many museum collections, including : The Louvre, in Paris, Victoria & Albert in London, The Museum of Modern Art in New York and The Smithsonian in Washington, DC.
Click on the small images to see an enlarged view.
Hendrix
SOLD SOLD
SOLD Original 1969 drawing for Hendrix Press Kit and Tour ...You have probably heard that Jimi was so impressed with the art David created for his first appearance at the Fillmore East. That he asked David to create the art for his press kit, which Jimi later used for his Spring 1969 concert tour. This is the actual drawing that was given to Jimi to approve that artwork.. Poster shown not for sale and is just to reference the poster this drawing was created for.
Original 1969 drawing of the nude figures that appear on the Spring 1969 Hendrix concert poster (featured above) David Byrd referred to these women as "Moon Maidens" Pencil on iridescent tracing paper. Matted with it's original "Electric Purple" matt. drawing measures 7 x 8" matt measures 13 x 14".
Original Painting on acetate of Jimi painted in 2006 by David Byrd. This original painting was based on David's 1968 drawing of the very first version for Jimi's first Fillmore East appearance. (See drawing on top of page) When Bill Graham decided to use the now famous orange version with all three members of the Experience, this poster was never created.. UNTIL NOW. We asked David if he could create an original painting based on that first drawing. This was painted the same exact way that David painted the other Hendrix poster art. It is painted on the back side of a black line film positive acetate. You can see on the image at right the painstaking time it must have taken to create all of the layers of paint needed to create this rare work of art. Please call us with any questions that you have regarding this truly unique one of a kind painting by Rock and Roll Illustrator David Byrd.
Original Color pencil Sketch created in 2006 by David Byrd prior to working on the finished painting featured above that was based on Davids 1968 drawing for Jimi's very first Fillmore East concert. A great original color drawing to add to your collection. 8.5 x 11"
* See bottom of Page for signed and numbered limited edition archival prints including Jimi Hendrix
Fillmore East
Program cover 1969, original drawing, framed 22x18" SOLD Program cover 1970, original drawing, framed 22x18" SOLD
Program cover 1971, original drawing, framed 22x17"
* See bottom of Page for signed and numbered limited edition archival print
Jefferson Airplane (Fillmore East)
NFS 1968 Original color water color painting that was used for the 2nd Fillmore East poster ever created. This is the actual art that was use to produce the poster and is an extremely rare item. David placed Letraset type on his watercolor painting to include the necessary information. The ticket prices were added later in the space on the bottom when the poster was printed. Very few original final color art paintings of this nature become available for sale today, we are very privileged to have this rare work in our private collection. Watercolor on board, board measures 26.5 x 15.25".
Traffic (Fillmore East)
The original pencil and paint drawing used to show the figures in the very first Fillmore East poster from 1968. Irregular shaped tracing paper measures 11x9" Matt opening 14 x 11" Paper shows age and has a slight tear (Hey, it's42 years old). Poster shown not for sale and is just to reference the poster this drawing was created for.
The Who
David recalled that Bill Graham called him to say that he had booked The Who to perform their rock opera, TOMMY, at the Metropolitan Opera, where no Pop act had ever performed. David had only three days to create a poster for their historic performance. For the centerpiece art, he created a Busby Berkley Pinball look surrounded by his famous Deco borders. (He even refers to that in a note he wrote on the centerpiece drawing)
Tommy Figure, original drawing, framed 21x16" SOLD Tommy poster center piece, original drawing, framed 17x17"
SOLD Tommy full poster sketch, original drawing, framed 22x18" Tommy rare concept sketch, original drawing, framed 22x19"
Tommy Fillmore East, original drawing, framed 20x19 Tommy Pinball Lady, original drawing, framed 20x16
SOLD Tommy Acid Queen 1970 Grammy award for art framed 22x19"
The Grateful Dead
SOLD
SOLD Swell Dance figures, original drawing, framed 22x24
SOLD
Rolling Stones
1969 World Tour original concept drawing, This was the very first version that was presented in 1969 for the now famous poster for the Stones 69 World Tour. framed 24x20
SOLD The above image is the original drawing for the 1969 Rolling Stones world tour. The poster is a classic image in Rock and Roll history. The Stones just recently re-released a print of it in their new 40th anniversary boxed set of "Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out". This original 1969 drawing is complete and shows the "Naked woman" figure with the background composition of the poster. This full composition of the figure and the background was thought to have been lost. David went through his archives and to his surprise found this incredible drawing that shows the figure and the background treatment. To have and original 1969 drawing like this that shows a full version of one of the most classic Rock and Roll concert tours of the Stones is a collectors dream come true.
1969 Stones World Tour "Naked Lady", original drawing with original poster, framed 30x40"
Kiss
SOLD Ace Frehley puzzle 1978, original drawing, framed 24x22" SOLD Paul 1978 Solo Poster Detail
SOLD Peter 1978 Detail SOLD Gene 1978 Detail
Woodstock
SOLD 1969 original Woodstock location, drawing, framed 18x14"
A note about the WOODSTOCK Drawing: In the spring of 1969, Woodstock Ventures asked David to create a poster for a large outdoor concert they were planning in WallKill, New York to be called Woodstock. After the poster was printed, the town of Wallkill had the permit for the concert revoked and it was moved to the town of White Lake on Max Yasgurs farm. Making any printed material on the Wallkill location very rare. The original poster by David became a very hard to fine collectors item. This original drawing for the approval of that rare poster is an incredible find.
* See bottom of Page for signed and numbered limited edition archival print
Beacon Theatre 1974 Concert logo
SOLD Original presentation drawing for Concert series at The Beacon Theatre in New York
Godspell
SOLD
Godspell Drawing 2
SOLD image 14 x 13.25" slight tear in drawing by nose see detail image
Jesus Christ Superstar
Original concept drawing with detail notations, framed with original poster 38x24
The Magic Show
SOLD Wonderful 1974 drawing for "The Magic Show" with Doug Henning. Pencil on tracing paper measures a large 23 x 16" See detail images for close up of intricate pencil work.
Follies
Drawing 1 is an Elegant full figure version of the famous Follies image. In this 1970 drawing #1 the figure holds a cracked mirror which forms the "O" in Follies, and shows the look of the final version with the crack running through the face. A wonderful drawing
Drawing 2 is another beautiful 1970 full figure version of the famous Follies image. The Art Deco detail in this elegant drawing is rendered beautifully.
Drawing 1 SOLD Drawing 2 SOLD
Concept drawing 1, framed 28x22" Concept drawing 2, framed 28x22"
Detail Detail
First version Head sketch
SOLD Head concept with notations, original drawing, framed 16x14" 1970 Very first version of the famous Final Follies Head concept. With many notations written by David Byrd, including one that refers to the image being based on Marlene (Dietrich) in Shanghai Express, which has been suggested by some art historians, but it is here that David has actually confirmed that fact. A wonderful historically important small sketch.
Radio City Music Hall
Radio City 1974 Deco Expo, original drawing, framed 26x22
Billie Holiday
Billie and Prez, original drawing, framed 24x21"
Casablanca Records
SOLD Casablanca Records logo concept, original drawing, framed 21x21"
SIGNED and NUMBERED LIMITED EDITION IMAGES:
Jimi Hendrix color art on canvas
This exquisite work of art is based on David's original painting created in 2006, that was in turn based on his original 1968 concept sketch for Jimi's very first Fillmore East appearance. It is printed on Canvas using Archival pigments that will last over 100 years. It is published exclusively by our gallery and is only available through us. Click on the detail images and you can see the remarkable quality and color of this wonderful signed image. The image on canvas measures a large 32 x 21" and it comes with a 3" white canvas border on each side, making the total canvas size an impressive 38"x27". Call or e-mail for prices and availability.
Jimi Hendrix first Fillmore East appearance
Signed and Numbered by artist David Byrd, this is a limited edition of only 200 printed with archival inks on watercolor paper. Printed directly from David Byrd's two original drawings for Jimi's very first Fillmore East appearance.
Fillmore East Program Covers
Signed and Numbered by artist David Byrd, this is a limited edition of only 200 printed with archival inks on watercolor paper. All three years of the Fillmore East programs are together in one work of art. Printed directly from David Byrd's original drawings for the Fillmore East program covers.
Original Woodstock 1969 Art
Signed and Numbered by artist David Byrd, this is a limited edition of only 200 printed with archival inks on watercolor paper. Printed directly from David Byrd's original drawing for the first location of the 1969 Woodstock Festival.
Please call 631-726-2523 or e-mail info@ARDTgallery.com for prices and availability
other artists represented:
Ceravolo Charles Ford Sanseviero Kim Simmonds Robin Morris Joe Doyle Robert Roesch CMC Matt Straub
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