The Art of Rock

Electric, outrageous, erotic, rebellious--rock concert posters are the visual equivalent of the music they advertise. The Art of Rock traces the history of this energizing art form from the bold letterpress posters advertising Elvis's early shows, through the multicolored fantasies of the psychedelic era, to the avant-garde collages of new wave and punk.

More than 1,500 posters and other graphics--tickets, backstage passes, buttons, handbills--are presented in their original blazing color (or their stark black and white, as the case may be). The text features dozens of exclusive interviews with musicians, concert promoters, and the poster artists themselves, including legends like Stanley Mouse, Alton Kelley, or Wes Wilson--who also designed the cover of this book.

A visual journey through thirty years of rock and roll, as well as a valuable reference, The Art of Rock is an essential volume for every music lover (and art lover).

The best-selling visual history of the rock concert poster, now available at an irresistible price

Paul Grushkin is an acknowledged expert in rock merchandise. He is the author and co-author of four best-selling rock & roll histories, collectively selling over one million copies. He lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.

"Fascinating and accessible . . . useful for both the scholar and the fan"
--New York Times

"A literate, loving look at the poster's evolution"
--Chicago Tribune

"It flat-out rocks."
--Newsweek

"Widely considered the genre's original bible."
--San Francisco Chronicle

"[This] exhaustively researched compilation brings together more than thirty years' worth of the best and brightest rock posters and art work."
--Rolling Stone

"There really wasn't such a thing as a rock poster expert until Paul Grushkin established himself as one with his stellar . . . Art of Rock"
--CMJ New Music Monthly

"Rock 'n' roll is here to stay, and the old posters advertising live shows seem to be sticking around too."--The Wall Street Journal