Throughout the 1950s and ’60s, Italian-American actor and singer Frankie Avalon dominated the screen as a teen heartthrob and idol. Born in 1940, Avalon made his television debut on The Jackie Gleason Show playing the trumpet for the Honeymooners “Christmas Party” sketch. From there, Avalon went on to play with Bobby Rydell in Rocco and the Saints before having 31 charted U.S. Billboard singles between 1958 to late 1962. These singles included “Venus,” which spent five weeks at #1, as well as “Why,” “Just Ask Your Heart,” “I’ll Wait for You,” “Bobby Sox to Stockings,” and “A Boy Without a Girl.”
He later starred in such films as Jamboree, Guns of the Timberland, The Alamo, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Panic in Year Zero!, Operation Bikini, and Drums of Africa. With the ’60s in full swing, Avalon enjoyed a new level of popularity after being paired with Mouseketeer Annette Funicello in Beach Party. The cheerful musical comedy showcased the natural on-screen chemistry between the two and spawned 11 unofficial sequels. Funicello and Avalon both appeared in 9 out of the 11 sequels: Muscle Beach Party, Bikini Beach, Pajama Party, Beach Blanket Bingo, Ski Party, How to Stuff a Wild Bikini, Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine, and Fireball 500.
Between his film career and his chart-topping hits, Avalon was a hot commodity for many decades. Today, posters depicting the full voice singer draw much attention from collectors. Did you know you now have the chance to bring home such a piece? Hake’s Americana & Collectible’s Auction #224 is open and includes a fine selection of concert posters, one of which features the teen idol himself.
Produced by Globe Posters Baltimore, the boxing style concert poster advertises a concert for Sunday, January 24 at the Armory in Scranton, PA. Headliner Frankie Avalon, who was riding the top of the charts with his song “Why” at the time, was joined by Clyde McPhatter, Bobby Rydell, Johnny & The Hurricanes, The Crests, Freddy Cannon, Samme Turner, Linda Laurie, The Isley Brothers, The Clovers, Dick Caruso, Harold Cromer, The Paul Williams Orchestra, and Cliff Richard.
Another fine selection is a California concert poster featuring Rock ’N Roll Hall of Fame inductees Sam Cooke and Bobby Bland with Al Braggs and Eloise Hester. Produced by Tilghman Press, this concert promotes a show at the Richmond Civic Auditorium on “Sat. Nite” January 11. Eleven months to the day after this show Cooke was shot and killed in a dispute at a Los Angeles motel, making this a sought-after collectible.
Also showcased is a 1969 original first print poster advertising a concert with The Who “performing their entire rock-opera, Tommy.” Designed and signed by noted Fillmore East artist David Byrd, this poster promoted the October 25-29 show at Bill Graham’s Fillmore East in New York City. This thin coated stock is featured in The Art of Rock as plate 2.94.
Designed in the unique psychedelic style of the time, an important 1966 concert poster advertising the first New York appearance of Frank Zappa’s band The Mothers of Invention. Along with multiple photos of the band, the poster reads “Believe it or don’t! But you’ll blow your mind when the West Coast’s Mothers Of Invention make you freak out!” The poster promoted the bands appearance at Balloon Farm 23 Saint Marks Place on November 23-26.
Bidding on these memorable concert posters, along with the additional collectibles featured in Auction #224, have already begun and closes on July 10-12, 2018. Head over to hakes.com to get stared on bidding today!
