This original printing was published by Tower Records in 1986. It is part of a calendar and art print series that dates back to the '60s. It's a high-quality lithograph created by artist John Tessler. This particular poster was distributed throughout the USA for the second year in a row in conjunction with Tower's first corporate sponsor for the calendars, Honda scooter.

Illustrator: John Tessler
Year: 1987
Size: 11 ¼" x 37 ¼"
Method: Offset Lithograph
Condition: NM

Tower created these highly collectible posters for most of its long tenure as the "greatest record store in the known world." The exact number of early-year press runs is unknown.

In the '60s and early '70s, some of the posters were one-offs celebrating a concert or created for use in-store for a specific release. Cat Stevens, the Jefferson Airplane and Bob Dylan were just a few of the artists whose images or albums graced early Tower prints.

Starting in around 1975, as Tower grew along with the press runs, the prints evolved into calendars. Eventually, most were produced in cooperation with radio stations, who would pay or trade for printing plate changes which enabled the insertion of their station logo on a certain number of the calendars that would be distributed by their local Towers and through station promotions. They were highly sought-after and turned up in TV shows and movies, such as the music movie "FM" or the long-running TV sitcom "WKRP in Cincinnati."

Artist Frank Carson did virtually all of the art from the mid-'60s into the late '80s. They are quite beautiful, with bountiful hippie chicks nestled into rich deco and art nouveau themes to bountiful contemporary model types surrounded by pop art and symbols of popular culture. Carson disappeared from the Sacramento art scene in the late '80s and a number of different approaches were used to adorn the calendars, from commissioning notable Sacramento fine artists like Tessler and Jerald Silva to acquiring art by holding competitions between Tower store artists and employees.

These art prints and calendars are increasingly rare. They are mementos of the days when Tower's aisles teemed with a record biz vibe as customers, employees and record company salesmen bought, sold and talked music and records. It was a highly enjoyable communal ritual.

Original 1987 Tower Records calendar.

Created by Sacramento artist John Tessler

11.25 x 37.25

In near-mint condition

A great gift!

 

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