A historic and rare handbill for the San Francisco Mime Troupe benefit concert known as “Appeal III,” held at the Fillmore Auditorium on January 14, 1966.

The Mime Troupe had been arrested for performing in San Francisco parks, and their business manager, Bill Graham, organized a series of 3 benefit concerts to pay for their legal defense. The success of this third show marked the end of Bill Graham’s employment with the Mime Troupe–and the beginning of his career as a concert promoter, having been impressed with both the bands and their audiences. This show featured the Grateful Dead, who had changed their name from The Warlocks less than a month prior–in fact, the review of the December ’65 second Mime Troupe Benefit reprinted here reviews them as The Warlocks (The handbill offered here is the only one ever to refer to them by both names.) Also on the bill was The Great Society, who’s lead singer, Grace Slick, later joined the Jefferson Airplane, and the vastly underrated Mystery Trend. Making this all the more special is the provenance of this handbill, which comes from the collection of Ralph J. Gleason, legendary S.F. Chronicle music critic, and the author of the review of the Mime Troupe Appeal II reprinted on this handbill. Gleason (1917-1975;) one of the most influential jazz and pop music critics of all time, was a central figure in the San Francisco rock scene; he helped organize the Monterey Pop Festival, and co-founded Rolling Stone magazine. Bill Graham himself credited Gleason with suggesting the Fillmore Auditorium to him as a site for concerts, while the Family Dog met with Gleason at his home to discuss their idea to stage dance concerts, prior to their first show at the Longshoreman’s Hall.

This is a unique opportunity to obtain this handbill from the personal collection of one of the key figures of the San Francisco Scene. 6 1/4″ x 9 1/2″; in Very Good + condition, with some creasing and a 1/4″ edge tear on the left side. On request, we will gladly provide a certificate of authenticity stating that this poster came from the Ralph J. Gleason Collection .