MC5 – Near Mint “Black to Comm” 1967 Grande Ballroom Concert Poster
A rare first printing concert poster for the MC5, Apostles, East Side Orphans and Spikedrivers at Detroit’s Grande Ballroom in September 1967, with artwork by Gary Grimshaw, who has signed this example at the bottom in pencil.
In superb near mint and unused condition, there is a barely visible 1/4″ edge tear on the right, but this poster, printed on thin paper, is otherwise without significant flaws. 13 3/4” x 21 3/4”. This is number RGP-670929 in the Grande Ballroom/Russ Gibb poster series. The only example we’ve had.
Dennis Thompson of the MC5 noted “Black To Comm” was when we were playing the Grande Ballroom, we used to let bands – a lot of bands would use our equipment, and we would say, “F#ck you, if you break it, we told ya… “black to comm.” Quite simply, on the P.A. amp, “Comm” is commonly referred to as the negative ground, and the “Black” was the wire… clear from the power source, right? And that’s exactly what it was, it’s like, “Okay, just be sure you put the black wire into the comm connection here,” you know what I mean? “if we trip over it and knock it out again” – because there was all these wires strewn across the stage.”
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