1973 Jerry Garcia & Friends Bo Diddley Hells Angels A Pirate's Ball SS Bay Belle Handbill Near Mint 87

closed on Thursday, May 30, 2024

Final Auction Price
*Final prices include buyers premium
$85.20
Starting bid: $1.00

This super early Jerry Garcia Original Handbill showcases a variation of the "Legion of Mary" lineup in its young infancy. Joining Garcia in the band were keyboardist Merl Saunders, bass player from “Old & In The Way” John Kahn, and the Grateful Dead’s drummer Bill Kreutzmann. This 1973 event was a Hells Angels party called "A Pirate’s Ball" and took place on a ship called the SS Bay Belle.

 

FUN FACT: For Garcia enthusiasts, it's important to note that this show was the very FIRST public performance of Jerry Garcia playing his famous "Wolf" guitar! In recent years, the guitar made headlines when John Mayer used it at CITI Field at a Dead & Company show in 2019. 

 

The boat set sail on the New York City harbor and the 1973 memorable concert also included the legendary Bo Diddley as well as two opening bands. There was also a wedding on board before the performances. For years there was some speculation about whether or not this concert actually happened, however, recently some old archival film footage surfaced and fans have confirmed a full set list played by Garcia and Friends. The Garcia website confirms that this show happened and Jerry played the "Wolf" guitar for the first time. 

 

--CRITICAL DETAILS--
--TITLE:  A Pirate's Ball Handbill
--GRADE: NEAR MINT 87
--PERFORMERS: Jerry Garcia (with Merl Saunders, John Kahn, Bill Kreutzmann) Bo Diddley, Elephants Memory, Mission Mountain Wood Band
--VENUE: SS Bay Belle in NYC Harbor
--CITY: New York NY
--DATE: 9/5/73
--SIZE: 8.5 x 11
--PRINTING: OHB-A; Original Pre-Concert First Printing Handbill


A 20% Buyers Premium will be added to the final hammer price of this lot. 
High resolution HD photos available on request. 
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