Lot #8242

[Janis Joplin] Big Brother and The Holding Company 1966 ‘Zenefit’ Concert Contract

Description

Concert contract for Big Brother and the Holding Company, one page, 8.5 x 11, November 12, 1966. Carbon or ‘Leader’s Copy’ of an American Federation of Musicians casual contract blank originally executed on behalf of the band by bassist Peter Albin and by a representative of the Zen Center, with Albin asserting that the band agrees to play a four-hour concert at the Avalon Ballroom in San Francisco, California, on November 13, 1966, for a sum of $214.50. Albin adds the names of his fellow bandmates below—Janis Joplin, Sam Andrew, James Gurley, and Dave Getz. In fine condition.

This contract was for the ‘Zenefit’ benefit show that was held at the Avalon Ballroom to gather financial support for the Zen Mountain Center. The concert was a proverbial San Francisco sound show and was headlined by the Grateful Dead, Big Brother and The Holding Company, and the Quicksilver Messenger Service. The ‘Zenefit’ occurred during the very early days of Big Brother; the band played their first show in January 1966 and, at the time of this performance, Joplin had only been in the group for four months. Albin formed Big Brother with guitarist Sam Andrew, and was considered the group’s ‘leader,’ negotiating and signing early contracts on their behalf.

Auction Info

• Auction Title: Marvels of Modern Music
• Dates: #648 - Ended November 17, 2022