An impressive set of three original photos of the Rainbow Theatre in London, England, prior to opening its doors in November of 1971. The photos measures 11 x 14 inches and are mounted to foam core. They show moderate signs of ageing and storage and are in overall very good condition. This lot comes directly from the estate of John H. Morris who launched his career as a theatrical producer, working with the likes of Peter Cook, John Cleese, and Cass Elliot. In July of 1967, during "the summer of love", Morris produced his first rock and roll concert, a free show in Toronto, Canada's City Hall Square, featuring Jefferson Airplane and Grateful Dead. In Toronto, John Morris and Joshua White introduced elaborate theatrical staging to the world of rock and roll, including the first psychedelic light show projected from behind a giant screen, which became the birth of the infamous Joshua Light Show. After convincing Bill Graham to open a Fillmore theatre in New York - where Morris would become the Managing Director - and co-producing the first European concert tours for Jefferson Airplane and The Doors, Morris became the production manager for the 1969 Woodstock Festival, booking most of the bands. He was the principal Master of Ceremonies and is recognized as "the voice" of Woodstock, having made the now famous announcement, "it's a free concert from now on." After moving to England in 1970, Morris launched London's first rock & roll theatre, The Rainbow, with The Who as its opening act, on November 4, 1971. He continued to produce rock and roll events throughout Europe and the United States until 1990, including 19 Grateful Dead concerts; the premier European tour of Paul and Linda McCartney's post-Beatles band, Wings; and tours with Ike and Tina Turner, Chuck Berry, New Riders of the Purple Sage and Santana. His production companies mounted concerts for artists including Stevie Ray Vaughan, David Bowie, Pink Floyd and Frank Zappa. He also acted as manager for Otis Redding, the Danish band Gasolin' and Japanese jazz musician, Stomu Yamashta. Morris passed away on November 10, 2023, in his home in New Mexico.
Item: JMC1008
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