The John J. Kearns Collection is dated 1967 to 2010 and contains undated materials. The collection consists of three series: Series I: Artist files, Series II: Posters, and Series III: Video Cassettes. Series I: Artist files is dated 1967 to 2010 and contains undated materials. The artist files contain a variety of materials including promotional photographs, press kits, clippings, programs and handbills. Artists represented in the files include David Bowie, Eric Clapton, John Lennon, the Sex Pistols, Janis Joplin and Big Brother and the Holding Company, and Otis Redding. Series II: Posters is dated 1968 to 2008 and contains undated materials. The series consists of a variety of posters, including album inserts, album promotion posters, concert posters, record label advertisements, film releases, and promotional posters of the artists. Artists documented in the collection include Janis Joplin, Nina Hagan, Blondie, Cyndi Lauper, Madonna, Patti Smith, Ramones, Bette Midler, Lou Reed, and Velvet Underground. Films represented in the posters include Rock 'n' Roll High School, The Rose, and Rockers. Series III: Video Cassettes is dated 1988 to 1996 and contains undated materials. The series consists of five VHS tapes featuring Patti Smith and includes an interview with Smith, a video promotional postcard for Gone Again, and the Summer Cannibals music video. The collection documents the wide variety of formats and materials used in the promotion of artists and heavily features Patti Smith. The collection is arranged by format and then alphabetically by artist.
Notes
Separated Materials: Books, commercial VHS videocassettes, and 45 rpm records have been transferred to the library collection. Please search for the "John J. Kearns Collection" in the library catalog for a list of donated titles. If you are unable to find what you are looking for, consult the Library and Archives staff to ensure these materials are available.
Acquisition Note: The John J. Kearns Collection was received by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a gift from John J. Kearns in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2010.
Citation: [Identification of Item], John J. Kearns Collection, Library and Archives, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Language Note: Materials are in English.
Processing Information: Processed by Crystal Matjasic, Project Archivist. Completed October 30, 2019. Descriptive sources and standards used to create this inventory: DACS and local processing manual. Collection processed through an Access to Historical Records grant from the NHPRC.
Exhibition History: Reproduction in Janis Joplin exhibit, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.
Access
Collection is open for research. Patrons must sign the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibilities and Privacy Rights statement on the Researcher Registration Form before using this collection. Consult the Library and Archives in advance of your visit to ensure access to these materials is available.
Some of the audiovisual materials in the collection are on defunct media formats and, therefore, are RESTRICTED. Access copies of these materials will have to be created prior to use. Consult the Library and Archives staff in advance of your visit to ensure access to these materials is available.
Use
The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Inc. For more information, please consult the staff of the Library and Archives.
