Details
- Reference NumberARC-1255
- Level of descriptioncollection
- TitleJames Render Handbills and Posters
- Date1968-1970, undated
- Size4.07 (Linear feet)
- Inducteex
- Scope and ContentsThe James Render Handbills and Posters, 1969-1970, undated, is a small collection of Render's own artwork as produced for a number of different venues in the Ann Arbor and Detroit, Michigan areas. Artists featured include the Bob Seger System (the name 2004 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee Bob Seger performed under while a locally-successful Detroit artist in the 1960s), Rock Hall nominees the MC5, the Psychedelic Stooges (the original 1960s name for the 2010 Rock Hall Inductees the Stooges), Iron Butterfly, the 1910 Fruitgum Company, Amboy Dukes, and the Shaggs, as well as a number of psychedelic, folk rock, and garage bands from the local Michigan music scene. Venues featured include Clawson Hideout, Silverbell, Something Different, Village Pub, Hidden Place (location of shows for the Ann Arbor Hullabaloo), Eastern Michigan University's Bowen Field House, and the Cavern. Of particular note is early documentation of performances by the MC5, Stooges, Bob Seeger System, and Shaggs. The Shaggs were an American all-female rock band formed in Fremont, New Hampshire in 1968. Through their lack of musical education and experience and the young age at which they recorded their only album, the Shaggs have become known as “the unwitting godmothers of outsider music." The collection exemplifies the popular psychedelic poster art style of the time, and provides insight into the Ann Arbor-Detroit music scene of the late 1960s.
- Biography / Administrative HistoryDuring the late 1960s, James Render was a high school student in Oakland County, Michigan; making collages that reflected the social and political climate (e.g., race riots, Vietnam War), and collecting handbills and posters created by Grande Ballroom artist Gary Grimshaw. These two interests culminated in Render's invitation to design posters for Northville, Michigan venue, the Cavern. Shortly thereafter, he was hired by the Spectrum company to design handbills for several other Michigan venues, including the Clawson Hideout, Silverbell (Lake Orion), Something Different (Southfield), and the Village Pub (Birmingham). A typical design assignment began early in the week with a completed design due Thursday. A representative of Spectrum would stop by the basement of the tiny farmhouse in Beverly Hills, Michigan, where James would work. Due to the rapid turnaround time, handbills would occasionally contain small errors, and some handbills would not used due to last minute scheduling changes. He designed handbills at a time when a number of now well-known Michigan bands were evolving, including the Bob Seger System, Psychedelic Stooges, and Amboy Dukes. Render stopped designing handbills and posters in 1969 when he started art classes at Wayne State University. In 1970, he became a U.S.A.F. medic and was honorably discharged in 1974. Render later obtained degrees from Michigan State and Purdue University which lead to becoming a board certified veterinary pathologist. Render has since retired.
- NotesAcquisition Note: The James Render Handbills and Posters were received by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a gift from Render on June 8, 2022.
Citation: [Identification of Item], James Render Handbills and Posters, Library & Archives, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Language Note: Collection is in English.
Processing Information: Processed by Jennie Thomas, Director of Archives. Completed December June 16, 2022. Descriptive sources and standards used to create this inventory: DACS and local processing manual. Collection processed through a Museums for America grant from the IMLS. - AccessCollection 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.
- UseThe Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Inc. has a limited copyright license to the materials within this collection. This limited license does not cover the works of other individuals and organizations contained in the gift. For more information, please consult the staff of the Library & Archives.
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