POP/ROCK 'N' ROLL STAR 1950s PHOTO PRINT: JIMMY BOWEN (G.K.L. Management)

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POP/ROCK 'N' ROLL STAR 1950s PHOTO PRINT: JIMMY BOWEN (G.K.L. Management)
This reproduction of a signed photo of Jimmy Bowen came from the estate of Kansas City booking agent and promoter David Booker (1917-1980). This publicity photo was used to promote Bowen in 1957. He toured with Irving Feld's "Biggest Show of Stars" R&B/rock 'n' roll package that year and the tour made stops in Kansas City and nearby cities. Artists on that tour at different points included Fats Domino, Lavern Baker, Clyde McPhatter, Frankie Lymon, Chuck Berry, the Spaniels, the Bobbettes, the Drifters, Tommy Brown, Harold "Stumpy" Cromer (the MC), and the Paul Williams Band -- all black acts -- along with some white stars, Buddy Knox, Jimmy Bowen, Eddie Cochran, Paul Anka, Buddy Holly & the Crickets, and the Everly Brothers, on some dates.
(David Booker's files contained photos of many of these performers and I will be auctioning more of them soon. He used black & white glossy publicity photos he got from agencies such as Gale, Shaw, GAC and Universal, and record companies (Duke, Vee-Jay, etc.) but apparently when he ran out and needed more he would make copies from the prints on lesser quality paper (still slick or glossy, though) -- sometimes again and again, and after several generations of recopying, the resulting prints would have blurred lines and lettering and a brown or reddish tint or outlining. (At least that's the explanation a photo restoration expert suggested to me; if you know more about what process may have been used, please let me know!)
I am auctioning several prints, some originals, some copies, but all (including the copies) apparently are from the era when he was actively booking these artists in the 1950s and '60s. He often had the artists sign the prints, again using both original photos and later generation prints. The Bowen photo is a later generation reproduction with a brownish tint and blurred outlines, with the signature in blue ink.
I have many more records, CDs, magazines and memorabilia listed at my eBay store, BluEsoterica.com Mail Order and if you are in Kansas City, see my bins at Holy Cow Market & Music, 3109 Gillham Road, Sundays from noon a.m. till 5:00 p.m.
-- Jim O'Neal, Co-founder, Living Blues Magazine (eBay seller Stackhouse232)