John Cougar | American Fool Promo Poster

Now, of course, he's John Mellencamp. But back in 1982 he was still John Cougar. And his fifth album American Fool was his commercial breakthrough, thanks to hits like...

Jim Carroll Band | Catholic Boy 1980 Promo Poster

Sure, he was a one-hit wonder. But you have to admit it was a pretty solid hit. Four decades after its release, People Who Died is still a great...

The Tubes | Rare 1981 Completion Backward Western Canada Tour Poster

I do not remember where or when I first came across The Tubes — I suspect I saw their picture in Circus, Creem, Hit Parader or one of the...

Neil Young | Giant Re•ac•tor Promo Poster

I saw Neil Young was shooting his mouth off in the media again today. Figured that was as good an excuse as any to show off this large Re•ac•tor...

Ian Hunter | Short Back N’ Sides Promo Poster

I couldn't tell you exactly when I became an Ian Hunter fan, but I suspect it was the first time I heard Mott The Hoople’s All The Young Dudes...

U2 | Rare October Promo Poster

I am so old that I remember hearing U2’s I Will Follow on the radio for the first time. So old that I remember buying their first album Boy...

The 53rd Grammy Awards | Official Recording Academy Promo Poster

Since we've been talking about award shows a bunch this week, it seemed like a good time to peck out a few words to go with this poster from...

Plasmatics | Ultra-Rare Wendy O. Williams Fan Club Poster

In 1980, I bought The Plasmatics’ first album New Hope For the Wretched. It was an import on the Stiff America label. I know this for a fact because...

The Doobie Brothers | Rare 1981 Canadian Tour Poster

Today in Questionable Decisions: It has just been announced that The Doobie Brothers are being inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame. Now, before you get your...

Motörhead | Iron Fist Promo Poster

Lemmy was laid to rest four years ago this week. Fast Eddie Clarke died two years ago this week. Seems like the right time to share this promo poster...

Talking Heads | The Name Of This Band Is Talking Heads 1982 Promo Poster

This week, Talking Heads — or at least someone claiming to be Talking Heads — started an Instagram account. So naturally, people immediately started nattering about a reunion tour. I'll...

Van Halen | Diver Down 1982 Promo Poster

For a band that hasn't released an album for seven years — and very likely never will again — Van Halen sure have been in the news a lot...

The Clash | London Calling Promo Poster

With the 40th anniversary of London Calling on the horizon — The Clash’s landmark, career-making double album came out Dec. 14, 1979 in the U.K., though it didn't arrive...

Pretenders | Ultra-Rare Cardboard Promo

Here's an interesting, one-of-a-kind item: A wing-shaped, die-cut promo poster for The Pretenders. It's dated 1981 and was created by their label Sire Records, so I presume it was...

Dire Straits | Rare First Album Promo Poster

Like countless other music lovers at the time, I became a Dire Straits fan the first time I heard Sultans of Swing on the radio back in 1978. I...

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