Joe Cocker and Little Richard - 1969

This popular poster was a rare collaboration between two of promoter Bill Graham’s favorite poster artists of the day. The piece combines one of David Singer’s surrealist central collages with Randy Tuten’s lettering and offered the usual eclectic pairing of different styles of music. Certainly though, both Joe Cocker and Little Richard were dynamic and exciting performers who could both bring the house down and no doubt did in October, 1969.

Cocker was known for his gritty voice, spasmodic body movement in performance, and distinctive versions of popular songs of varying genres. His recording of the Beatles' "With a Little Help from My Friends" [with studio musician Jimmy Page on guitar] reached number one in the UK in late 1968. He was at the peak of his powers for these shows at the Fillmore West just two months after taking Woodstock by storm. 

During his first United States tour in the spring of 1969, Cocker played at several large festivals, including the Newport and Denver Pop Festivals. In August, Cocker’s manager convinced organizer Artie Kornfeld to book Cocker for Woodstock. The group had to be flown into the festival by helicopter due to the large crowds. They performed several songs, including "Feelin' Alright?," "Let's Go Get Stoned," and "With a Little Help from My Friends." Cocker would later say that the experience was "like an eclipse ... it was a very special day" and he was one Woodstock’s breakout performers.

The Move were a British rock band of the late 1960s and the early 1970s. They scored nine Top 20 UK singles in five years but they never found success in the United States. They wound up only played a handful of shows in the U.S. - including these at the Fillmore West -, and they had to book their own travel and accommodations. Interestingly, this lineup of musicians eventually evolved into the very successful Electric Light Orchestra.