Two Horned Men - Big Brother at The Ark

This Big Brother original poster was created to promote their appearance at the Ark in Sausalito on November 4th, 1967. During the boom of psychedelic rock, Sausalito became a hangout for many of the Bay Area bands. After they finished their main gigs they would pop over the bridge and play late night sets at the Ark. The venue was a favorite destination for these shows as it was the only venue open late.

Having received national recognition after the Monterey Pop Festival, Big Brother started getting booked around the country. A well-known band on the West Coast (especially in San Francisco), Big Brother played their first East Coast concert in New York City on February 17, 1968, at the Anderson Theater.   The Village Voice, while noting that “ears came out ringing” after the Saturday night performance, cited Joplin as ranking in sex appeal with Jim Morrison and Jimi Hendrix, and praised “her belting, groovy style,” mixing Bessie Smith, Aretha Franklin and James Brown. Big Brother was the first band to play in Bill Graham’s legendary Fillmore East on March 8, 1968 and so this show at the Ark was when the band was at the height of their powers, just a week after those shows.