Lot 261
Guest Book Signed by The Doors (3 times), The Grateful Dead, Bee Gees & Others
A treasure trove of rock and pop music signatures abounds in this sign-in guest book from the Los Angeles-area rehearsal studio known as Modern Musical Services; where between September 1967 and July 1968 the studio was booked, most notably, by future Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees The Doors, The Grateful Dead, The Bee Gees, Del Shannon and The Animals founder, Eric Burdon.
Appearing on the first two pages of the leather bound, sixteen page spiral book is an exceedingly rare set of signatures from all of the original members of The Grateful Dead. Ron "Pigpen" McKernan, was the first to sign as "R.C. McKernan," followed by Bob Weir, Jerry Garcia, Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart, who signed on as the group's second drummer three just weeks prior to the October 17, 1967, booking. The back of the page reveals the signature of Phil Lesh, in addition to good friend and future producer of several Grateful Dead albums, Robert C. Matthews.
After a pair of concerts at the Carousel Theatre in West Covina, California, on January 19th and 20th, The Doors booked themselves into Modern Musical Services for sessions on three successive days (January 24-26, 1968). During this time, it is quite likely that the group was working on the extended dramatic composition entitled "The Celebration of the Lizard," which originally was to be the centerpiece of their third album. "Lizard" studio sessions commenced at T.T.G. Recording Studios in Hollywood a month later on February 19th. Jim Morrison, Ray Manzarek, Robby Kreiger, and John Densmore have each signed the guest book three times, in addition to equipment manager Vince Treaner. In an undated entry, most likely January 23rd, John Densmore and Robby Kreiger have signed a fourth time.
The Bee Gees, who also booked time at the rehearsal hall on January 23rd and 24th, were preparing for their first-ever concert tour of North America, which kicked off several days later on January 27th at the Anaheim Convention Center. The same week, the group also taped television appearances on "The Smothers Brothers Show" and "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In." On back to back pages, the three Gibb brothers, Barry, Maurice and Robin have signed, in addition to original guitarist Vince Melouney and drummer Colin Petersen.
Other notable entries include The Fifth Dimension (Marilyn McCoo, Billy Davis Jr., Lamonte McElmore, Ronald Townson and Florence la Rue), future Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Del Shannon, Tommy Boyce & Bobby Hart (twice), jazz drummer Louie Bellson and his touring band (twice). Future Little Feat founder, the late Lowell George, signed in twice during October 1967 as his current band, The Factory, was nearing its demise. A revamped line-up of The Animals signed in on November 16, 1967, but Eric Burdon is the only original member that was included in the group's induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. Five members of Spanky & Our Gang as well as the line-up of the Barry Goldberg Reunion, including Harvey Mandell, booked dates in July 1968. Nearly one hundred additional names are included, many listing Los Angeles-area addresses.
All of the signatures appear on the first sixteen pages of the 7 x 8.75" hardbound guest book, while the name "Modern Musical Services" services is handwritten on the first page. This historic item is being offered in memory of the consignor's late brother.
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