(image provided by David Edward Byrd)
In the late 1960s, artist David Edward Byrd was designing rock posters for shows at the newly opened music venue the Fillmore East. After creating concert posters for the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Jefferson Airplane, and the Rolling Stones (not to mention, the Who s
Tommy and Woodstock), he came upon an assignment that would introduce him to the world of Broadway. Byrd submitted designs for the poster for the new Stephen Sondheim-James Goldman musical
Follies, and while it took a couple of passes, the art he created has gone down in theatrical history. With the show marking its 50th anniversary on April 4 (which happens to be Byrd s 80th birthday), Byrd tells us how it came to be.