The Buddy Holly Story

Original finished Chantrell artwork (21"x 28") for the 1978 biopic about Buddy Holly this item originally came from the artist's own collection & provenance to this effect will be provided).

A number of roughs by artist Brian Gough were commissioned for this Quad poster but when these failed to satisfy, Chantrell was brought in & produced a single rough & this finished artwork for which he was paid £270. We show the completed artwork, the artwork with an acetate overlay (this second design mostly unused) & the printed poster for comparison.

The artwork is laid onto artboard & demonstrates Chantrell's fondness for bold day-glo titles. The illustration (Holly's hand on the neck of the guitar) also extends beyond the normal rectangular bounds of the board. This was another quirk of Chantrell's & a deliberate device to extend the illustration into the white margin of the poster as the finished Quad clearly shows. Also of interest in this piece, is evidence of Chantrell experimenting with some air-brush illustration (ie, the spot-light glares). Apart from the acetate overlay there is also a paper overlay which is extensively annotated by the artist with instructions for the printers.

The film was critically acclaimed, being nominated for three Oscars & winning the Oscar for "Best Musical Score". Buddy Holly was an important influence on The Beatles & in later years Paul McCartney acquired the publishing rights to Buddy Holly's song catalogue. From 1976 McCartney hosted the annual Buddy Holly Week event too. On a poignant musical note, The Who's Keith Moon died after attending the UK premiere of the film.

NB. A supplementary P&P charge will be required for all buyers though this item may also be collected by appointment.

Please note this item is sold without copyright, reproduction rights, licensing agreements or any other type of legal release.

Price: £745.00

Film Category: Music / Drama
Director: Steve Rash
Actor / Actresses: Gary Busey, Don Stroud, Charles Martin Smith
Poster Type: Original Artwork
Poster Artist: Chantrell Thomas
Condition: Excellent
Year: 1978
Reference: 63370

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