Original 1975 Jimmy Cliff Concert Poster – Armadillo World Headquarters (Art by Jim Franklin)

A striking piece of mid-century music history, this original 1975 concert poster features a highly detailed, stipple-art portrait of reggae pioneer Jimmy Cliff. Hand-drawn by the legendary Texas poster artist Jim Franklin, this piece was commissioned for Cliff's historic two-night performance at Austin's iconic Armadillo World Headquarters.

Beautifully preserved, this poster features the authorized artist signature matrix "© JFKLN 75" on the lower right shoulder. The bottom border lists foundational Austin ticket outlets of the era, including Inner Sanctum, Oat Willies, AWHQ, Discovery Records, and PhotoMats. It serves as a premier artifact from the golden era of Texas counterculture illustration.

About Jimmy Cliff

Jimmy Cliff is one of reggae's most enduring and globally celebrated figures. Born James Chambers in 1948 in Somerton, Jamaica, he rose to international prominence in the early 1970s as the star of the landmark film The Harder They Come (1972), whose soundtrack introduced reggae to mainstream Western audiences. With anthems like "Many Rivers to Cross," "You Can Get It If You Really Want," and "The Harder They Come," Cliff became a defining voice of Jamaican music and culture. In 2010, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame — one of only two reggae artists to receive that honor. His 1975 Austin performances at the Armadillo World Headquarters came at the height of his international breakthrough, making this poster a document of a pivotal moment in music history.

About the Artist: Jim Franklin

Jim Franklin is a cornerstone of the Texas psychedelic poster art movement and one of the most distinctive illustrators to emerge from the Austin counterculture scene of the late 1960s and 1970s. Best known for his intricate stipple-work and his iconic armadillo imagery — which became the unofficial mascot of the Armadillo World Headquarters — Franklin created hundreds of concert posters for the venue that helped define the visual identity of Austin's music culture. His work sits at the intersection of fine art and folk ephemera, blending meticulous draftsmanship with a deeply Texan sensibility. Posters bearing his signature matrix "© JFKLN" are highly sought after by collectors of both music memorabilia and American graphic art.

Specifications

• Artist: Jim Franklin
• Venue: Armadillo World Headquarters (Austin, Texas)
• Show Dates: November 12–13, 1975
• Dimensions: 11" × 17" (Standard AWHQ original printing size)
• Paper Stock: Flat, un-textured vintage mid-weight poster paper

Condition Report

• Creasing: Features a prominent horizontal fold/crease line running across the lower face area (visible across the lips and cheek).
• Surface Wear: Minor surface scuffing and tiny specks of ink loss along the crease line from handling and age.
• Paper Quality: Shows beautiful, natural vintage aging with a warm sepia tone.

This is a fantastic, highly collectible piece of music history with honest vintage character. Perfect for framing!

Please review all photos closely as they serve as the final condition description. Don't miss the chance to add this foundational piece of Austin gig history to your collection!