It was nearly two years after the demise of Led Zeppelin that Jimmy Page publically reemerged. When considering options for the “Death Wish II” musical score, film director Michael Winner chose Jimmy Page, who was Winner's neighbor at the time. The movie starred Charles Bronson and Page recorded the film’s soundtrack. The movie’s opening credits bear Page's signature guitar tone along with the heavy reverb-laden drum sound that he used with Led Zeppelin. Promotion for the film was average, both in the United States and elsewhere; the movie itself received mixed reviews. Yet Led Zeppelin fans were encouraged that Jimmy Page was back in the studio making music again!
Besides advertisements in various publications, the only item issued in the U.S. to market “Death Wish II” in music stores was a poster of the soundtrack with artwork of Bronson on it. (It was completely different from the movie one sheets at theaters.) Overseas however, in an attempt to stimulate album sales with music from a legendary guitarist, the Warner-Pioneer Corporation in Japan used much more striking image on their poster, and here is your chance to own one of these gems!
This incredibly rare poster features a live shot of Jimmy Page playing the double neck guitar at the 1979 Knebworth Music Festival on the left, with remarkable Japanese text to the right of him. In the bottom corners is a Swan Song Records logo with “Warner-Pioneer Corporation” on the left, and “Not For Sale” on the right.
With a small pressing of the soundtrack in Japan, few posters were produced to market the album. This is either a prototype or an incredibly scarce first edition of this poster, as it is the ONLY ONE I have ever seen in over three decades with yellow accent on it! I have had a completely black and white edition of this poster before, which may have been what was actually circulated in a limited number of music stores in Japan.
This incredibly rare poster is 31 years old and is in very nice condition; it measures 23 ½” by 33”. There are no rips, thumbtack holes, or major flaws of any kind to mention; there is very minor wear due to age and handling and some clear tape remnants on the back. The only other details to note are a tiny 3/8” tear along the bottom edge (which is hardly even noticeable) and a 3” diagonal crease in the upper left hand corner (from the left side to the top), which is pretty incidental. Overall, I would rate this poster’s condition to be a 9 on a scale of 10. A choice mat and a frame would certainly maximize the poster’s eye catching nature and unique display ability!
Locating another one of these could be nearly impossible…it could be the only one in existence. The hardcore fan who buys this will clearly have a unique place among hardcore collectors with the purchase of this gem! $1,500.00 ($19.95 shipping in the U.S. or $49.95 anywhere else in the world.) |
