Historic 1975 Elvin Bishop AFM Performance Contract Archive
This museum-grade, fully executed American Federation of Musicians (A.F.M.) Performance Contract and Comprehensive Production Rider—dated September 25, 1975—stands as an exceptional artifact of modern music history and mid-1970s concert promotion labor archaeology. Personally hand-signed on the primary validation line by legendary blues-rock guitarist and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame icon Elvin Bishop, this legal document formalizes a major co-headlining arena concert. Executed precisely as Bishop was recording his definitive southern rock anthem "Fooled Around and Fell in Love," this archive captures the high-stakes financial and backstage mechanics of the mid-70s touring circuit.
Concert Specifications & Financial Covenants
The multi-page entertainment agreement outlines a structured framework brokered by the premier southern rock booking machine, The Paragon Agency of Macon, Georgia:
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The Arena Booking: Secures the Elvin Bishop band for a special Halloween night concert on October 31, 1975, at the 8,000-capacity Roanoke Civic Center in Roanoke, Virginia.
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Co-Headline Marquee Billing: To protect his professional standing alongside contemporary stadium acts, a specific marquee clause mandates: "Elvin Bishop to receive 100% Co-headline Billing & play prior to Pure Prairie League."
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Wage and Production Subsidies: The contract, organized via regional promoter Creative Concerts, locks in a guaranteed base wage of $5,000.00, split as a $2,500.00 deposit with the balance due upon demand. It further mandates an absolute $1,250.00 cash allowance paid by the promoter to cover technical sound and lighting costs.
Technical Riders & Autograph Pedigree
The extensive appended technical rider outlines a meticulous arena production network managed by Bishop's road crew. It enforces mandatory six-hour pre-show technical sound checks, a grand piano mandate (Steinway, Baldwin, or Yamaha tuned to A-440), and specific dressing room security metrics. It also features a legendary, detailed hospitality and catering layout specifying cases of Budweiser, Miller Lite, and Coors beer, premium luxury spirits, and dedicated crew meals.
The primary A.F.M. sheet concludes with an exhibition-quality legal signature: "Elvin Bishop", hand-penned in rich blue ink. Furthermore, each individual page of the extensive production rider is hand-sealed at the lower margin by both parties, pairing the promoter's script initials "MA" with Bishop's official corporate stamp initials, "EB/PRODUCER."
Archival Condition
Dating back over half a century, the vintage off-white contract sheets and typewriter rider pages remain in magnificent, museum-quality condition with sharp corners and uniform pre-printed typography. Free from surface creases or smudging, this certified live-performance portfolio represents the absolute zenith of premium rock and roll heritage collecting.
