sbrooksgrahics.com
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by Silver Hogue
Steve Brooks managed to become a part of rock history without trashing hotel rooms or enduring rehab.
In the 1970s and ’80s, the Oak Cliff native and Kessler Park resident spent his days cranking out concert posters for the likes of Willie Nelson, Eric Clapton, the Eagles, Alice Cooper, and Pink Floyd. Brooks will showcase his colorful design history Jan. 3-31 at the Dallas Public Library’s Lillian Bradshaw Gallery.
“Steve’s work is original, humorous, and has that necessary ‘graphic art’ quality of grabbing the viewer’s immediate attention,” said Gwen Dixie, art librarian at the Dallas Library. “His exhibit at library will be called ‘That 70s Flyer Show’ and brings back memories of all those bands who played Dallas 30 years ago.”
The self-taught designer got his start during his time at North Texas State University, when he was hired by local concert promoter Treehouse Productions to create a poster for Delaney & Bonnie and Friends.
“They needed it fast and cheap, so I fit their needs,” Brooks said. “We only had a 72-hour turnaround.”
Brooks said the job gave him a foot in the door and he later got a job at Buddy Magazine working alongside friend and fellow Oak Cliff resident Kirby Warnock.
“Steve had a certain style that was just right for the progressive country movement that was taking place then,” Warnock said. “His artistry captured the feel of Willie Nelson and Jerry Jeff Walker. Rock music back then had a Texas twang to it, and Steve had that twang in his pen whenever he started to draw a character or a poster.
“It was a special time and place to be in Dallas in the ’70s. There was so much that was totally unrestrained and unregulated. There were no credentials, just the guts to try it. Steve saw a niche and just started drawing. He captured the flavor of the Dallas rock scene in the ’70s.”
All of Brooks’ work was done by hand in pen and ink, and occasionally watercolor. It was then quickly sent to a local printer who would create a few thousand copies for distribution at local record stores such as Sound Warehouse, Peaches Records and Tapes, and Mother Blues.
Brooks said one of the most difficult designs he took on was creating a poster for Willie Nelson’s Fourth of July Picnic.
“I created a number of things for Willie,” Brooks said. “The rope logo of his name that he still wears on his bandanna was my creation. I also went and lived on his ranch in Colorado for a while to paint a teepee for him.”
Brooks cultivated a working friendship with Nelson that continued throughout the ’70s and early ’80s. Brooks even designed the movie poster for Nelson’s film Honeysuckle Rose.
His exhibit next month will feature many of his posters and some of his handbills, a promotional tool that is almost forgotten in today’s music industry. Brooks said he drew hundreds of them, usually one week prior to the shows that only cost about $4 to attend. Promoters would hire people to hand them out at street corners and other locations where teens hung out.
The process became a weekly ritual for Brooks, and his impressive collection speaks for itself. All of the posters and handbills will be for sale at the show and range from $10 to hundreds of dollars; however, Brooks said he is keeping some of the pieces for himself.
“I had a great time doing this,” Brooks said. “I would encourage anyone who wants to go into design to follow their dreams.”