Gary Grimshaw: 1946 to 2014

© leni sinclair

I was born in 1959, too late to fully live-out the tumultuous decade of the 1960's. Any direct experience I have regarding the counter-culture of the sixties, were memories lived vicariously through my older siblings and the TV set, where gruesome images of the Vietnam War would find their way into our living rooms every night. These images were followed by frequent footage of authorities clashing with young hippies, who were driving home messages of peace and love to supplant the horrors of an unwanted war.

"Turn on, tune in and drop out" was the mantra, and psychedelic rock was often the conduit.

If anyone embodied that era it was the exceptionally talented local artist Gary Grimshaw, who passed away last week at the age of 67. Born in Detroit in 1946, Gary's psychedelic rock posters and hand bills, especially his earlier work from the Grande Ballroom, were extraordinary works of art that not only reflect the times, but they embrace the energy and spirit of the bands that performed at the Grande.  Grimshaw's posters, along with Stanley Mouse, Rick Griffin and Victor Moscoso, stand as archives of a bygone era.

This Saturday, there will be a visitation at MOCAD from 6 to 8pm, followed by a musical performance from 8 to 9pm.

On Sunday, there will be a funeral service at Mocad, followed by a reception at the Scarab Club where Gary's art work will be on display.

There is currently a solo exhibit of Gary's work at the Scarab Club, located at 217 Farnsworth St. The exhibit runs through February 15th.

© gary grimshaw

© gary grimshaw