Electrified: 50 Years of Electric Factory
Image courtesy of Special Collections Research Center, Temple University Libraries, Philadelphia, PA
Exhibition Programming
From Vinyl Treasures to Hall of Fame: A Documentary Screening and Masterclass
Thursday, November 16, 2023, 7 PM - 9 PM
URBN Annex Screening Room
⚡️Electrified Presents: From Vinyl Treasures to Hall of Fame: A Documentary Screening & Masterclass. Join us for a thrilling evening that celebrates the enduring enchantment of music, the art of collecting, the world of museums, and the legendary realm of rock & roll!
The night kicks off with the debut of "RECOLLECTIONS," a mesmerizing 30-minute documentary by Christopher Plant. This film takes you on a journey into the life and career of Val Shively, and his 50 year passion for owning and operating one of Philadelphia's most iconic record stores in Upper Darby.
Following the documentary screening, we're honored to host an engaging masterclass and Q&A session with a distinguished panel of experts. Val Shively himself, Greg Harris, CEO of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Documentary Director Christopher Plant, and Derek Gillman, Distinguished Teaching Professor and Executive Director of Drexel University Collections and Exhibitions and former Director of the Barnes Foundation, will share their insights and knowledge.
This event is free and open to the public.
Register
A Conversation with Jody Gerson, Chairman & CEO, Universal Music Publishing Group
Monday, November 27, 2023, 7 PM
Webinar
Join us for a virtual talk with Jody Gerson, Chairman & CEO, University Music Publishing Group moderated by Professor Monika Julie, Drexel Music Industry Program. Hosted in collaboration with Drexel Women in Music.
This event is free and open to the public.
Register
A Conversation with Musician and Actor, Steven Van Zandt and Dean Schupbach
Wednesday, November 29, 2023, 6 PM
Webinar
Join us for a virtual talk with musician and actor Steven Van Zandt moderated by Dean Jason Schupbach. “
This event is free and open to the public.
Register
Heart of the Beat with David Uosikkinen
Thursday, December 4, 2023, 7 PM
Stein Auditorium at Nesbitt Hall
Join us for an exclusive evening of rhythm, nostalgia, and conversation as we present "Heart of the Beat," a captivating documentary that tells the stroy of renowned Hooters drummer David Uosikkinen.
Following the screening, immerse yourself in a thought-provoking discussion with David Uosikkinen himself, along with bass guitar player Kenny Aaronson. Gain insights into the creative process, the challenges faced, and the triumphs celebrated by the musicians who shaped the soundtrack of a generation. Discover the behind-the-scenes anecdotes and the inspirations that fueled the creation of timeless classics.
Finishing the evening with an acoustic performance for attendees.
This gathering provides a rare opportunity to connect with a music icon and explore the symbiotic relationship between artists and the cities that inspire them. We hope to see you there!
This event is free and open to the public.
Register
September 22 - December 30, 2023
Paul Peck Alumni Center Gallery and Bossone Research Center, 32nd & Market Street
Free and open to the public: Wednesday - Friday 1PM - 7PM, and Saturday 12PM - 5PM
A major exhibition celebrating the impact of Philadelphia-based Electric Factory and Electric Factory Concerts, from the late 1960s to the 2010s.
In 1967 Larry Magid returned to his native Philadelphia, reconnecting with brothers Allen, Herb and Jerry Spivak, and Shelly Kaplan. Herb Spivak owned a jazz nightspot called the Showboat Theatr and was keen to harness Larry Magid’s experience as a talent agent in New York, who had been promoting upcoming rock and blues musicians. The two discussed plans to open a club that would be a hip, underground environment.
When the original Electric Factory opened on Arch Street in February 1968, Philadelphia had a range of venues offering jazz, blues, soul, rhythm & blues, and rock, supported by local radio stations. Yet its impact was immediate, with Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and Cream appearing in its first three months. Electric Factory Concerts (EFC) began shortly afterwards, mounting the three-day Atlantic City Pop Festival in 1969, just before Woodstock. Shortly after the original Electric Factory closed in 1970, EFC opened the Bijou Café on Lombard St.
With Larry Magid, as promoter, and Allen Spivak as business manager, EFC became the major concert producer on the east coast, managing thousands of concerts at the Spectrum and other venues. It co-produced Live Aid, partnering with Bob Geldorf, Bill Graham, and Harvey Goldsmith in London, and twenty years later Live 8. In 1995, the second Electric Factory opened in Old City.
This unmissable exhibition will include original posters, photographs, and concert apparel. An American invention, the electric guitar is the signature instrument of rock and visitors will be drawn to Bruce Springsteen’s Fender Telecaster, played in Philadelphia more than any other celebrated guitar; the 6-string bass Jack Bruce used to record Fresh Cream, painted in psychedelic colors for Cream’s 1968 European and US tours; and a late 1950s Gibson Les Paul, regarded by some as the holy grail of electric guitars, played by Mick Taylor at the Spectrum during the Stones’ tour in 1972.
The exhibition includes sections on the early years of Electric Factory, Live Aid, concert sound systems (with a scaled-down stage), the 2nd Electric Factory, and the psychology of rhythm which underlies so much music. An interactive section will close the show, inviting guests to decorate guitars virtually.
The exhibition will be closed on Thursday, November 23rd.