HISTORY
The legend of the armadillo
It was a place that would define the next decade of live music, and cement Austin as the “Live Music Capital of the World.” It made an unlikely animal the symbol of the Texas counterculture. And most importantly, it took a population divided by political and lifestyle differences, and brought them together over a love of cold beer, cheap pot, and damn good music.
It was The Armadillo World Headquarters. And in just 10 years, it would become a Texas legend.
The Armadillo became a must-play venue for legends like Willie, Waylon, Frank Zappa and Bruce Springsteen. It was AC/DC’s first American gig. And showcased just about everyone from Van Morrison to Van Halen. It was a place where creativity, laughter, and cold Lone Star Beer flowed freely—where good times weren’t just encouraged, they were guaranteed.
“YOU GOT REDNECKS AND HIPPIES
and for the first time they’re are dancing and drinking and smoking pot together, and the next thig you know they’re kissing each other, And that was just the guys!”
-Willie Nelson
“UP UNTIL THEN YOU NEVER SAW
the cowboys and hippies getting along. But before you knew it, the cowboys started growing their hair out…and the hippies started wearing hats.”
-Eddie Wilson
“WHEN THE HISTORY
of the music business is written, it’ll be mentioned several times.”
-Charlie Daniels
ARMADILLO
Poster images courtesy of AUSPOP
The legendary Armadillo Art Squad defined the visual identity of Austin’s live music scene in the 1970s, creating iconic poster art that captured the spirit of the original Armadillo World Headquarters and its cultural revolution.
LINEUP
The original Armadillo hosted artists from nearly every genre—an eclectic mix that was rare in the 1970s and helped define Austin’s music history, uniting diverse audiences and shaping the city’s legacy as the Live Music Capital of the World.
ROCK POP
Al Stewart
AC/DC
Aerosmith
Alice Cooper
Barry Manilow
Blood, Sweat & Tears
Blue Oyster Cult
Bob Seger
Bruce Springsteen
Dire Straits
Frank Zappa
Genesis
J Geils Band
Jerry Garcia
Jimmy Buffett
Jimmy Cliff
John Cougar Mellencamp
Journey
Kansas
Kenny Loggins
The Kinks
Linda Ronstadt
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Peter Frampton
Ted Nugent
Van Halen
Van Morrison
COUNTRY
Roy Orbison
Waylon Jennings
Willie Nelson
Charlie Daniels Band
David Allan Coe
David Bromberg
Emmylou Harris
Gram Parsons
Hoyt Axton
Jerry Lee Lewis
J.J. Cale
John Prine
Kinky Friedman
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Asleep at the Wheel
Billie Joe Shaver
Chip Taylor
Chris Hilman
Diamond Rio
Dickey Betts
Doug Kershaw
Doug Sahm
Jerry Jeff Walker
Jesse Winchester
Katy Moffatt
Les Dudek
R&B JAZZ
B.B. King
Count Basie
Etta James
James Brown
Ray Charles
Chuck Mangione
Dr. John
Elvin Bishop
Fats Domino
Gil Scott-Heron
Herbie Hancock
Leon Redbone
Parliament Funkadelic
Paul Butterfield
The Pointer Sisters
Rufus
Freddie Hubbard
Freddie King
Gary Burton
George Duke
James Cotton Band
Jan Hammer
Maynard Ferguson
Merle Sanders
Noel Redding
Pat Metheny
Ramsey Lewis
MODERN ROCK
Blondie
The Clash
Elvis Costello
The Police
The Pretenders
The Ramones
Rush
Talking Heads
The B-52s
Devo
Iggy Pop
The Jam
Joe Jackson
Roxy Music
Runaways
Todd Rundgren’s Utopia
XTC
Bill Bruford
Captain Beefheart
The Dixie Dregs
Gentle Giant
John Cale
Mahavishnu Orchestra
Nektar
Renaissance
Rockpile
ARTSQUAD
Led by Jim Franklin, this band of ultra-talented misfits left a legacy that endures today.
Jim Franklin
The Legend Behind the Armadillo
Jim Franklin, born in 1943 in Galveston, is a Texas artist best known for his psychedelic posters for Austin’s Armadillo World Headquarters. His surreal armadillo illustrations became a counterculture symbol. Franklin also created album covers and contributed to underground publications, cementing his legacy in Austin’s artistic and music scene.
Micael Priest
Iconic Pen-and-Ink Artist
Micael Priest (1951–2018) was a pivotal Austin artist renowned for his iconic posters for the Armadillo World Headquarters. As a leading member of the Armadillo Art Squad, his distinctive pen-and-ink illustrations captured the essence of Austin’s vibrant music scene. Despite being colorblind, Priest’s art became emblematic of the city’s counterculture movement.
Ken Featherston
Expressive, Rich, Dynamic
Ken Featherston was a Texas artist known for his striking concert posters for Austin’s Armadillo World Headquarters. Originally from Corpus Christi, he moved to Austin to study at the University of Texas. His artwork played a key role in shaping the city’s 1970s music and counterculture scene before his untimely passing.
Kerry Awn
Austin’s Living Legend
Kerry Awn, a Texas-born artist, is known for his iconic concert posters, murals, and comedy. A key figure in Austin’s 1970s counterculture, he created artwork for Armadillo World Headquarters and co-designed the famed Austintatious mural near the University of Texas.
Bill Narum
Counterculture Icon
Bill Narum (1947–2009) was a Texas artist renowned for his vibrant concert posters for Austin’s Armadillo World Headquarters. He also served as art director for Antone’s and designed for ZZ Top. Narum co-founded Houston’s KLOL-FM and was president of the South Austin Museum of Popular Culture.
Henry Gonzalez
Visual Artist, Cultural Icon
Born in Brownsville, Henry Gonzalez (1950-2016) came from a family of graphic artists. Through his work at the Armadillo, he played a significant role in shaping Austin’s artistic identity, creating visuals that continue to resonate with the city’s cultural legacy and celebrate its creative spirit..
Gary McIlhenny
Bold, Intricate, Whimsical
Born in 1947, Gary McIlhenny played a pivotal role in shaping the visual identity of Austin’s music scene, designing posters for legendary Armadillo performers, like Jerry Garcia. Today, his influence extends to Austin’s broader artistic community, where he remains a respected figure in the city’s creative history.
Sam Yeates
An American Original
Sam Yeates was a Texas-based artist known for his highly detailed, painterly approach to poster art. Blending Western themes, realism, and fantasy, his work stood out for its rich colors, dramatic compositions, and masterful rendering of light and texture.
Guy Juke
King of the Comic Underground
Guy Juke, born William De White in 1951, is an Austin-based artist and musician. Moving to Austin in 1972, he became known for his sharp-edged, surreal concert posters for Armadillo World Headquarters. His style draws from horror, Western themes, and geometric designs.
Jim Harter
Timeless, Elaborate, Complex
Jim Harter (1941–2015) was a Texas-born artist renowned for his surrealistic collages and contributions to the 1960s and ’70s Austin poster scene. He created concert posters for venues like the Vulcan Gas Company and Armadillo World Headquarters, and published several books featuring his intricate collage art.
Danny Garrett
Precision Meets Imagination
Danny Garrett, born in 1945 in Dodge City, Kansas, is a renowned artist celebrated for his vibrant posters that captured Austin’s 1970s music scene. After moving to Austin in 1970, he created iconic artwork for venues like Armadillo World Headquarters and Antone’s, contributing significantly to the city’s cultural heritage.