Wednesday, February 5, 2025

Remembering David Edward Byrd

 Remembering David Edward Byrd


Generations of theater fans are familiar with the work of artist David Edward Byrd, who passed away yesterday. You may have some of his work hanging on your wall, or maybe you have a t-shirt or program from your school production of Godspell or Little Shop of Horrors.







Show logo lovers like me have long been mesmerized by his works, staring at the symmetry of Jesus' hair on the Godspell cast recording, finding the tiniest fun detail on the original Little Shop artwork, and scrutinizing each crack on the Follies poster. His brilliant use of dynamic colors was perfectly matched with his eye for composition. The genius of his work was that it told you everything you needed to know about its subject without giving anything away.

His reach as an iconographer extended well past the theater district as he created brilliant posters for some of the greatest music acts of all time. Prince, Fleetwood Mac, The Who, The Grateful Dead, David Bowie and Janis Joplin among many others. He was also the resident artist for The Fillmore.

Thankfully, his art is readily available to be enjoyed, be it in our personal collections, online or in a number of published books.

RIP Mr. Byrd and thank you.

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