Musicians and Snail Mail During Tours in the 1970s: Navigating the Post-Office Challenges

Music tours in the 1970s presented unique challenges when it came to managing snail mail. Musicians were often away from their base addresses for extended periods, frequently traveling to various venues, hotels, and performance locations. This necessitated creative solutions for receiving and managing their mail while on tour.

Common Methods for Snail Mail Delivery

During this era, musicians employed several methods to receive snail mail while on tour. Some of the most common approaches included:

Through Agents: Musicians often sent their mail to their agents, who managed their administrative tasks. In many cases, this mail was forwarded to their current hotel address or a predetermined location. General Delivery: Some musicians opted to send their mail to Poste Restante or General Delivery services at their future venues. They would collect the mail themselves once they arrived at the specific location. Hand Delivery by Private Couriers: For urgent materials, musicians relied on private couriers to deliver the mail directly to them, often via a trusted friend or colleague. Using FAX Machines: For those with access to FAX machines, important documents could be transmitted directly to their hotel rooms or other locations they used during their tour. This was particularly useful for artists who could not provide specific addresses and needed to quickly share critical information.

Challenges Faced by Musicians

Despite these methods, musicians encountered several challenges during tours in the 1970s:

Difficulties with Cruise Tours: Jazz musicians on cruise tours faced unique challenges. They had to learn the names and addresses of port agents in advance to ensure that their mail was handed over to the cruise captain. This often led to moments of stress when agents forgot to pass on the mail. American Express Mail Services: American Express offered temporary mail holding services to travelers, but this network diminished over time. This made it harder for musicians to rely on such services. US Military Bases: Musicians contracted to U.S. military bases overseas faced different logistical challenges. They could use military postal services, but short stops often prevented timely mail forwarding. Some did not even have dedicated PO boxes, resorting to APO/FPO addresses.

Additional Strategies for Handling Mail

In addition to the aforementioned methods, some musicians and their teams employed the following strategies to ensure smooth mail handling:

Mail Forwarding at Home: Musicians sometimes had neighbors or friends collect their mail and store it for them during the tour. For utilities and other necessary mail, some turned off services initially and then reactivated them for the duration of the tour. Reliable Phone Numbers: Access to telephones played a crucial role. Hotel room phones, business manager offices, and even the band members' personal phones played a vital role in maintaining contact and addressing emergencies. Trust Establishments: Hotels and business managers were often trusted points of contact. Everyone left phone numbers and contact information at the business office to ensure swift communication in case of issues.

Conclusion

These methods and strategies were essential for musicians in the 1970s to manage their mail effectively during tours. As technology evolved, the need for these approaches gradually diminished, but they remain a fascinating look into the past of the music industry.