YOU'VE PROBABLY NEVER SEEN A FAMILY TREE SUCH AS THIS.
A History Tree is a one of a kind piece of art. The tree tells a story and history unfolds before your eyes. The concept is unprecedented, and it is an essential piece of memorabilia for the music lover's art collection.
Everything you may have ever wanted to know about your favorite musical genre is pieced together due to Burton's critical thought, labor, patience and love for music.
A History Tree is like an art history course for rockers and sports fanatics!
WHAT ARE HISTORY TREES?
History Trees bring to life the history of your favorite sports team or musical era. The content of each tree in uniquely arranged in chronological order and sized by significance.
Thus, the story is told, from the beginning to end, without turning pages.
By combining names, images and sketches, Burton creates a one of a kind piece of art that is the ideal conversation piece.
A Burton History Tree is the perfect gift for any sports or music enthusiast.
DESCRIPTION OF MUSIC TREES
Burton's work combines thousands of words with images to graphically depict specific subjects of music. Currently, there are 8 available Burton History Music Trees. The collection includes: 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's, Blues, American Rock, Heavy Metal, and British Rock.
Though it is assumed that their musical legacies contributed to the era that evolved, Burton's creation forces the viewer to make their own judgment as to what truly inspired the foundation of the decade.
VIEWING THE TREES:
There are several elements of a Burton Music Tree.
Roots: Critical cultural events (social, political) that defined the era. These were the building blocks of the decade that drove the musical agenda.
Trunk: The most essential artists of the era. These individuals formed the sound that would influence the other major musicians and sounds of that decade.
Tree: All of the prominent musicians (artists and bands) of the decade. The size of the font of the artist/band suggests the level of prominence held (and contribution made) throughout the decade.
1960's
1970's
1980's
2000's
OUR VISION
We believe Burton History Trees is just scratching the surface. Through conversations with current customers, art connoisseurs, entrepreneurs, and various music, sports, marketing and media professionals, we've grown to understand that the passion and interest in Bruce Burton's concept is vast. Burton History Trees invoke a lot of memories and emotions because of the uniqueness and obscurity of the concept, and the potential for a tree of any kind is very real. Our team would like to expand the Burton History Trees concepts into other sports and genres because everyone is a passionate fan of something!
And, in order to achieve our vision, we need to hear from you! If you have an idea for us, please let us know here by clicking here. Let us know what type of Burton History Tree you'd like to see. What are you a big fan of: your college, company, band, hometown, organization, etc. We are open to all suggestions and recommendations!
OUR STORY
We are a team of Chicagoans with diverse backgrounds, interests and professions with one thing in common; a fascination with the Burton History Tree. At all different points in our lives we were individually exposed to Bruce Burton's art. Based on our collective obsession of Sports and Music, we all felt compelled to help make Burton History Trees a successful venture by introducing this to a mass audience of like-minded fans.
Eric Fine, the Founder and leader of this team, has an entrepreneurial zest and insatiable passion for Bruce Burton as an artist. Eric first met Bruce in the early 1990's when Bruce was his high school swim coach. At the time, Eric did not know that Bruce was a talented artist. However, Eric realized that he had been exposed to Burton's History Trees years earlier at the restaurant formerly known as Bones in Lincolnwood, Illinois. Long story short, after Bruce and Eric developed a strong friendship spanning fifteen years, in 2007 Eric felt compelled to partner with Bruce and began to market and expose the public to Bruce's talents.
Fast forward to 2011 2013! The team has grown and this website is new even newer! We have a fresh look, a brand new mission, and the right team in place. Hopefully, you will be as intrigued with the Burton History Tree as we are, and you'll purchase one for yourself, a friend or family member. The Burton History Tree is the perfect gift for any Sports and Music enthusiast because there is really nothing else out there like it.
THE TEAM:
Bruce Burton
Bruce Burton was born in Waukegan and raised in Evanston, Illinois. From as early has he could remember, he was passionately drawn to the events behind, and history and chronology of sports and musical genres. After graduating from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale with a degree in Fine Arts, Bruce began to mentor high school students and swimmers throughout Chicago's North Shore, namely at Loyola, Stevenson, Evanston and New Trier High Schools. Bruce has a true gift for developing of young athletes. Bruce also found his other gift in drawing, as he developed his first Burton History Tree of British Rock in 1979. Combining his graphic design skills, obsession with history, and love for sports and music, he realized he could tell the story of how a sports team or musical genre came to life and eventually blossomed. Since then, Bruce has created dozens of History Trees specific to musical and sports subjects. In his free time, Bruce can be found in southern Illinois where he vacations regularly.
Drew Wasserman
Drew is the digital force behind Burton History Tress. He has a Bachelor's from Illinois in Communication, and a Bachelor from the Illinois Institute of Art in Interactive Media and Web Design. Drew is a Graphic Artist, and Burton apprentice, focused on transforming Burton's production onto the computer, as well as developing and maintaining the Burton History Trees Website.
In early 2007, Drew originally saw value in the art and its long-term opportunity. Since then, he has been working side-by-side with Bruce and observing his approach and philosophy. Now after almost 4 years, Drew has developed a new set Burton History trees, utilizing the original and authentic Burton History Tree style and concept and transferring into the digital realm. Drew is also a contributer to Chicago Now, his blog, Chicago History Looks is an extension of the Burton History Trees style.
We are standing by now to help you with whatever questions or needs you may have!