Photographers of Rock and Roll Artists

New York, New York

Organizer and Director: Jennifer Urena

This exhibition shows the photography of rock 'n' roll musicians in concert, daily lives, to the production of album covers which have been produced by creative, talented photographers. These well known photographers of the rock 'n' roll era give the viewers an insight to what is really going on in the lives of these legendary musicans.

Iain Macmillan

Photographers of Rock 'N' Roll Artists

In this exhibition the following photographers will be presented:

Iain Macmillan

Joel Brodsky

 Elaine Mayes

 Bob Gruen

 Linda McCartney

 Elliot Landy

 Terry O'Neill

 Mick Rock

 Alfred Wertheimer

 Robert Altman

This exhibition is to introduce and show the viewers the photographers of different rock and roll artists. The ten different photographers have taken photos of a rock star or rock stars due to the photographers love for the music and passion for photography. Each work presents a talented musician, photographed by a inspired ambitious photographer. These gifted, artistic photographers that are presented are able to tell stories, show emotions, inspire millions of people, and most importantly let the viewers experience the rock and roll history just through a single photo. These photographs provide a visual to the audience and allow them to go back in history of these legendary musicians thanks to the photographers. When selecting photographers to place in the dedicated "Photographers of Rock and Roll Artists", was not easy. I chose the photos that I favored the most, which started out with "Abbey Road" by Iain Macmiller. I kept to photos I have seen around throughout the media for years. In addition, I chose certain photos based off my favorite rock and roll artists. So not only did I select this photographers based off their influential photographs they produced, but also which singer or band they photographed. My love for the rock and roll artists is unbelievable, and I am always thankful for the talented photographers who let me experience the musicians lives and performances from the past. Without the photographers, we would have never experienced classical rock and roll history and the transformation of music which has impacted many lives today. 

Photographer- Iain Macmillan

The artist of this famous work is Photographer Iain Macmillan. The title of this photograph is "The Abbey Road". The type of media used is photography. The dimensions of this photo are 490px × 483px. The date this famous photo was taken was August 8, 1969. 

Iain Macmillan was born 1938 in Carnoustle, Scotland. Macmillan decided to study photography in his early twenties and got the job of a photographer on a cruise ship. Macmillan created the Book of London, which caught the interest of one of The Beatles. John Lennon decided for Macmillan to shoot for their album cover. 

"It was the only one that had their legs in a perfect 'V' formation, which is what I wanted stylistically." - Iain Macmillan

It was a Sunday afternoon, when Macmillan and The Beatles decided to take the photo-shoot. Macmillan got on to a 10 foot ladder and had a policeman to stop all traffic around Abbey Road. It was the fifth photograph out of six that was chosen to use for the album cover.

It connects to the theme of the "Photographers of Rock and Roll Artist" because Iain Macmillan photographed one of thee famous/influential rock and roll bands of all time. Not only this, but Iain Macmillan became well known throughout the world for producing "The Abbey Road" photograph. This photo, band, and photographer deserve to be number one on this dedicated blog. I chose this photo because The Beatles are mostly known through this picture and I have heard of this photographer due to the importance of this photo. "The Abbey Road" is not only thee famous photo in rock and roll, but it introduced the world to a smart, talented photographer named Iain Macmillan.

Citations:

 "From Dundee to Abbey Road." IMAGINE PEACE. Web. 10 Dec. 2012.

 "The Abbey Road Cover Photography Session." The Beatles Bible. Web. 10 Dec. 2012.

Photographer- Joel Brodsky

The artist of this amazing photograph is Joel Brodsky. The title of this work is called "Jim Morrison, NYC 1967". The media type is photography. The dimensions of this photograph are 493px × 490px. The date "Jim Morrison, NYC 1967" was taken was on September 17, 1967.

Joel Brodsky was born in 1939 and passed away in 2007. He was born and raised in Brooklyn and took his first photography class at Syracuse University. He learned about commercial photography because he maintained a position as an assistant of a high top New York fashion photographer. In 1967, he opened a studio where he shot Jim Morrison photos. 

"Joel Brodsky created the most famous portraits of Jim Morrison - instantly recognizable images capturing the self styled Lizard King at the peak of his powers." -Snap Galleries

The Doors were coming out with two brilliant albums, and Joel Brodsky was honored to photograph the American Poet. The cover album, taken by Brodsky, was nominated for a Grammy. 

"Jim Morrison, NYC 1967" is connected to the theme because The Doors are known to be one of the main rock and roll artist in the era. Joel Brodsky was able to photograph the famous band, and show today's music that The Doors are here to stay. Joel Brodsky presents such a amazing photo of Jim Morrison that it is seen on pins, clothes, posters, etc. and we will continue to see this rock and roll sensation band in the future. I chose this photo because once again The Doors are one of my favorite rock and roll bands of all time. In addition, I have this photo taken by Joel Brodsky on a shirt. It is important to know what such great artists are being kept around and as well as the producer of the photograph. 

Citations:
"Joel Brodsky." Photos from Snap Galleries. Web. 10 Dec. 2012.
"Doors 1967." Doors 1967. Web. 10 Dec. 2012.

 

Photographer- Elaine Mayes

This work was taken by Elaine Mayes. The title of this art is called "Jimi Hendrix With Feathers". The media is photography. The dimensions are 621px × 490px. Lastly, the date of this photo is June 16, 1967. 

This American photographer, Elaine Mayes, started her career in photojournalist in the 60's, the rock and roll era. She became the official photographer for the Steve Miller Band. At University of Minnesota she became one of the first three ladies to teach photography. Mayes made a collection of her photos from the Monterey Pop Festival to create a book called It Happened in Monterey.

"It was nearly impossible for me to photograph Jimi during his performance. I was surrounded by taller photographers and could barely see the stage. Still, I managed to capture this quiet moment. None of us had ever seen him perform before. We had never heard of him. The place went wild, and so did he." -Elaine Mayes

This black and white photo was taken at the three day Monterey Pop Festival. 

This photo of "Jimi Hendrix With Feathers", taken by Elaine Mayes connects to the theme because Jimi Hendrix was considered one of the greatest electric guitarist of his time of rock and roll. Elaine was able to capture such a "impossible" picture of Hendrix in concert which makes this photograph worth so much more. I chose this work because Jimi Hendrix is my top three favorite rock and roll artist and Elaine Mayes was able to do the impossible with her camera.

Citations:
 "Elaine Mayes." Morrison Hotel Gallery. Web. 10 Dec. 2012.

"Jimi Hendrix with Feathers, Monterey, CA, 1967." Morrison Hotel Gallery. Web. 10 Dec. 2012.

Photographer- Bob Gruen

The artist of this work is Bob Gruen. The title of this photograph is "John Lennon, NYC". The media of this work is photography. The dimensions are 355px × 490px. The date this photo was taken was on August 29, 1974. 

Bob Gruen, the rock n' roll photographer, was born in New York City on year 1945. Gruen has been photographing for 40 years. He started to work with photographing Bob Dylan, and made his way to personal take photos of John Lennon as seen above. Gruen has shot Elvis Presley, Led Zeppelin, Bob Dylan, The Stone, Elton John and much more. He knew he wanted to photograph the rock n' roll time because he was a big fan for The Who. 

"Bob's magical photos and brilliantly telling captions together present a kaleidoscope of John Lennon's New York Period. It is beautiful, clear, and truthful. I know. I was there." - Yoko Ono, John Lennon's wife

John Lennon came to New York to sober up and change his life. He was starting a new album and needed a cover. He remember Bob Gruen and asked his to shoot for him. The photos were taken place of John Lennon's penthouse rooftop on a nice, sunny day. Gruen bought a New York City t-shirt off the streets for five dollars and made Lennon wear it for the shoot. Now it is one the thee famous photographs of the rock and roll legend, John Lennon.

This connects to the theme of the exhibition because John Lennon is one of the famous rock and roll artist from The Beatles. Bob Gruen was a well known photographer for many rock and roll artists in his era.  I chose this photo of Lennon because I have always seen this photograph everywhere, such as posters, shirts, cards, etc. Bob Gruen created such a strong photo, and now this photo is considered a legend in photography.

Citations:
"New York Magazine." NYMag.com. Web. 10 Dec. 2012.

"Bob Gruen, Rock and Roll Photographer" John Lennon Photos.Web. 10 Dec. 2012.

Photographer- Linda McCartney

The artist of this work is Linda McCartney. The title of the photograph is called "John and Paul Recording". The Media is a photography. The dimensions are 314px × 474px. The date of this photo is January 1, 1968.

Linda McCartney was born 1941 in New York, New York. She attended University of Arizona completing only two photography classes. She got the best experience to photograph The Beatles. Not only work for the well-known rock and roll band, but also ended up dating one of them. In her photography career, she first started at the Town and Country Magazine. Then soon photographed for Rolling Stones and worked with different artist such as the Mamas and the Papas, Janis Joplin, etc. After having a successful time with these artists, this is when she got the position of a life time, photographer for The Beatles. Throughout her lifetime, she has had mostly ups, but she also battles breast cancer.

"Linda was always searching for the "decisive moment", and here she managed to click the shutter at just the right time, creating an image that not only looks good, but captures her family's characters, too." -Maryann, Rolling Stones Reviewer

Linda McCartney captured the moment of John and Paul recording for album "Abbey Road". It was taken in London during 1968. Linda McCartney wanted the photograph to show emotion, which she achieved. 

This photograph connects to the theme because these two artist are well known for their rock and roll music. Most importantly, the concept of the picture is that it is The Beatles recording their last album! This photo is very important to The Beatles rock and roll music history. Linda McCartney is one of thee famous photographers of this genre's movement. I chose this work because Linda McCartney is one of my favorite artists and every photo of hers has a story behind it, but the photo "John and Paul Recording" is a moment no one can replace in rock and roll history.

Citations:
"Linda McCartney John and Paul Recording, Abbey Road, London, 1968." John and Paul Recording. Web. 9 Dec. 2012.
 "Linda McCartney." Linda McCartney. Web. 9 Dec. 2012