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

Photographer- Elliot Landy

The artist of this work is Elliot Landy. And as for the work, it is called "Bob Dylan, Nashville Skyline". The media type is photography. The dimensions of this photograph is 381px × 550px. The date of when this photo was taken was April 9, 1969.

Elliot Landy was born 1942 in New York. He began photographing for the anti-Vietnam war, along with different underground musicians that resided in his living area from 1967 to 1969. He has documented many classical rock and roll artist throughout his time such as Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, and of course Bob Dylan. Most importantly about Landy, he was set as the main official photographer for Woodstock in 1969. He has had his photographs published and used for covers on important music magazines such as Rolling Stone, musician album covers, etc. 

"This photograph marked a dramatic departure for Dylan." -San Franscisco Art Exchange

This photograph taken by Elliot Landy was taken for Bob Dylan's album cover, Nashville Skyline. It was taken at Bob Dylan's Byrdcliff home. Not only is this photograph a reminder of his album, but also the famous duet with Bob Dylan and John Cash.

With this photo taken by Elliot Landy, it connects it to the "Photographers of the Rock and Roll Artists" because Elliot was known for documenting the movement of this genre through his photography. Landy was the well known photographer at Woodstock, which held many famous classical rock and roll artists during the 60's and 70's. I chose this work because Bob Dylan is one of many of my favorite rock and roll artists. In addition, I know many people who look at this photo and consider it such a create album just this this photograph cover Landy has produced. Elliot Landy gives you an insight of Woodstock's classical rock and roll performances which is important music history today.

Citations:
"Legendary 60's Photographer Elliott Landy's Biography." Legendary 60's Photographer Elliott Landy's Biography. Web. 9 Dec. 2012.
 "Bob Dylan, Nashville Skyline."  San Francisco Art Exchange. Web. 9 Dec. 2012.

Photographer- Terry O'Neill

The artist is Terry O'Neill. The title of this work is "Elton John, Dodger Stadium". The media is photography. The dimensions of this photo are 640px × 424px. The date of this work is October 25, 1975.

Terry O'Neill, the photographer, was born 1938 in London. O'Neill got into photography when he was offered the job in the airline's photographic area. So going into the photography field was unexpected. Once he was able to get to the United States he started to photograph for many stars in Hollywood. O"Neill was even doing shoots for Playboy. Today, he is still carrying his career with the media such as newspapers and magazines.

"The crowd of 75,000, which was record breaking at the LA Dodger Stadium. I think it is a fantastic collectors item!" -Richard Evans, Legendecelebrityart.com

In this photo by Terry O'Neill, shows Elton John leaning on a piano wearing a baseball uniform. It is said that this photo holds the memory of the first two historical concerts ever held at the LA Dodger Stadium.

Terry O'Neill has brought such a memory from the past! With this image he is giving the viewers part of classical rock and roll history. This photo gives me an insight to that Elton John is really considered such a great artist of his time due to the photo O'Neill was able to capture. It connects to the theme because Elton John is just not a push over artist, but one of the talented classical rock and roll artist to be. And O'Neill has proven the point with his photo he presented with the crowd of thousands in front of Elton John. I chose this work because I found it to be amazing of how O'Neill caught the moment that many will remember forever in the history of rock and roll.

Citations:
"Elton John at Dodger Stadium by Terry O'Neill." Photographers Gallery. Web. 9 Dec. 2012
 "Terry O'Neill." Photographers Gallery. Web. 9 Dec. 2012.

Photographer: Mick Rock

The artist of this photo is Mick Rock. The title is "Iggy Pop Backbend". The media is photography. The dimensions are 512px × 729px. The date of this photo is July 15, 1972. 

Mick Rock was born 1949 in London. He attended Caius College, Cambridge and began photographing in 1966, though he was going to study literature. There he met Syd Barrett, founder of Pink Floyd and started to photograph him. Rock started to photograph many famous rock and roll legends such as Bowie and Ronson, Queen, The Sex Pistols, Roxy Music, etc. By 1972, Rock is well known for his talent of photography and captures famous photos from the 1970's movement of music. In fact, Rock is known as "The Man Who Shot the Seventies".

"Shot at Kings Cross Cinema. This set includes the background shot, which is almost as iconic as the cover photo. I have a flood of great images from this one concert, probably my all-time favorite 'live' shoot. Many years later I wrote: 'Iggy was like something caged, and very angry about it. Something dreamed up by Karl Jung. That night I was a fascinated game hunter with a loaded lens.'" -Mick Rock

Mick Rock captured this moment of Iggy Pop during a 1972 London concert showing his oddness and personality onstage.

Mick Rock's photography goes onstage and behind the scenes for famous rock stars. In particular, he shows Iggy Pop and his personality through the photo, "Iggy Pop Backbend". The viewer of this photo can not know anything about Iggy Pop and assume that he is eccentric performer just through this picture. Thanks to Mick Rock, he gives the viewers and fans of these rock and roll bands a sight of the performers lives. I chose this work because Mick Rock shows the character of Iggy Pop and is one of the best photos taken by Rock in my opinion.

Citations:
"Iggy Pop BackBend, London, 1972 - Mick Rock." Artspace. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2012.
 "Mick Rock - Biography." Mick Rock - Biography. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2012.

Photographer- Alfred Wertheimer

The artist of this photo is Alfred Wertheimer. The title of this photo is called "One-Eyed Jack". The media of this photo is photography. The dimensions are 408px × 611px. Lastly, the date of "One-Eyed Jack" is July 4, 1956.

Alfred Wertheimer was born in 1929 and  grew up in Brooklyn. Wertheimer was a struggling 26 year old photojournalist  in New York. Then he was hired by RCA Victor to take photos of newly signed musician, Elvis Presley in 1956. Wertheimer did not know Presley before taking the job because Presley was not an cultural icon yet. He took over 2,500 intimate photographs of the rising musician, Presley. 

"I'm shooting him from about two feet away. It's almost like he's saying 'I've got an eye on you, so watch yourself'" - Alfred Wertheimer 

This quote was cited from the website elvis.com.

Alfred Wertheimer took this photo two hours outside from Memphis heading home. Alfred said this is one of his favorite photos of the rock star.

This connects to the theme because it is a photo, taken by Alfred Werhteimer, of one of the famous musicians in history today! Elvis Presley's name is not "King of Rock 'N' Roll" for nothing. Alfred Wertheimer was the main photographer for Presley and was able to photograph the beginning of a rock and roll star. Alfred Wertheimer is able to present history of music through his talent and photos.

Citations:

"Elvis 1956." Elvis 1956. Web. 10 Dec. 2012.

 "Interview With Photographer Alfred Wertheimer." Elvis Presley News. Web. 10 Dec. 2012.

Photographer: Robert Altman

The photographer of this photo is Robert Altman. He named this photo "Tina Turner, November 1969". The media of this piece of art is photography. The dimensions of "Tina Turner, November 1969" is 352px × 483px. Lastly, this photograph was taken October 4, 1969.

The American photographer, Robert Altman, started photographing after attending Hunter College in New York during the 60's and 70's. Altman was taught on how to take photos by Ansel Adams and his career boomed from there. Altman became the head staff photographer for the Rolling Stones Magazine and published many of his famous photos in various types of media. Later on, Altman expanded his photography skills to fashion and fine art. Altman's famous photographs can be found in different collections such as the Kodak Rock Photography, the Library of Congress, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and The Smithsonian.

"Robert Altman captured sex-on-heels dynamo Tina Turner unleashing her primal rock intensity in a revealing macramé skirt and bikini top in 1969..."- Rock Paper Photo

This photograph taken by Robert Altman was taken at The Gold Rush Festival. With this amazing photo capturing rock and roll singer Tina Turner in all motion made it's way to become popular. "Tina Turner, November 1969", made it on the cover of the Rolling Stone magazine. It was a great accomplishment for noted photographer, Robert Altman.

This connects to the theme because Tina Turner is a big part of the classic rock movement during the 60's and early 70's. She was one of many few woman to perform in this genre, and made her way to become well known. Altman took many photos of different rock stars, but made "Tina Turner, November 1969" photograph a hit with his skillful, passion for photography. This photograph gives the viewers an insight to the musicians sense of style and on-set emotions, thanks to the special photographer, Robert Altman.

Citations:
 "Robert Altman." Morrison Hotel Gallery. Web. 10 Dec. 2012.
 "RollingStone Cover Series RockPaperPhoto." Rock Photography. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2012.

Conclusion

When it comes down to creating and organizing an exhibition, the important question is what interest you the most. I created a blog based off different artists who are in the visual field of photography of Rock N' Roll. I have always loved the classical rock and roll music composed by such talented artist, but the photographers who capture the moments of these rock stars makes my admiration for them more tangible. Through research of organizing my exhibition, I learned more about the photographers lives and relationships with their photos and the musicians. What came naturally when creating the "Photographers of Rock and Roll Artists" exhibition was creating the theme due to the my passion for photography, but mostly the genre of music I love. But the most challenging part of organizing the exhibit was picking only ten legendary photos over one another. There are so many inspiring photographs that have been taken by accomplished photographers that I wish to add to my exhibition.

After creating and organizing the "Photographers of Rock and Roll Artists", it makes me appreciate the photographers much more. But it makes me feel accomplished after researching and gathering information on the various photographers and their famous photos of talented musicians. Without the photographers we would have never caught such important moments of the musicians lives. I will be able to present this blog to people who appreciate classical rock 'n' roll, but make the viewers also appreciate the photographers and their inspired work. In conclusion, when researching various musicians photos by the famous rock 'n' roll photographers, I discovered that these photographer's goals are to present the rock 'n' roll era to the present. In addition, to provide the history and memory of rock culture throughout time.