Photo Essay—Bob Gruen—Rock and Roll Images
Last week I was fortunate enough to see a BBC documentary on the New York Rock and Roll photographer Bob Gruen. Bob is one of the most well-known and respected photographers in rock and roll. He has captured the music scene for over forty years in photographs that have gained worldwide recognition.
Shortly after John Lennon moved to New York in 1971, Bob became John and Yoko’s personal photographer and friend, making photos of their working life as well as private moments. In 1974 he created the iconic images of John Lennon wearing a New York City t-shirt and standing in front of the Statue of Liberty making the peace sign – two of the most popular of Lennon’s images.
As chief photographer for Rock Scene Magazine in the ’70s, Bob specialized in candid, behind the scenes photo features.
Ramones on stage at CBGB’s, NYC. April 1979. © Bob Gruen /
http://www.bobgruen.com Please contact Bob Gruen’s studio to purchase a print or license this photo. email:
websitemail01@aol.com phone: 212-691-0391 R-376_Ramones_Live1979_Gruen
In the documentary Bob lamented not achieving the technical skill of studio photographers. However the artists that he photographed testified to his knack for capturing the emotional climax that set him apart from his peers. Part of his skill was in befriending and accompanying his subjects so that they relaxed and acted more naturally in front of his camera.
(L-R) John Paul Jones, John Bonham, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin in front of plane in NY. June 24, 1973. © Bob Gruen /
http://www.bobgruen.com Please contact Bob Gruen’s studio to purchase a print or license this photo. email:
websitemail01@aol.com phone: 212-691-0391
Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones on stage at MSG, NYC. July 24, 1972. © Bob Gruen /
http://www.bobgruen.com Please contact Bob Gruen’s studio to purchase a print or license this photo. email:
websitemail01@aol.com phone: 212-691-0391
Mick Jagger and Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones close up on stage at MSG, NYC. July 24, 1972. © Bob Gruen /
http://www.bobgruen.com Please contact Bob Gruen’s studio to purchase a print or license this photo. email:
websitemail01@aol.com phone: 212-691-0391
Freddie Mercury of Queen on stage at MSG, NYC. February 1977. © Bob Gruen /
http://www.bobgruen.com Please contact Bob Gruen’s studio to purchase a print or license this photo. email:
websitemail01@aol.com phone: 212-691-0391
Elton John on stage with legs in the air at Fillmore East, NYC. April 9, 1971. © Bob Gruen /
http://www.bobgruen.com Please contact Bob Gruen’s studio to purchase a print or license this photo. email:
websitemail01@aol.com phone: 212-691-0391
Alice Cooper with snake on stage at MSG, NYC. June 3, 1973. © Bob Gruen /
http://www.bobgruen.com Please contact Bob Gruen’s studio to purchase a print or license this photo. email:
websitemail01@aol.com phone: 212-691-0391
Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones in a crouch on stage at MSG, NYC. November 1981. © Bob Gruen /
http://www.bobgruen.com Please contact Bob Gruen’s studio to purchase a print or license this photo. email:
websitemail01@aol.com phone: 212-691-0391
Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones on stage with hunched shoulders at MSG, NYC. November 1981. © Bob Gruen /
http://www.bobgruen.com Please contact Bob Gruen’s studio to purchase a print or license this photo. email:
websitemail01@aol.com phone: 212-691-0391
Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin with doubleneck guitar on stage at MSG, NYC. February 1975. © Bob Gruen /
http://www.bobgruen.com Please contact Bob Gruen’s studio to purchase a print or license this photo. email:
websitemail01@aol.com phone: 212-691-0391
(L-R) Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin with violin bow on stage at MSG, NYC. June 1977. © Bob Gruen /
http://www.bobgruen.com Please contact Bob Gruen’s studio to purchase a print or license this photo. email:
websitemail01@aol.com phone: 212-691-0391
Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones on stage at Baton Rouge, LA. June 1, 1975. © Bob Gruen /
http://www.bobgruen.com Please contact Bob Gruen’s studio to purchase a print or license this photo. email:
websitemail01@aol.com phone: 212-691-0391
Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones kneeling on stage at The Beacon Theatre, NYC. February 1993. © Bob Gruen /
http://www.bobgruen.com Please contact Bob Gruen’s studio to purchase a print or license this photo. email:
websitemail01@aol.com phone: 212-691-0391
David Bowie performing on stage at Radio City Music Hall, NYC. 1974. © Bob Gruen /
http://www.bobgruen.com Please contact Bob Gruen’s studio to purchase a print or license this photo. email:
websitemail01@aol.com phone: 212-691-0391
Sid Vicious of The Sex Pistols at The Taliesyn Ballroom in Memphis, TN. January 1978. © Bob Gruen /
http://www.bobgruen.com Please contact Bob Gruen’s studio to purchase a print or license this photo. email:
websitemail01@aol.com phone: 212-691-0391
Mick Jagger and Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones with Mick holding heart on stage at The Palladium, NYC. June 1978. © Bob Gruen /
http://www.bobgruen.com Please contact Bob Gruen’s studio to purchase a print or license this photo. email:
websitemail01@aol.com phone: 212-691-0391
In the spring of 2007 FAAP University in Sao Paulo, Brazil presented an exhibition of Bob Gruen’s work. Titled ROCKERS, the exhibition attracted 40,000 visitors.
Bob’s “Sid Vicious with Hot Dog” photo was acquired by The National Portrait Gallery, London, in 1999 for their permanent collection.
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