Who Shot Rock and Roll?

Today was all about braving the extreme freezing cold and venturing out to park slope brooklyn and over to the museum to check out the exhibit "Who Shot Rock and Roll".
http://www.brooklynmuseum.org/exhibitions/rock_and_roll/
As you may already know I fancy myself to be quite the photographer. Okay perhaps that is really only in my dreams and reality is another thing altogether. I do however love taking photos, and appreciate professional photographers who offer us the rare glimpse into intimate moments with artists and such. In the last few years i have grown more and more interested in becoming in tune with particular photographers unique styles and abilities. The following are my favorite shots from the exhibit which finishes its 3 month run at the Brooklyn Museum this coming sunday.












This MIck Rock photograph was taken of Syd Barrett soon after his departure from Pink Floyd in 1969. This particular shot was one that started my interest in individual style and collections. I first noticed this photo about four years ago while staying at the Roosevelt hotel in West Hollywood and it was located above my bed.














Barry Feinstein had exclusive access to Bob Dylan from 1966 until 1974. What resulted was a collection of black and white prints that allow us the viewer to feel as if we know this folk singer personally. This shot to me is somewhat sad in the sense that this man is trapped and isolated in his own success while the outside world is begging to come crash inside.

The particular story behind this series of four shots is quite fascinating and one that i was not aware of until today. Ed Caraeff was only 17 years old at the time he took these pictures. With little to no experience he somehow found himself with an ideal vantage point of Jimi Hendrix during his iconic performance at the Monterey Pop Festival. Using a roll of film with 36 exposures the fourth shot in the sequence is exposure number 36A. Talk about having a little bit of lady luck on your side. THis photo has gone on to be forever in our minds as a symbol of the 60s musical movement and that of pop culture.


















Having basically shot everyone who is anyone over the course of the last 30 plus years, Barrie Wentzell's work is deserving of an entire blog entry on its own. What can I say about this shot of Elton John other than wow! I f***in love it!














Jim Marshalls shot of Johnny Cash giving us the finger while performing for inmates at San Quentin Prison in 1969. This photograph is the man in black at his most charming and pissed off!























Very few photographers, no matter how exclusive their access is , would be allowed to capture this moment, and then to print it. Kurt Cobain minutes after coming off stage in Seattle. Having just smashed his guitar and amplifier he is so built up with emotion from the moment that he breaks down off stage and tears are shed. Ian Tilton had exclusive access to the band for several years during the height of Nirvana and grunge music. It is so fitting a portrayal of the angst and pent up emotion that Kurt was feeling and releasing all at the same time.















Lynn Goldsmith somehow captured this amazing moment during a Rolling Stones concert in 1978 in Anaheim California. Such a metaphorical picture if you choose to look at this way. After basically pouring his soul out on stage for an hour plus to the thousands of fans in attendance, they in turn give their souls (shoes) back to him.
















What can i say....this photo speaks for itself. I love it!