Jim Marshall, one of the most famous rock and roll photographers of the twentieth century, died last Tuesday at age 74.
Jim Marshall took some of
the most iconographic images of rock and roll music during the 1960s and 70s. He was the only photographer allowed backstage at the Beatles' last concert, and was chief photographer of Woodstock. Known for his forceful personality, and decisive moment photography, Jim Marshall was a man who managed to, as his website put it, "be everywhere—that mattered" (MarshallPhoto.com)
Johnny Cash
Read on to see some of Jim Marshall's most famous photographs and to read more about the prolific artist.
As a young man, Marshall discovered photography in high school and began his
career taking pictures of local bands around his home town, San Francisco. One day, through random chance, Marshall gave a
ride to jazz star John Coltrane. In exchange for the ride, Coltrane allowed Marshall to shoot 9 rolls of film. Marshall then went to work for Atlantic and Columbia records in New York, where he began shooting such artists as Bob Dylan and Ray Charles. In the late 60s, however, Marshall returned to S
an Francisco. It was this time when he began taking some of his most memorable photographs, shooting The Grateful Dead, Santana, Janis Joplin, and Jefferson Airplane. As a photographer, he was loved and trusted by artists, who gave him unique access to photographic opportunities. For example, Janis Joplin and Grace Slick agreed to pose for a shoot for Marshall, despite the fact that they Bob Dylan
were considered to be rivals at the time.
Grace Slick and Janis Joplin
Later in life, Jim Marshall photographed artists like John Mayer, Lenny Kravitz, and Ben Harper. Marshall had a deep passion for his work that translated readily onto film, capturing images that will forever be remembered in rock and roll history, and, in a sense, capturing rock and roll itself.
Jimi Hendrix
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