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Tribute to Jim Marshall: Rock ‘n’ Roll Royalty

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Rock-and-roll photographer Jim Marshall died on Tuesday at the age of 74. If you’re not familiar with the man himself, you’ve certainly seen his work: he was an official photographer of the Woodstock Festival, the only photographer allowed backstage at the Beatles’ final concert in 1966,  and he shot more than 500 album covers. Marshall was known to gain intimate access to the musicians, sometimes even going so far as to live with them, in order to create truly vulnerable portraits. He continued to work after the days of psychedelics and electric guitars, and more recently worked with the likes of John Mayer and Ben Harper.  Marshall was scheduled to promote his new book Match Prints this week, written with fellow photographer Timothy White.

Just as the music lives on, we know that Marshall’s photographs will prevail as iconic cultural images. A roundup of some of our favorite shots after the jump.

“Too much bullshit is written about photographs and music. Let the music move you, whether to a frenzy or a peaceful place. Let it be what you want to hear—not what others say is popular. Let the photograph be one you remember—not for its technique but for its soul. Let it become a part of your life—a part of your past to help shape your future. But most of all, let the music and the photograph be something you love and will always enjoy.” — Marshall

Jimi, Arm Outstretched (1967)

I approached Jimi and told him my name was Jim Marshall – that I was one of the photographers. He made some comment like, ‘Far out, man, maybe this shit is supposed to be,’ and I asked what he meant. He said the dude who made his amps was named Jim Marshall, and smart-ass me says, ‘Yeah, I know that.’ But then he said, ‘What you d0n’t know is that my middle name is Marshall.’” — Marshall

Ray Charles Recording (1962)

“He was trying to see who that person was, and understanding that we care about these people with the way that they touch our lives with music.” -Gail Buckland, curator of the Brooklyn Museum’s “Who Shot Rock & Roll: A Photographic History, 1955 to the Present

Dylan Kicking A Tire (1963)

“This particular photo was taken one Sunday morning when Bobby, his girlfriend Suze Rotolo, Dave Van Ronk, and Terri Van Ronk were all going to breakfast in New York. Just two frames were shot – no big deal – but I feel it shows Bob was still a kid in 1963.” — Marshall

Janis Lounging with Southern Comfort (1968)

“When I showed Janis the picture of her lying back with the bottle in her hand, she said, ‘Jim, this is how it is sometimes. Lousy.’ Some people said I shouldn’t have published the picture of her lying back with the bottle in her hand, but I’ll defend it to the death. It’s an honest picture, and Janis liked it.” — Marshall

Cash Flipping the Bird (1969)

“His record company is still using it [the above shot]. It shows John’s individuality, but the gesture was definitely done in jest. John’s got a great sense of humor and this was not a serious shot.” — Marshall


Mick Backstage (1972)

“As a human being and as an artist, he [Marshall] has never shied away from honesty. His style is very ‘in your face,’ and yet he inspires trust and confidence in the people he photographs, and the shared intimacy is caught in a millisecond. And there it is. Forever.” — Michael Douglas

Janis and Her Psychedelic Porsche (1968)

“She [Janis] was wonderful, not the prettiest girl in the world but she was not afraid of the camera. I could’ve shot her anytime at all ‘go ahead baby and take a picture.’ Janis was very important to me, real and honest.” — Marshall

Zeppelin, LA (1970)

“I was shooting Led Zeppelin for Atlantic records at the Hyatt House in 1970. The group shot was taken on the top floor of the hotel, to get all four of them together at one time was a job, I just had available light and got some portraits of each of them by the window.” — Marshall

The Beatles Descending From Plane (1966)

“I do see the music. This ‘career’ has never been just a job – it’s been my life.” — Marshall

Miles in Boxing Ring (1971)

“At Newman’s Gym, Miles [Davis] used to work out. He used to box with guys, ‘Don’t hit me in the mouth, I gotta play tonight.’” — Marshall

Share your thoughts on the man behind the lens below.

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Comments (12)

I met Jim Marshall in 1975 backstage in Golden Gate Park at a Grateful Dead Concert! I had just arrived in SF to study Photography at the San Francisco Art Institute and heard on the radio Free Concert in the Park.
After talking my way backstage, I saw this photographer with all these Lecia camera’s around his neck and asked him if I could be his assistant and learn from him. He gave me his phone # and he helped me get my first photo published in Rolling Stone Magazine while still in Art School. He taught me to copyright all my images and to respect the music artist when photographing them. We briefly shared a studio together above his apartment on Union St, until it got too crazy! He was a wild man photographer and famous people where always dropping by to see Jim. He taught me everything about the business of Photography! I would call him anytime when I had a question! He was always willing to help a young photographer! He will be greatly missed!

I wrote a quick post about Jim’s passing. I knew of Jim Marshall before I knew who he was. I had always admired these music photos that all had one thing in common – they were Jim’s works.

My favorite work of Jim Marshall’s was when he shot the Allmans brothers. There is a picture of Duane playing a Les Paul all by himself in the bathroom of a hotel. Jim captures the absolute, the person, no bs. I will miss him.

[...] Impossible IV, movies, music, photography, Roger Ebert, Saul Bass, The Strokes, Tron, tv – A photographic tribute (including the above one of Johnny Cash) to famed rock and roll photographer Jim Marshall, who died [...]

Amongst all the recording studios, musicians and stuff I’ve done over the past 20 years, I’ve represented as a PR man or a manager – photographers my entire career – never Jim though. And that was what I set out to do when I started.

Damn it Jim. So soon?

People from a far distant past. Might as well be pictures of Woodrow Wilson to me.

Jim had a show @ Duncan Miller Gallery a little over a year ago, he was someone I had always wanted to meet. I borrowed a friend’s Leica M8 knowing Jim was a Leica shooter. Sure enought within 10 mintues he approached me wanting to check out the M8 and we talked a little. I have some photos of Jim with some of the prints he had on display there, he was friendly and very approachable. I’m glad I got the photos when I did-I was hoping to meet him again sometime. Farewell Dude we loved your photos.

Hey Today–

People who don’t know the past are doomed to repeat it.

[...] But most of all, let the music and the photograph be something you love and will always enjoy. Jim Marshall. 1936-2010, [...]

Hey TODAY — Kate is right. Wonder why you’re so proud of your ignorance, and blithely disrespectful of history (esp. cool history).

In 40 years your grandchildren will have the same blase reaction to pics of Lady Gaga and Maroon 5 or whomever and you’ll be aghast…

[...] But most of all, let the music and the photograph be something you love and will always enjoy. Jim Marshall. 1936-2010, [...]

Great shot of Janis in San Francisco / Palace of Fine Arts (when it was still a wooden structure)

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