One of the most iconic photographers of the rock era with an eye for bringing out the humanity in oft-mysterious stars, Jim Marshall was the chief photographer at Woodstock, shot the Beatles' final ticketed concert and captured one of the most beloved Bob Dylan photos of all time. Amelia Davis' new book, Jim Marshall: Show Me the Picture, includes legendary shots and some previously unseen photos from the late talent.
Jim Marshall’s images have become a visual diary of the rebellious and revolutionary spirit of the genre.
Throughout his illustrious career, American photographer Jim Marshall(1936-2010) defined the look of rock and roll. His images helped turned the genre into a revolutionary movement which went against the oppressive power structure of the status quo.
From the San Francisco Chronicle (Datebook)
By Sam Whiting
It is impossible to predict when the Rolling Stones will play the Bay Area for the last time. But what is known for sure is when the band played here the first time. It was May 14, 1965, and the omnipresent photographer Jim Marshall was there with his Leica, standing at the back of the stage — where he liked to be — as the band played the San Francisco Civic Auditorium.
Jim Marshall had an all-access pass with some of the 20th century’s greatest musicians.
He was the photographer when Johnny Cash flicked off the camera at San Quentin State Prison. He was backstage with Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin. He toured with the Rolling Stones and photographed the Beatles’ final paid concert.
“He was one of the pioneers of music photography,” said Amelia Davis, Marshall’s longtime assistant. “People have called him pretty much the godfather of rock ‘n’ roll photography.”
Celebrating its 50th anniversary in August, the Woodstock music festival is often, with the benefit of hindsight, hailed as an example of what can go right when hundreds of thousands of young, stoned music fans assemble—in stark contrast to the Altamont Speedway Free Festival just a few months later, where four people died. Here, we round up new, forthcoming, and older releases and reissues, which give adults and young readers a window onto the three-day event in Bethel, N.Y., and the larger culture that gave rise to it.
