I like to think that Jim Marshall was just as much of a rockstar as the rockstars he photographed. He lived hard and worked hard and played hard and his lifestyle shows up in the photographs he took.
Marshall was given unprecedented access to these iconic musical figures. He was there with the Stones for their legendary 1972 tour. He was the only photographer allowed access for the Beatles final full concert at San Francisco's Candle Stick Park in 1966. Hell, Bob Dylan even let him hang out with him, which is definitely saying something. He proves that taking good photographs is so much more than choosing the right film and developing the best printing techniques. He must have been a really laid back kinda guy, not afraid to hang out for a good long while before he pulls out his camera. Look at these photographs and how his subjects have invited him into their lives. He proves that half the battle (or half the fun) of taking photographs is forming relationships and trust with people--connecting not as photographer and subject, but as buddies. A rockstar, indeed.
The man himself at Woodstock, 1969.
At a free concert in Golden Gate Park in 1967. Free Hendrix show. Yeesh.
Hendrix on drums. Love it. Marshall was also a lucky guy, I remember reading that he just stumbled onto Hendrix doing sound check before his show and Jimi didn't mind Marshall hanging out. That is when the above picture was taken, as well as the image of Jimi giggling, guitar in hand. I have a hunch those two got along well.
The ultimate bad boy playin' to the bad boys of San Quentin Penitentiary.
'72 y'all
KEITH.Okay, okay, I'll stop posting. If this doesn't make you want to go listen to some rock n' roll, I don't know what will.
Cheers.
n.
