Jim Marshall is the ultimate rock roll photographera man who began shooting during San Franciscos acid rock heyday and never stopped; a man Annie Leibovitz once called the rock roll photographer. His outsized personality and penchant for fast living have given him a special rapport with musicians and enabled him to get candid, revealing shots. Not Fade Away collects the best of Marshalls photography for the first timeand gives us a memorable visual history of the rock roll era that is unprecedented in its intimacy, immediacy, and impact.
This is more than just a "picture book." Marshall taps into his nostalgic encounters with the gods and goddesses of rock and blues of the '60s, while offering brief insights about his photography techniques. The captions unmask conversations long past, and offer an untrodden glimpse of megastars such as Jimi Hendrix and Janice Joplin in their glory days. Marshall believes in simplicity (he only uses natural light), honesty (he never stages a photo shoot), and respect for all his subjects (he always gets permission before he publishes a photo). He singlehandedly made me rethink the art of photography. Worth a look for all those who believe they were born in the wrong generation, as I do.
Great photos from an era where photographers had easy access to the musicians. Marshall was one of the best, and his photos are great, but it's great just to have a look back at the stars of the era. Photos are both portraits and casual shots. Each photo in accompanied by a paragraph or two of explanation.