Rolling Stone: The Photographs

by Laurie Kratochvil (Editor), Tom Wolfe (Foreword by), Jann S. Wenner

A collection of photographs from Rolling Stone magazine features familiar shots of such celebs as Jagger, Nicholson, Madonna, Brando, Bowie, Mailer, Reagan, Belushi, Eastwood. Reprint.

Genres: Photography, Art, Music, Nonfiction

192 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1989

Reviews

[Karen-Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous history

[J.D. Steens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though, it’s another book off the library sales rack, this - great cover photos and photo shoots of, mainly, USA cultural personages from the 1960s-80s - is probably a collectors’ item.

A lot of effort went into taking these shots - photo shoots - to display these figures in just the right way. Thus, for example, a great photo of the then famous Don Johnson in his white sports coat and pants in the Atlantic surf was meant to reveal “the actor’s steely cool.” The Leibovitz photo of Liberace and his chauffeur (punctuated with matching smiles) and car express the over-the-top (in a good way) style that made him famous. Two photos of Jack Nicholson all captured that toothy, rascal smile of his that made him a 1970s icon (one of them was taken with a magnifying lens over his open mouth).

While I’d say that these particular photos are outstanding, stand-alone photos, it does raise a question about the ephemeral nature of the photos in this book. In time, people will not know who these people are. It’s even more so for the others in this book. But the Tom Wolfe introduction pulls out the essence of many of these photos and puts the book back on the shelf for the ages: They capture an age where “the notion of glamour began to involve a calculated disdain for propriety.”

[John Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

The instant classic and definitive collection of iconic RocknRoll images.

[Ed Zaremba · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another interesting picture book. This one loaded with celebrity pix, everyone from rock stars to movie stars to sports. Particularly liked photos by Annie Leibovitz.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

A random book found with some fascinating photographs.
I was delighted to find George Harrison and Mikhail Baryshnikov.

[mink · Rating 5 out of 5]

a cool find i found for free while on a walk home!!! made great room decor!!!

[kate]

my subscription to rolling stone got me through a period of exile in a red state heartland of utter self absorption.

the magazine's music coverage is actually the last reason why I read it religiously. its coverage of the war on drugs and political pieces offer a perspective you just don't hear in the comfortable news delivered in safe tones between 5 and 6pm. And the writing is generally funny & generally good.

also, the photography is amazing. The magazine is likely the reason why I love photography. I found this book on sale because some wonderful person had ripped it open and mucked up some pages and thus, my cheap streak and my love of photography were simultaneously satisfied.

pop culture and the heightened world of rock stars are captured in 35 years of selected shots from some of the best photographers of their era. some photos are perfect (pete townsend and his bleeding fingers/janis joplin looking lost backstage, nursing a bottle of jack daniels) moments of their subject. great coffee table book.

[KennyO · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a dynamite cultural touchstone for the last 35 years of the twentieth century. Full page photos of (mostly) celebrities of all stripes by photographers who are stars in their own right, like Annie Liebovitz and Herb Ritts. Put it on a coffee table if you must but it would be better enjoyed on a dictionary stand.

[angrykitty · Rating 5 out of 5]

when i used to draw, i used to use rolling stone photos all the time. this book was great. then, one day, i was at the mall and saw all these pictures like the ones i was doing, and i thought...well shit....there goes that.