I like this Jim Marshall quote: “I worked hard but I never really considered it work. I always enjoyed myself and only took an assignment if I had complete control and access. My reputation was such that managers didn’t f*ck with me. I had the trust of the artist. I would work with them and they knew I wouldn’t f*ck around or do anything they didn’t like.” What a badass. Click through the tabs above to see some photos from this legendary photographer.
Marshall passed on in 2010, but his work lives on: a spectacular collection of his photos opens today at New York’s Steven Kasher Gallery. His pictures demonstrate intimate access with a roster of game-changing artists ranging from jazz greats like Miles Davis, to folk legends like Bob Dylan and larger than life rock ‘n’ roll stars such as Janis Joplin, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Jimi Hendrix.
The guy owned his art with a fierceness that we can all aspire to. Extreme? Perhaps. But it’s that attitude that won the trust of his subjects and made these incredible images possible. Most of these shots are not staged. Trust is the most valuable currency when working with your subjects – especially fellow artists. I have experienced this in my own work with my Songs For Eating and Drinking project. No crowd, no managers, just artists at a table sharing good food and music.
It’s only rock’n’roll – but I like it.