Yesterday, I decided to surprise my partner in crime with a trip over to the Currier Museum of Art. See, the Currier is having a special exhibition this Autumn that showcases never-before-seen photos of pretty much every legend of rock and roll since Carl Perkins. Led Zeppelin, Jim Morrison, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, REM, Arethra Franklin, Kris Kristofferson, The Byrds...the list goes on and on!
As photographers, we always love to look upon the work that inspires us. Jesse, in particular, is a really great concert photographer so I knew she would enjoy this display. I was right.
Featuring over 175 photos - most of them poster-sized -, this exhibit features out-takes from staged photo shoots, previously unused tour photos and many candid moments. Take for example a powerful photo of Kurt Cobain sitting against a tub sobbing his heart out over who knows what. Or David Bowie eating lunch in a diner in England. Or Iggy Pop seated in a chair under a framed painting of Jesus - who Iggy eerily resembles in the photo.
Several pictures of Debbie Harry (think Blondie) adorn the walls and reflect her relationships with various rockers over the years. Grace Jones looks out from one photo as powerful as ever while Courtney Love applies her make-up over a rundown bathroom's sink in another photo. In yet another display, a young James Brown shows off his trademark split in one photo while, in another photo, a slightly older Brown plays a grand piano in a large room singing an obviously soulful tune.
I won't even try to describe every great photo in this blog - there's just too many and my words won't do them justice. If you have some time to kill and you find yourself in the Manchester area between now and January 15, 2012, be sure to stop in to the Currier and take in this magnificent photographic journey through rock and roll history!
http://www.currier.org/nowonview.aspx
For 603 Media Group,
Jeremy Jones
jeremy@603mediagroup.com
