Rock `n` Roll Photographer, Jim Marshall, Dies at 74
“When I`m photographing people, I don`t like to give any direction. There are no hair people fussing around, no makeup artists. I`m like a reporter, only with a camera; I react to my subject in their environment, and if it`s going well, I get so immersed in it that I become one with the camera.” Not Fade Away-Jim Marshall
Jim Marshall was found dead at the W Hotel in New York on Wednesday, March 24th. Jim was 74 and was in New York to promote a new book, Match Prints, a collection of his photographs that he did in collaboration with a friend, Timothy White. Some of his photographs are so famous, that they practically helped to define the star. The shot of Hendrix setting his guitar on fire at Monterey Pop is a good example.
His approach was natural, and he often shot in black and white. He shunned theatrics or staging and saw himself as more of a reporter, just trying to capture the moment. I like the one of Janis Joplin gripping a bottle of Southern Comfort. Now that`s a moment. Jim did as many as 500 record covers also. I would like to look over (need a refresher course) these covers.
One wonders how a photograph can help to ignite the career of a rock star? If the photo is good enough, it will be published in magazines and shown on TV. And nowadays it will spread like wildfire on the internet. But ultimately, the shot has to elicit some sort of emotion from the viewer. Just look at Johnny Cash shooting the bird at San Quentin State Prison. If you don`t feel something from that, then you must be dead! (source-The New York Times-Jim Marshall, Rock `n` Roll Photographer, Dies at 74 by Ben Sisario-March 25, 2010) *(above left my photo of a photo of Jim Marshall by Jeffrey Scales/HSP Archive)
Top Ten Valentine Love Songs
10. Let`s Get It On-Marvin Gaye 1973 Saw Marvin Gaye live, girls were throwing bouquets of flowers on the stage.
9. (They long to be) Close To You-Carpenters 1970 Still sing this one in my sleep.
8. You Are So Beautiful-Joe Cocker 1975 Still think Joe was the best at Woodstock!
7. This Guys in Love with You-Herb Albert 1968 This takes me back to my days as an usher at AMC Theaters.
6. My Girl-Temptations 1965 This one was on the juke box at the Knox Street Pub (Dallas); I was a regular in the late 1970s. They had great Valentine`s Day parties!
5. The Letter-Box Tops 1967 Written by Alex Chilton, just a great song to sing along with.
4. And I Love Her-The Beatles 1964 From Hard Day`s Night, magic melody.
3. Happy Together-Turtles 1967 Used over and over again in movies and on TV.
2. Ring of Fire-Johnny Cash 1963 A real love tale of Johnny Cash and June Carter. Honky-mariachi tune…
1. I Think I Love You-Partridge Family 1970 A+ for campy passé wholesomeness. Revive it and you are stricken with Cupid`s Arrow. 1970s television sitcoms will do it to you…What are your ten favorite love songs?