Long Live Rock!
In the music world, there are some people who have it, and some who don’t. Danny Clinch, rock photographer extraordinaire certainly has got it! Danny made his way down to Art Basel in Miami where Morrison Hotel® Gallery introduced guests to his latest book of fine art music photography – Danny Clinch: Still Moving (Abrams). This collection features everything from portraits to ultra-candid shots of some of the biggest names in music, and the forward by Bruce Springsteen is an amazing tribute by one of the star subjects in the book.
© Danny Clinch/Morrison Hotel Gallery
Danny Clinch: Still Moving is broken down into several chapters which allow rock fans a seldom-seen window into the personal lives of the musicians featured in his photographs.
Documentary is an introspective journey into images that reflect on the souls of the subjects. The backgrounds afford the viewer with bonus information on the musicians, as if we are being privy a secret part of their lives. His use of black and white tones drawing us in, forcing us to wonder what lurks in the shadows.
Friends & Family reflected the more happy-go-lucky inside world of the chosen musicians incorporating more familiar glances and gestures throughout the chapter. Backstage on the other hand, introduces us to the hectic pace that musicians face day in and day out, working to retain the admiration of their fans. Grind over glamor. From here, the set flows seamlessly into Live with action shots of nothing but pure, rock and roll adrenaline. From massive stadiums, to castles, warm-up sessions – this, is what it’s all about.
Portraits, which takes up almost half of the book, is my personal favorite section of the book. Clinch’s camera is able to pick up nuances about his subject that make him the icon of music photography that he undeniably is. His subjects, and the stories that they tell in his images don’t overtly shock you into looking at them. Instead, they hypnotize you into the subtle folds of each picture.
© Danny Clinch/Morrison Hotel Gallery
As a fan of all things music, I can confidently say that this is one of those books that will do more than just grace a shelf in my house. This is one that I will enjoy. For a long, long, time.
I was able to meet Danny, along with Peter Blachley, one of the founders of Morrison Hotel® Gallery (MHG), which has locations in SoHo, the Meatpacking District, Manhasset, NY, and, West Hollywood, CA, at the Dream Hotel. MHG represents 90 of today’s premier music photographers, and also has an extensive archive of rock and roll photographs spanning decades of amazing musical careers.
Photo courtesy of Dream Hotel South Beach
Blachley brought a retrospective of photographs that included the iconic Jim Morrison, American Poet portrait, Billie Holiday, Kurt Cobain, Phish, and more. He also introduced Miami to the incredible self-portraits of one of rocks legends, Stevie Nicks. The portraits, titled 24 Karat Gold were taken using a Polaroid camera, 1975 to 1987, and show us a side of her that is rarely shared in public.
© Stevie Nicks/Morrison Hotel Gallery
So that’s how it was, when, for one night in South Beach, I was more than just a groupie. I was there, watching it all unfold. And loving every minute of it.
* Erin attended this event for editorial purposes. She purchased the book because it’s that awesome. Her opinions are solely her own.
