What makes a musician transcend the mere sonic realm? Of course, their songs must not only reflect the zeitgeist but also spark a sense of revolution, of marking a before-and-after in both the arts and in society. But also, especially in today’s world, a great public persona and iconic image. It doesn’t need to be over-the-top (although it helps); it can be a pair of sunglasses, a specific haircut, or a smirky face. Los Angeles gallery Fahey/Klein explores the relationship between musicians and photographers in Face the Music: The Legacy of Music Photography until September 7.
From Prince to Bob Dylan, to Sade, Lady Gaga, The Beatles, Janis Joplin, Cher, Nick Cave, Elton John, Billie Holiday, Harry Styles, Madonna, Amy Winehouse, and Whitney Houston, there are very few who make it to the status of legends. And they’re all portrayed in Fahey/Klein’s newest exhibition, which traces the legacy of great musicians and, just as important, great photographers. In most cases, the relationship between those artists resulted in great shots that have made it into the collective consciousness.
For example, when we think of Johnny Cash, Jim Marshall’s portrait of him flipping the bird at Folson Prison comes to mind, capturing Cash’s rebellious and raw spirit. Or when thinking of Ray Charles, it’s also easy that we think of Steve Schapiro’s picture of The Genius smiling in a room full of suited-up businessmen (in the exhibit, there are other photos by Shapiro of queen of country Dolly Parton in the late 1970s or Nina Simone playing the piano in the early 1960s).
As the gallery team explains, “Face the Music is more than a celebration of musical talent; it is a tribute to the power of music to connect people across generations through the shared viewing of iconic photographs.” Who doesn’t remember Grace Jones wearing the infamous Issey Miyake corset captured by Greg Gorman? Or an early Madonna photographed in black and white by Herb Ritts? Or John, Paul, Ringo, and George having the time of their lives in their hotel rooms as young, revolutionary popstars? There are many, many recognisable images and names in this exhibit, so it’s one not to miss this summer.
Harry Styles, Another Magazine, 2016 © Alasdair McLellan, courtesy of Fahey/Klein Gallery, Los Angeles
Tupac Shakur, New York City, 1991 © Albert Watson, courtesy of Fahey/Klein Gallery, Los Angeles
Lady Gaga, Balanced on One Foot with Hat, October, 2018 © Art Streiber, courtesy of Fahey/Klein Gallery, Los Angeles
Gloria Estefan, 1989 © Randee St. Nicholas, courtesy of Fahey/Klein Gallery, Los Angeles
Barbra Streisand, Bel Air, 1991 © Herb Ritts, courtesy of Fahey/Klein Gallery, Los Angeles
Joe Strummer, The Clash, Milan, 1981 © Janette Beckman, courtesy of Fahey/Klein Gallery Los Angeles
Cher, (single frame), Los Angeles, 1973 © Norman Seeff, courtesy of Fahey/Klein Gallery, Los Angeles