About Bob Gruen
Baby boomers have seen and admired the work of Bob Gruen ever since his initial work with Ike and Tina Turner back in 1970. Since that time, Bob has not only photographed some of the most iconic people in rock music, many of his photos have become iconic, as well.
Bob has been a friend to Boomerocity since 2010 when we first interviewed him (here). The interview was so well received that none other than his dear friend, Yoko Ono, posted it on her website (here). It only seems natural to feature some of his work here on Boomerocity. Whether the images are those you have seen countless times or ones that have rarely been seen by the public, Bob’s photos presented here on Boomerocity will bring back memories and smiles.
You can own your own authorized copy of these and other images by visiting BobGruen.com.
You can also read our other interviews with Bob here and here as well as read more about his accomplishments here.
As Boomerocity viewers and readers already know, we not only like to cover the icons from back in the days of our youths but the influencers as well. We get a huge kick out of covering the movers and shakers that helped shape the culture of our times. This monthly feature exhibits that thrill by featuring the work of a legendary man behind the camera that shot some of the most iconic photos in rock and roll.
This month’s featured photo by our friend, Bob Gruen, is about both the artist and the people behind them. In this case, Labelle and their legendary manager, Vicki Wickham.
I won’t steal Bob’s thunder. You’ll want to hear and see it for yourself by watching the video to the right. I only want to accentuate that Ms. Wickham’s work with the British TV show, Ready Steady Go! is the stuff of legends - here). There’s also a great book about Ready Steady Go! that references Vicki a lot. especially in a male-dominated industry. So much so, that Bob speaks glowingly about her in this video as well as provided a link to a playlist tied to the show (
Watch it. Tell your friends about it. After watching it, please consider ordering your own official copy of this historic photo directly from Bob by clicking here.
Click On The Video Below To Listen To Bob's Story Behind This Iconic Photo!
Click On The Lower Right Corner To Enlarge This Video
You Are At The Right Place With Bob Gruen & Boomerocity!
The foundation of most successful people is being at the right place at the right time. That is certainly the case with our dear friend and renowned rock photographer, Bob Gruen. For over fifty years he has photographically documented the music scene with photographs that have become as iconic as the legendary artists in them.
Over the years, Bob has shared his photographs in a variety of books and Boomerocity is proud to have most of them in its own library. Naturally, with word of yet another amazing book being released by Gruen, we are stoked!
The book is entitled, "Right Place, Right Time: The Life of a Rock & Roll Photographer" (Abrams Press; October 20, 2020). It is Bob’s “first memoir of his winding, adventure-filled journey.” In it he shares with us such stories as his intimate visits to John and Yoko’s apartment in New York City; having backstage access with KISS; being there in the early days with Blondie’s Debbie Harry; being on the bus with the during the ill-fated US tour of the Sex Pistols; being on the road with Ike and Tina Turner; inside CBGB and many other amazing stories.
Of course, no book by Bob Gruen would be complete without him sharing some of his amazing photographs. He does exactly that with some iconic and never-before-published images that offer a unique peek into the last five decades of the evolution of American music culture.
Don’t just take our word for it. Check out what some of Bob’s friends have to say about this book:
“Bob has seen it all, lived the life, and he doesn’t hold back in this book.” —Billie Joe Armstrong
“Bob catches those explosive, signature moments that every photographer hopes to get.” —Debbie Harry
“Bob Gruen has been a witness to many of the greatest moments in rock and roll’s history.” —Jakob Dylan
“Bob is the guy behind the camera who you actually like! He brings out your best cool.” —Iggy Pop
You can order your copy by clicking on the photo of the book at the top. With the holidays just right around the corner, Right Time: The Life of a Rock & Roll Photographer is the perfect gift for that music nut or photography buff on your gift list so go ahead and order extra copies.