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 the seventies were ending, a little band was formed in London. The band’s name was inspired by an R&B hit that Sam Cooke covered titled, “The Great Pretender.” Thus, The Pretenders were born.
The band went on to record such hits as Brass In Pocket, Back On The Chain Gang, I’ll Stand By You, My City Was Gone (which, oddly enough, was used as the theme song for the Rush Limbaugh Show), Talk of the Town, Precious, Middle of the Road, Don’t Get Me Wrong, 2,000 Miles, and Boots of Chinese Plastic.
Those hits were the foundation for the band to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005. The Pretenders are still cranking out music with the band having released their latest album, Hate For Sale, last year.
Chrissie Hynde, lead singer and front-person for the band, is the only remaining original member of the Pretenders. As has often been the case in his storied career, legendary rock photographer and Boomerocity friend, Bob Gruen, was photographing the band before they were a huge musical influence. This month’s featured photo, a 1979 image of Chrissie Hynde, is evidence of that.
In the video on the right of this page, Bob shares exclusively with Boomerocity followers his history in following The Pretenders and his relationship with them.
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.