The rock and roll era of photography is one of the most highly regarded genres in the medium. These images not only allow fans to appreciate artists in their natural elements but also serve as important documents that chronicle the transformative decades of the music industry. They are essential in charting a band’s journey from their early days to the ultimate success and glory they achieved. An example of this is the upcoming photo book by Jim Marshall, which chronicles the journey of the psychedelic rock n roll band, The Grateful Dead.
The lead image is by Jim Marshall, courtesy of Chronicle Books. Used with permission.
Titled The Grateful Dead by Jim Marshall: Photos and Stories from the Formative Years, 1966–1977, the photo book is packed with several unseen moments of the bands. Not only does The Grateful Dead give fans a glimpse into the formative years of their career, but also their rise to fame, and international stardom. The latter was the time when the band was actually breaking boundaries and creating music that was unheard of at that time. In fact, their fame further rose during their tour and live performances, which are now considered iconic in the music industry.
The Grateful Dead by Jim Marshall includes over 200 color and black-and-white photographs of the band and its members. The images, many of which never saw the light of the day before, were actually chosen from over 10,000 pictures captured by Marshall during his career. From images of their stadium-quaking performances for millions of people to intimate, often personal moments shared between the members during rehearsal, as well as instances with their friends and families, are all part of the new publication. The book also depicts not just the band’s improvisational style but also how well Marshall understood them, their idiosyncracies, and the bond he built with them over the years. For the band, he was not only a photographer, but a peer and a friend. For instance, Marshall captured some exceptional moments at Woodstock, the Newport Pop Festival, the last free concert on Haight Street, and the Human Be‐In, which are etched in our public consciousness.
I like to shoot something that is emotionally exciting and people that are visually exciting. When the music is right, when the access is right and the light is good, I really get off on it. I’ll only photograph people I like. You couldn’t pay me enough to photograph someone I didn’t like or an event I didn’t want to go to.
Jim Marshall
Sixty years after their formation, the band continues to inspire people today. The photo book’s launch coincides with the 60th anniversary of the Grateful Dead’s founding. The book is also a posthumous tribute to Marshall, who passed away in 2010. The Grateful Dead by Jim Marshall has been curated by Amelia Davis and David Gans and also features text by five experts on music, photography, and the Dead, as well as an afterword by guitarist John Mayer. Furthermore, fans will also find quotes and comments scattered across its pages from other photographers, musicians, as well as members of the extended Grateful Dead family.
If you are familiar with Jim Marshall’s work, you know the high caliber of his photography. For those who are not, he has collaborated with legendary bands and artists such as Johnny Cash, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, the Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Carlos Santana, and many others. His photographs are renowned in the rock and roll world for offering an intense, complex, and intimate glimpse into the lives of some of the most iconic artists of all time. The Grateful Dead by Jim Marshall is yet another significant addition to his legacy, which should be cherished and considered for purchase by any fan of the band or the photographer.
The Grateful Dead by Jim Marshall is available for purchase on Chronicle Books’ website.
