Rock's 'accidental photographer' wins lifetime achievement prize

September 27, 2023 9:07 AM

One of the most famous photographers of whom you may not have heard -- but whose work you likely have seen -- Henry Diltz, is being honored with a lifetime achievement award. Diltz has shot more than 250 album covers and thousands of publicity shots in the ‘60s and ‘70s.

Diltz has photographed most of the biggest names in rock over the last 50+ years including Paul & Linda McCartney, Ringo Starr, George Harrison, Jim Morrison and The Doors, Joni Mitchell, CSN (and Y), Janis Joplin, Jerry Garcia, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt, Bonnie Raitt, Jimi Hendrix, Canned Heat, Buffalo Springfield, The Loving Spoonful, Blondie, Joe Cocker, The Rolling Stones, Chuck Berry, Dan Fogelberg, Jackson Browne, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Monkees, Kurt Cobain, Chris Cornell, Eddie Vedder, Chris Isaak, Mamas and the Papas, The Who, Led Zeppelin, David Cassidy, and the list goes on. He's also photographed a host of other non-musicians including Richard Pryor and Arnold Schwerznegger. Plus 3 different Woodstock music events, including many photos from the original in 1969. And you can buy prints from the original negatives.

posted by terrapin (9 comments total)

The Morrison Hotel anecdote is great!
posted by chavenet at 9:27 AM on September 27, 2023 [8 favorites]

That was a nice, calm read. It's wonderful to remind ourselves that falling into something can be just as good (or even better?) than striving for it with ambition.
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel at 9:29 AM on September 27, 2023 [2 favorites]

There's a lot to be said about being in the right place and the right time, and knowing the right people -- it sounds like Diltz was already in the music scene when it was blowing up so had ready access to build that success.

That's not to diminish his portfolio - you don't keep getting work if you're bad at it, no matter who you know.
posted by AzraelBrown at 1:42 PM on September 27, 2023 [3 favorites]

Everyone looks so young.
posted by klanawa at 5:34 PM on September 27, 2023 [3 favorites]

He’s a great follow on Facebook. A lot of photos and stories from the archives.
posted by ryanshepard at 7:25 PM on September 27, 2023 [2 favorites]

The whole Morrison Hotel Gallery is full on great shots of legendary artists. I find it interesting that almost all of Diltz's work starts at $400.00, even for some iconic images. Although some of that can be explained by the fact that his works are 8x10 and up while others start at larger sizes. But now I want to order something; just not sure what
posted by TedW at 6:12 AM on September 28, 2023

He was interviewed in the Laurel Canyon: A Place in Time documentary (including the CS&N cover story). Fun to see him surrounded by all his negatives.
posted by skyscraper at 9:29 AM on September 28, 2023 [1 favorite]

Great to see this legendary documentarian receive much-deserved recognition (and a nod on MeFi). Many years ago, I bought a print directly from Diltz, who I knew while working in the L.A. music industry. In fact, it was this one--James Taylor picking out "Oh Susannah" at the home of his manager, Peter Asher, on the same day that Diltz shot the album cover for Sweet Baby James. Taylor rehearsed the album with his band in the same room, with Carole King on the piano in the photo. I paid $250 for the signed print, which--to my surprise-- now sells for $3500. Not that the monetary value matters--it'll be passed down to my daughter...who, throughout her childhood, assumed it was me in the photo (hah!).
posted by prinado at 3:13 PM on September 28, 2023 [2 favorites]

Wow there's a lot of great work there! That's not just access, that's talent.
posted by mazola at 10:04 AM on September 29, 2023 [1 favorite]