Just ask Jimmy Webb, owner of rock boutique I NEED MORE, tucked on the quieter side of Orchard Street in the LES. Webb, immediately recognizable by his punker coiffure, tattoo sleeves and bright smile, had the wonderful idea to immortalize the footprints of his friends Iggy Pop and Debbie Harry in concrete.
On 24 February, he made it happen. With Iggy Pop in town for the Tibet House Benefit, Webb and his army of PR, managers, and the fantastic I NEED MORE staff welcomed Iggy Pop and Debbie Harry to the hot pink emporium with unbridled enthusiasm. As each person filed in one by one, they were greeted with cheers and big hugs from Webb.
Iggy and Debbie are immortalized on either side of the counter. Iggy was reluctantly persuaded to not cannonball into the concrete, although one could understand the temptation. Debbie gingerly stepped in wearing a pair of gorgeous red heels, and embellished her autograph with her signature X’s. Both pairs of shoes were given to Jimmy Webb as gifts, and will be on display at I NEED MORE, along with other amazing music memorabilia, unique pieces of art fashion, rock photography, and merch from your favorite bands.
Amongst the fans in the crowded shop were Henry Rollins, Duff McKagan of Guns N’ Roses, Chris Stein, David Johansen and Mara Hennessey, famed photographers Bob Gruen, Godlis, Bobby Grossman, Roberta Bayley and Mick Rock; Danny Fields, Jim Jarmusch, Amos Poe, Sara Driver, and Nina Alu.
Art Miami — the leading producer of international contemporary and modern art fairs — will present the third edition of Art New York and the second edition of CONTEXT New York at Pier 94, opening Wednesday, May 3.
The two highly-anticipated fairs will showcase more than 120 international contemporary and modern galleries from 50 countries, representing more than 1,200 artists who have exhibited at Art Miami, Art Basel, Design Miami, The Armory Show, Masterpiece, Expo Chicago and Art Dealers Association Of America’s The Art Show. The sister art fairs will give collectors, curators and art advisors the opportunity to view and acquire the most prestigious works available to the market from the 20th and 21st centuries.
This year, Art New York will display the finest work of the modern, post-war and pop eras, and feature paintings, photography, prints, drawings, design and sculpture from masters including Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Willem de Kooning and Ed Ruscha.
“This will be our most exciting year yet,” said Katelijne De Backer, Director of Art New York. “In addition to high quality blue chip works, we will be offering some truly unique immersive experiences, which promise to engage seasoned and new collectors alike. Art New York will be the perfect launch to New York Art Week, showcasing the most important works from the masters to the emerging artists ready to take fairgoers by storm.”
Gary Lichtenstein Editions will show images by famed photographer Bob Gruen and — for the first time — and works by Metallica’s Jason Newsted in the combined exhibition Rockers Rawk. Gruen’s exhibit features images of John Lennon, David Bowie, Debbie Harry and The Rolling Stones. Half of all sales from both artists will be donated to the Perry J. Cohen Foundation. On Saturday, May 6, the duo will be on-hand for a Q&A session.
“The fair will highlight a selection of work by emerging and mid-career artists that are primed to become contemporary masters within the next few years,” said CONTEXT New York Director Julian Navarro. “The artists for this year’s special projects are taking a vested interest in social awareness and are putting forth works that will drive visitors to ask questions and to participate in the ever-changing social conversation.”
Bob Gruen is not only one of the most famous rock photographers, but one of its most prolific as well. If you’ve seen a photo of John Lennon wearing a “New York City” t-shirt, Bob took it. If you’ve seen a photo of Led Zeppelin standing in front of an airplane with their logo on it, Bob took that one, too. He has captured countless iconic images over the past five decades that we’ve grown accustomed to seeing on posters, shirts and the pages of books.
As a 50-year resident, Bob Gruen’s name is practically synonymous with downtown New York. Thanks to Carol Klenfner’s connection, I had the opportunity to conduct a Q&A with Gruen about his past, present and future, garnering a rare look at the man behind the lens. His work ethic is to be admired, and his “last words” are inspiring to all, not just to photographers. Much of Gruen’s classic work has recently been reissued, but there is a permanent display at Edition Hotel at 5 Madison Ave. [Editor Note: This article originally appeared in the Spring 2016 issue of Downtown Magazine.]
What was your first paying gig as a photographer?
Bob Gruen: I lived with a rock band [Glitterhouse] in the ’60s, and when they got a deal at Atlantic Records, they used my photos for their publicity. Atlantic then hired me to shoot Tommy James and the Shondells, when they were opening at a presidential rally for Hubert Humphrey.
What is it that you like most about living downtown?
BG: There is less traffic, and it’s quieter, because most of the streets are shorter and smaller than uptown, and the buildings are lower, so there’s more sky. But we’re close to everything going on in the city.
When did you first move downtown?
BG: I moved to Sullivan Street in June 1965, and I thought the Feast Of St. Anthony was a great welcome. I’ve lived in the West Village since 1970.
What is it that keeps you living in Manhattan, as opposed to moving to L.A.?
BG: I’m not moving to L.A., because I’d only last a few days there! The sun is nice, but it’s way too spread out, and there is so much traffic, it takes hours to get anywhere, and when you meet someone in L.A., they say, “How are you doing?” In New York they say, “What are you doing?” I like to be doing things.
Is your neighborhood on the verge of becoming another SoHo?
BG: I think the West Village is becoming another SoHo with high-priced shops and luxury condos, but I’m not ready to move.
Do you have a favorite venue in Manhattan for photo shoots? Or at least a favorite for concerts?
BG: I don’t really have favorite venues where I take photos, but I always like to see shows at the Beacon [Theatre], because it’s such a beautiful theater, and the sound is good. Past favorites were Max’s [Kansas City], The Bottom Line, CBGB’s and Don Hill’s, all now gone. But now, I think, for a club, I like Bowery Electric.
To you, is music good these days? Or are the best days of pop and rock behind us?
BG: I usually think the best day is today. You can’t go back, and I find good music all over town.
In October, your book on John Lennon was re-released. How does it compare to the original release?
BG: The new edition of John Lennon: The New York Years has a new cover and 16 new pages with 24 photos not published before.
Do you feel that there are any misconceptions about John? Or is there something you wish more people knew about him?
BG: John was very open about his life; I don’t think there are misconceptions. If people really want to know about John Lennon, they should read the last two interviews he gave — the BBC interview by Andy Peebles and the Playboy interview by David Sheff — both available as books. John expressed himself very clearly and had learned a lot from his five years of raising Sean [Lennon].
Do you have any exhibits in the works? Or any other books?
BG: There is a new permanent installation of 45 of my photos in the Billiard Room [in the Clocktower Restaurant] at the new Edition Hotel on 24th Street. This year, I released a new book of photos of Yoko Ono, See Hear Yoko, and there was a reissue of…TheClash. Photographs by Bob Gruen….My large 500-photo monograph, Rock Seen, is now in its 4th printing. I’m currently working on an autobiography.
Is there anyone you haven’t yet photographed but still hope to?
BG: I’ve met many very interesting people, and I can’t say there is anyone special I can think of I’d like to photograph. But I go out all the time, and I’m always happy to meet new people.
If a person were thinking of getting into photography as a proper hobby, is there a particular camera you’d recommend to start with?
BG: The camera doesn’t matter as long as you’re comfortable with it; they all do mostly the same things. It’s what you do with it that matters.
Is there a photograph or a particular shoot that you’re most proud of? Or see as your biggest accomplishment?
When you’re not busy with your career, how do you like to spend your free time?
BG: I’m busy with my career most of the time, but I like to travel and visit with my family and grandchildren now.
Finally, Bob, any last words for the kids?
BG: I always tell people that if you take a lot of pictures, you’re bound to get a good one, and if you only show the good ones, people will think you’re good. Other than that, learn from the past, look to the future, but live in the present.
Celebrate rock music tonight at the unveiling of the iconic Bob Gruen’s newest photography exhibition, “Rock & Roll Exposed – the Photography of Bob Gruen” at the POP International Galleries in SoHo (473 West Broadway) from 7-9pm.
Gruen, a native New Yorker, spent the majority of his career photographing rock stars like Bob Dylan, New York Dolls, The Clash, Ramones, Patti Smith Group, Blondie, Led Zeppelin, The Who, David Bowie, Tina Turner, Elton John, Aerosmith, Kiss and Alice Cooper. Most notably he served as John Lennon’s personal photographer during which he shot the iconic photograph of Lennon wearing a New York City T-shirt. Gruen’s career spans over forty years where he mastered being at the right place and time and is one of the legendary documentary photographers of the time . He has published several books of his work such as his newest, “Rock Seen” (2013, Harry N. Abrams), “John Lennon-The New York Years” (2005, Stewart, Tabori and Chang) and “The Clash” (2002, Vision On).
The exhibition will run from April 4 to May 4 and will feature 100 of Gruen’s finest prints.
The POP International Galleries founded by Jeff Jaffe in 1997 specializes in Pop Art, Urban Art, and art and photography that is derived or influenced from pop culture.
