Drummer Matt Sorum (VELVET REVOLVER, GUNS N' ROSES, THE CULT) has commented on the passing of legendary rock photographer Jim Marshall, who died on Tuesday night (March 23) in his New York City hotel room at age 74. Marshall was due to appear at a gallery opening on Wednesday night for his new book "Match Point" with celebrity photographer Timothy White.
Marshall is often credited as being among the earliest "guerrilla" rock photographers to redefine how musicians were shot both onstage and off.
Infamous for his brash exterior and pistol packing ways, Marshall's photos of Jimi Hendrix at Monterey and Janis Joplin are among the most iconic shots in rock — as are his pictures of Johnny Cash "flipping the bird" at San Quentin in 1969, THE GRATEFUL DEAD In Haight Ashbury in 1966, and THE BEATLES at their final concert that year at San Francisco's Candlestick Park.
Commented Sorum: "The world has lost a great cultural icon. Jim Marshall passed away [Tuesday] night in NYC at the age of 74. I was proud to call him my friend for the last 22 years. I met him on tour when i was playing with THE CULT. Our singer, Ian Astbury, asked Jim to join us on tour. He traveled with us on many adventures across America as we opened for METALLICA on the '...And Justice For All' tour.
"Being a huge fan of rock and roll and the people Jim photographed, I picked Jim's brain for stories of his glory days behind the scenes of the greats he shot like THE DOORS, Hendrix, Bob Dylan, THE WHO, STONES, THE BEATLES, Janis Joplin and many more.
"His jazz photography was unparalleled. He shot jazz greats John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Monk, among others. He captured the essense of the personality behind the musician by capturing them in their natural state. He wasn't a fan of posed sessions and always carried three German film cameras around his neck to capture the perfect moment.
"The stories that went with the photographs were mesmerizing. The famous photo of Johnny Cash flipping the bird was actually at Jim himself. Jim was the only photographer allowed at THE BEATLES' last concert. The STONES invited Jim into the 'Exile on Main St.' sessions as he captured classic moments.
"I have many of his pieces and have always told those stories he told me with pride as I share them with visitors at my house.
"He once sent me his entire collection of drummers he had shot, Ringo to Max Roach. I was overwhelmed with his kindness and felt honored that I knew him.
"He lived in the same house in San Francisco that was a museum for the music lover. I spent time there drinking scotch, which he loved, scouring through his file cabinets of stuff he forgot he had shot. He just sent me a photo of Miles Davis that was unreleased because he learned I named my French bulldog after the jazz legend.
"He was a sweet gentle man who had a rough exterior from years of hard living. I will miss him dearly, but am grateful that I met him and was able to call him my friend.
"Say hello to all your old friends for me, Jimi, Janis, Coltrane, Lennon and Miles.
"I love you, Jim."
