I deeply miss my friend Joe Strummer. He was the strongest of men, a real inspirational leader, a guy who never seemed to tire of listening to people and talking to them, learning and teaching all the time. He had true compassion for everyone he met. He was the nicest and also the most fun loving person I’ve known.
The Clash, MA – 1979The Clash were a great, powerful live band and this shot captures that energy and excitement. I traveled with the Clash on their 1979 tour across the U.S. and feel this is the shot that shows them at their best.R-104 Joe Strummer, Mick Jones & Paul Simonon, NYC – 1981R-338 Mick Jones, Paul Simonon & Joe Strummer, USA – 1979R-238 Joe Strummer, NYC – 1978R-368 Joe Strummer, England – 1977R-109 The Clash, NYC – 1978R-345 The… read more →
This fall has been one of my busiest times. Following the very successful ‘Rockers’ exhibition at the Morrison Hotel Gallery in New York, and the opening of an exhibition in Mexico City and then another at the Liss Gallery in Toronto, I went to Paris, London, Los Angeles and back to Mexico to promote my new book ‘New York Dolls – Photographs by Bob Gruen’. There were book signings and more openings, a big birthday party and great live shows… read more →
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame held their Eighteenth Annual Induction Dinner in the Grand Ballroom of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. It is always a great evening as some of the world’s biggest music stars come to honor their heroes. This year the event was tempered by the recent loss of Clash founder Joe Strummer, but for all the attendants, including ACDC, the Police, Elvis Costello and the Attractions, The Righteous Brothers, record exec Mo Ostin, sidemen Benny Benjamin,… read more →
I am in London working on my book of photos of the Clash and we went to a great party for the photographer Mario Testino hosted by Kate Moss with Clash bassplayer Paul Simonon. It was a nice surprise to see Paul there after I had spent all day going over final layout proofs for my book, which is due out at the end of September. We also ran into the artist Damien Hirst who introduced us to TV personality… read more →