On This Date (October 11, 2008) William Claxton / Legendary Music Photographer

William Claxton
October 12, 1927 – October 11, 2008

William Claxton was a respected photographer who documented the American jazz scene of the ’50s and ’60s.  He captured some of the era’s most iconic images.  His list of subjects included Art Pepper, Gerry Mulligan, and most famously, Chet Baker.  His images of Baker casually dressed in a t-shirt were instrumental in developing the overall hip image of the musician.  Claxton is also responsible for many famous pictures of the likes of Sting, Barbra Streisand, Steve McQueen, Frank Sinatra,  Judy Garland, Isaac Hayes, and many more.  William Claxton died of congestive heart failure just one day before his 81st birthday.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums

Chet Baker by William Claxton

On This Date (May 25, 2008) David Gahr / Photographer

David Gahr
September 22, 1922 – May 25, 2008

David Gahr at left

David Gahr was a rock and folk photographer whose pictures are some of the most iconic in music history. Bursting on the scene to document the folk revival of the late ’50s to early ’60s, Gahr captured the true essence of such performers as Joan Baez, Bob Dylan and Mississippi John Hurt, many of which were taken at the Newport Folk Festivals. To fully appreciate the impact Gahr had on contemporary music, one must realize that when he began documenting the folk revival, much of the world’s music fans were just starting to embrace the songwriters who made up the scene. And in many cases, they saw Gahr’s photos of those artists before ever hearing a single note. Other subjects ranged from Bruce Springsteen and Janis Joplin to Ted Nugent and the Dictators. And many many more. After several months battling health issues, Gahr passed away in his home at the age of 86. Sadly there doesn’t seem to be an online gallery of his great work, so you can start here.