The Petaluma Arts Center announces The Art of Rock ‘n Roll, on view from April 18th through May 31st, 2015.
Photo Credit: Curt Gunther
New musical movements are known to be an inspiration to all the arts. In the case of Rock ‘n Roll, an entire subculture developed to the beat, and Bay Area artists and musicians were in the thick of things.
Collected by curator Joseph McDonald, iconic photos from the era as well as vibrant posters that announced the great rock concerts appear in The Art of Rock ‘n Roll at the Petaluma Arts Center and IceHouse Gallery, April 18 through May 31.
Arts Center Executive Director Val Richman says, “We know this will be a crowd-pleasing exhibition and look forward to presenting a variety of iconic images along with some that have rarely been seen.
Collaborating with IceHouse Gallery creates the fun of an art walk, since they are located across the street in the Burdell Building.”
Photo Credit: Baron Wolman
The Bay Area has been long been a home and crucible for music, and the 1960’s and 1970’s were a hotbed of creativity and social change. Popular music reflected the times and several photographers, publications and poster artists have become iconic representations of this vibrant era.
The Art of Rock ‘n Roll exhibition will include photographs by Baron Wolman, Ed Perlstein, Jim Marshall and Curt Gunther, along with posters by Alton Kelley and Pat Ryan.
In April 1967 Baron Wolman had been photographing rock bands and an acquaintance, Jann Wenner, had plans to form a new kind of music periodical.Wolman agreed to join the new periodical, Rolling Stone, and work for free, insisting on ownership of all the photos he took, giving the magazine unlimited use of the pictures. Because of Wolman's virtually unlimited access to his subjects, his photographs of Janis Joplin, the Rolling Stones, Frank Zappa, The Who, Jimi Hendrix, Joan Baez, Iggy Pop, Pink Floyd, Bob Dylan, the Grateful Dead, Phil Spector, Jim Morrison, Ike & Tina Turner and other musicians were the graphic centerpieces of Rolling Stone's layout. Ed Perlstein has an impressive portfolio with undoubtedly some of the biggest names to ever grace a stage – Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Joni Mitchell, B.B King, Queen, to name just a few.
Jim Marshall is considered the preeminent rock photographer in the Bay Area from that time. He photographed all the greats; he famously photographed Jimi Hendrix setting his guitar on fire at the Monterey Pop Festival.
Curt Gunther met The Beatles in Europe and was invited to accompany them on their 1964 tour of the U.S. and Canada; he photographed their first concert at Candlestick Park.
Alton Kelley is credited with creating the wings and beetles on all Journey album covers as well as the skull and roses image for the Grateful Dead.
Pat Ryan was one of the original Artista Gang in Marin County and has created well over 100 posters for music venues and festivals.
In addition to the photographs and posters in the exhibition, Rock ‘n Roll dance parties will be held throughout the exhibition with live bands including The Deadlies, Dylan Chambers and the Midnight Transit, The Two of Us, and The British Invasion.
Adding to the fun are Kurt Huget and Craig Bartock hosting a Beatles Singalong, DJVal dance party, and the 5th of John Bertucci’s Art of Cinema Series, “Rock Night - A Scintillating Survey of Rock Music in the Movies”.
For dates, times and tickets click here for the Arts Center web site and visit the Events page and here for www.IceHouseGallery.org .
The Petaluma Arts Center is located at 200 Lakeville Street, the IceHouse Gallery is located at 408 East D Street, Petaluma.
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