Bob Gruen is a highly acclaimed rock and roll photographer known for his extensive and influential body of work spanning over forty years. His iconic images feature some of the biggest names in music history, including John Lennon, Johnny Rotten, Muddy Waters, the Rolling Stones, Elvis Presley, Madonna, Bob Dylan, Bob Marley, Tina Turner, and Debbie Harry.
Gruen began working with John Lennon and Yoko Ono shortly after their move to New York in 1971, becoming their personal photographer and capturing both their professional and private lives. Notably, he created the famous images of Lennon in a New York City t-shirt and making the peace sign in front of the Statue of Liberty.
In the 1970s, as chief photographer for Rock Scene Magazine, Gruen specialized in candid, behind-the-scenes shots, extensively documenting the punk and new wave scenes with bands like the New York Dolls, Sex Pistols, Clash, Ramones, Patti Smith Group, and Blondie. His work also includes major rock acts such as Led Zeppelin, The Who, David Bowie, Tina Turner, Elton John, Aerosmith, Kiss, and Alice Cooper.
Gruen’s notable projects include documenting the Moscow Music Peace Festival in 1989, which featured Ozzy Osbourne, Mötley Crüe, and Bon Jovi, and serving as the official photographer for the New Music Seminar in New York City. His work reflects a deep commitment and personal connection with the artists he photographs.
His contributions to the field have been widely recognized. In 2005, he released the DVD documentary “All Dolled Up” with Nadya Beck, followed by “Lookin’ Fine On Television” in 2011. In 2007, the FAAP University in Sao Paulo, Brazil, showcased his work in the ROCKERS exhibition, which attracted 40,000 visitors. The exhibition was also held at the Morrison Hotel Gallery in New York City in 2008.
Gruen’s photographs are part of permanent collections at prestigious institutions such as The National Portrait Gallery in London and the Experience Music Project in Seattle. His work has been celebrated with numerous awards, including MOJO Magazine’s Honours List Award for Classic Image in 2004 and induction into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame in 2010. In 2014, he received the John Lennon Real Love Award for his charitable contributions.
Recent projects include photographing Green Day’s European tour, Yoko Ono/Plastic Ono Band, Iggy Pop, Ozzy Osbourne, AC/DC, Jesse Malin, Ryan Adams, Courtney Love, The Strypes, and other contemporary acts.
