Right Place, Right Time: The Life of a Rock & Roll Photographer

The title is certainly accurate -- He was definitely in the right places at the right times. Bob Gruen is a talented photographer and well known as a good guy. He not only took pictures but captured many iconic moments in music with an eye for the moment and daring to take (actually enthusiastically pursuing) his instincts and leaving the well-worn mainstream path to others. His instincts and diligence in showing up and doing the hard work paid off.He focused on musicians we know like John Lennon and Yoko Ono in their New York City decade, the Ike and Tina Turner band, The Clash, and Blondie -- all of whom became friends with him and welcomed him into their lives. But mostly he focused on (there's that word again) bands in their early years before we ever heard of them, in their CBGB years, or who were exciting and innovative but largely unknown. He and his girlfriend/partner did some of the first music videos and live concert videos with early video cameras and equipment that would be considered primitive by today's standards.Unlike many other books, the photographs here are clear and with good color and resolution. I wish the publisher had used larger versions of many of the photos so we could see more of the detail.There is something about Bob Gruen's rock & roll life that reminds me of Al Kooper's "Backstage Passes & Backstabbing Bastards: Memoirs of a Rock 'N' Roll Survivor." Maybe it's their candidness and honesty about their lives and the people around them.Highly Recommended.

My headline says it all. Bob started shooting rock shows in the sixties as a teen. His connection with John and Yoko is by itself reason to read his book, but that only scratches the surface. Right place right time might be an apt title. A great read indeed and a unique look behind the curtain of what has become the soundtrack of our lives…

Three stars. This book could have been very good if the author would remember that outside of NYC, nobody cares what goes on there. Bob should have stuck to music and pictures. In typical fashion the writer is fixated on NYC, liberal causes and Yoko Ono. The auther truly believes that Yoko is a great singer and can't understand why Americans can't get that. Bob also in liberal NYC fashion has to bring up politics and Nixon. Bob has selective memories and forgets about LBJ, Carter, Clinton (Monica, cigars), Obama and all their faults. Stick to rock and roll and pictures, nobody cares about your views. Anyway the book could have been so much better. Buyer beware.

Nice book apart from the damage in the top corner.

I went to high school with Bob Gruen. I have known him since he was 15 years old. I am blown away by this book, by his life, and by the way he has captured its incredible diversity in lively, personable prose. I found myself laughing out loud more than once, no small accomplishment in the middle of a pandemic. Bravo, Bob!

Bob Gruen has great stories to go with his outstanding photographs. Besides being a memoir, this book is the story of the relationships he developed with his subjects, most notably John Lennon and Yoko Ono. I have long been a fan of Gruen’s photos so it was great to get the behind the scenes tales.

Bob tells amazing music stories and seems to have known everybody. Wonderful. My only complaint is for a photographer, it would have been nice to see MORE of his work.

What an incredible book! Bob Gruen is a legend - an extraordinary photographer who captures the essence of each subject with such clarity and specificity and beauty. And what a life he’s had thus far! His work continues to be glorious. He is phenomenal.

Attualmente, sono una collega di Bob Gruen da tanti anni, anche se ci vediamo raramente — l'ultima volta abbiamo passato una mezz'ora a parlare a una festa a NYC a febbraio scorso, poco prima di rientrare in Italia dove mi trovo bloccata per via della pandemia. Dunque è stato un enorme piacere di sapere del suo libro che mi ha dato ore di divertimento: prima, per imparare tutti i dettagli della sua vita che non conoscevo; secondo, per rivivere l'epoca chiave che abbiamo condiviso a partire degli ultimi anni degli anni 60; terzo, per scoprire i segreti della sua tenacia che l'ha portato al suo successo in quel ambiente; e quarto, essere entrata nei dettagli della sua amicizia con John Lennon e Yoko Ono. La mia esperienza è molta ristretta in paragone alla sua, perché ho smesso a metà degli anni 70 e sono donna, e lui ha continuato fino ad oggi. Il libro mi ha fatto vivere tutta la storia dei gruppi e lo sviluppo della musica e l'ambiente che non ho vissuto di persona.I libro è stato fatto insieme con uno scrittore professionale, ma ha la voce di Gruen. È talmente pieno di dettagli quotidiani che mi fa incuriosire se lui ha tenuto un diario per tutta la vita. La prossima volta che ci vediamo lo chiederò. E per quello degli eventi che conosco personalmente, non ho notato nessun errore nel racconto.Per qualsiasi persona interessata nel campo della musica rock visto da dentro da un fotografo che ha vissuto la vita accanto ai musicisti, non c'è di meglio. Forse il suo solo vero concorrente è stato Jim Marshall. Direi che l'unico neo del libro è che le foto sono piccole e riprodotte come illustrazioni e non danno dignità alle loro qualità. E ovviamente è in Inglese. Forse prima o poi sarà tradotto per gli appassionati Italiani. Posso affermare alle case editrici Italiani che meriterebbe farla per un libro di questo genere.

small pictures, low quality

no words needed - just read it.I thank Bob Gruen for his true and kind words and having a look inside into his world and career.

Gran libro.Se lee con gran facilidad, aunque el nivel de inglés no lo tengas demasiado al día.