Bruce W. Talamon: Soul, R&B, And Funk Photographs 1972-1982: A Love Letter To The Music

Exhibit Info

On View - Jun 23, 2018 - Jun 23, 2018

“I’ve always thought of my photographs as documents that went beyond screaming into a microphone,” Talamon said. “I recognize now that I used my Nikons and Leicas like movie cameras. During that period, my mind was trying desperately to catch up with my eyes. I wanted my pictures to move. I wanted people to see what it took, what the performer is forced to give. For me this was always more than just photography. I considered myself a visual caretaker of black folks’ history—our music.”

The GRAMMY Museum exhibit marks the launch of a summer-long celebration honoring the works of Talamon. Taschen Publishing will release the book, Bruce W. Talamon, Soul, R&B, And Funk Photographs 1972–1982 in September.

“Bruce Talamon captured a vital part of music history, and his photographs give us new insight into the artists from this electrifying era,” said Nwaka Onwusa, GRAMMY Museum Curator. “The GRAMMY Museum celebrates not only music-makers, but also the musical contributions of artists of all mediums, and we are excited about this opportunity to share this unparalleled body of work by one of today’s most celebrated photographers. We are grateful to Taschen for their support in making this exhibit happen.”

In 1972, Bruce Talamon shot his first R&B photograph of Isaac Hayes at the historic Wattstax Music Festival, a benefit-concert presented by Stax Records to celebrate the community of Watts after the 1965 Watts riot. For the next decade, he worked as a contributing photographer for SOUL newspaper and photographed R&B artists everywhere. From smoke-filled clubs to large arenas, Talamon captured rehearsals, sound checks, recording sessions, costume fittings, performances, and all the frenzy and beauty that came to define an unprecedented musical period. The exhibit features images from this exciting time in his career, as well as his personal cameras and equipment. Many of the photos were taken at landmark venues in Los Angeles such as The Forum, Hollywood Palladium, Troubadour, The Roxy, and the Los Angeles Coliseum.

Visitors can expect revealing looks into special moments, including Muhammad Ali and jazz poet Gil Scott-Heron backstage at The Roxy discussing Nelson Mandela’s imprisonment. Another image shows Earth, Wind & Fire’s Maurice White and Al McKay listening to playback at AIR Studios on the island of Montserrat, and another shows Stevie Wonder with Berry Gordy after Wonder delivered the final tapes for his album, Songs In The Key Of Life.