Bob Gruen Solo Show

Morrison Hotel Gallery

7517 Sunset Boulevard

Hollywood, CA

By Victoria Joyce
(SugarBuzz Hollywood)

Photos by Dawn Laureen

We got there a little late. The first person we saw through the crowded gallery was Rodney Bingenheimer. “Every one was here!” Rodney was in his element and started rattling off names. “Linda Ramone, Elliott Mintz…” We asked if he got a book. “Oh, sure!”

Photographer, Bob Gruen was signing copies of his newest book, “The New York Dolls.” Pictures of guess who? In addition, tonight kicks off Gruen’s first solo show in LA. Hard to believe, one of Rock’s signature picture makers hasn’t done this before. The gallery playing host is Morrison Hotel Gallery in Hollywood, about a block and a half east of the Guitar Center.

This storefront gallery is one of six in the Morrison Hotel chain. Founded in 2001 by a record company exec, a record store guy and a rock photographer; namely, Peter Blachley, Rich Horowitz and Henry Diltz. They took the name of Henry’s album cover he shot for the Doors. The galleries are devoted to Rock and Roll photography with a couple around LA and three more in and around NYC. Nice.

Earlier in the week, Gruen was interviewed by Steve Jones on his radio show, Jonesy’s Jukebox. Bob was part of the press entourage when Jones’s band, the Sex Pistols toured America the first time around in 1977. Gruen took iconic photos of the band. Especially Sid. Ever see the one with the hotdog and the mustard all over his mush? Bob took that.

Bob is promoting his other latest book. “John Lennon, The New York Years.” Gruen lived near John and Yoko back in the day and they hung out. Ever see that shot of John in front of the Statue of Liberty flashing the peace sign? Bob took that. And the one with the New York City tee shirt? Not only did Bob take that picture, he gave him that shirt. And that very shirt is now enshrined in the John Lennon Museum just outside Tokyo. Imagine?

The place is packed with friends, fans and other photographers. Everyone is taking pictures of the pictures and the photographer. We squeezed up to the small table mid-gallery where Gruen sat in a sea of scensters, Sharpie in hand. “What’s your name?” Yeah, we’d love signed copies of both books, thank you, please.

The big beautiful black and white photographs are hung high with big black bold frames. Name a band. They are here. Clash, Stones, Kiss, Tina Turner, Ramones, Blondie, Led Zepplin. Bob Gruen started shooting in the 70’s and has been snapping ever since.

“What’s your favorite artist to shoot?” OK, it was a dumb question, but it was the best we could muster in this high-fashion crush. Bob Gruen thought for a minute and shook his head. He couldn’t answer.

www.bobgruen.com

www.morrisonhotelgallery.com

myspace.com/dawnlaureen

The Shug