I grew up a fan of rock photography, and the walls of my bedroom were my gallery. Back then, before social media existed, our connection to our favorite bands was to actually go to concerts, or to buy printed posters, or look at the vinyl album jackets. That part of my life influenced me so much that I began a career in radio, because if I couldn’t be the lead singer in a band (society is better for that decision) I might as well play the music.
Fast forward to me in my 40s, and my radio career helped jump start me into the world of concert photography, in a wonderful full circle moment in my life.
Those iconic photos from my youth have played a role in every phase of my life, and the photographers that captured those images will always hold a special place in my heart. Today’s guest is one of those legends.
When talking about the music photographers that created the images that defined rock & roll there are simply too many to list, but a few always come to mind: Jim Marshall, Bob Gruen, Mick Rock, Henry Diltz, Neil Zlozower, Neal Preston, Baron Wolman, and Robert M. Knight – my guest today.
Before I go any further into talking about Robert, or my love of his photography, and before someone comments that there are great music photographers today too… yeah, I know. I am lucky to call a few of them friends, and their work inspires my shooting daily, and those current photographers will all tell you that they were influenced by many of the legends I mentioned above.
When talking about Robert M. Knight the conversation could go so in many directions. Robert has photographed legendary artists, like The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Run DMC, Green Day, Jimmy Page, Elton John, Slash, Jimi Hendrix, BB King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Aerosmith, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Steve Vai, and Carlos Santana. You’ve seen his photos, even if you didn’t know it at the time.
I actually tried to come up with a few favorite images of his to ask him about using in the show, but that task was beyond me – I love way too many. His Zeppelin shot in front of the plane is special, then there’s the black and white shot of BB King laughing, or the extensive work he’s done with Jeff Beck. He even has some portrait work, like his shot of the late actor Robert Mitchum, that are just next level.
Robert was one of the first photographers to capture Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin, and he was the last to photograph Stevie Ray Vaughan. You can still find his book “Rock Gods: Fifty Years of Rock Photography”, in Hardcover and Paperback, on Amazon, and the 2009 documentary “Rock Prophecies” is a great introduction to not only Robert the photographer, but into some of the more personal areas of Robert’s life.
Rock Prophecies was actually my first introduction into Robert and his wife Maryanne’s work with Guitar Center’s Hollywood RockWalk, or his work with up-and-coming guitarists. A few years ago a guitarist friend of mine, Chase Walker, posted photos he did with Robert, and I was so excited for him. I’d photographed Chase many times, and even interviewed him and his band, but for my friend to do a session with Mr. Knight was so cool.
I do want to mention that Robert’s wife, Maryanne, is an amazing photographer as well. Be sure to check out their website, linked below, to see both of their work.
Join Rock ‘n Roll photographer Robert M. Knight and me as we talk about a few of his shots, and the stories behind them, on this episode of Behind the Shot.
Chapter Timestamps
00:00:00 – Intro
00:01:28 – Interview with Robert M. Knight
00:19:32 – Ranking the Importance of Photo Attributes
00:23:47 – Intro Before Discussing Photos
00:25:13 – Photo 1: Led Zeppelin
00:29:00 – Photo 2: John Bonham
00:32:15 – Photo 3: Elton John
00:35:17 – Photo 4: Keith Richards
00:37:03 – Photo 5: Jimi Hendrix at Winterland
00:40:55 – Photo 6: Jimi Hendrix in Hawaii
00:42:29 – Photo 7: Steven Tyler
00:45:32 – Photo 8: Stevie Ray Vaughan Live
00:49:53 – Photo 9: Stevie Ray Vaughan Portrait
00:51:43 – Photo 10: Ringo & Friends
00:55:37 – Photo 11: Brian WILSON & Friends
00:58:27 – Speed Round Q & A
01:07:48 – Robert’s Photographer Picks
01:09:03 – Outro
Connect with Robert
Website: knightbilham.co.nz
Instagram: @robertmknightphoto
Documentary About Robert
Rock Prophecies: Trailer on YouTube | Wikipedia
Robert’s Book
Rock Gods: Fifty Years of Rock Photography: amazon.com
Robert’s Photographer Picks
Maryanne Bilham: knightbilham.co.nz | @maryannebilhamphoto
Jenn Devereaux: jenndphotography.com | @jenndphotography | Behind the Shot Episode “Backstage Portraits”
Shots From the Show
Rock Gods: Fifty Years of Rock Photography Book Covers – Hardcover & Paperback
