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Rolling Stone: Through the Lens of Annie Leibovitz
The photographer Annie Leibovitz got her job at Rolling Stone in 1970; the magazine was just beginning to start up. Soon after, she became chief photographer, and she held this position until 1982. The editor of Rolling Stone credited Leibovitz with making many Rolling Stone covers collector's items. Leibovitz played with colors copiously in her portraits, and she developed this strategy during her time at Rolling Stone. Many of her artistic strategies evolved through these covers. -
RS60: Anti-war Demonstrators
This photograph is much different in comparison to Leibovitz' other Rolling Stone covers. Most of her covers were portraits, while this cover captures a moment at an anti-war demonstration in San Francisco. This was her first Rolling Stone cover, andit was the start of the great growth and evolution of not only the magazine itself but of the photography, and in extension, the covers. This cover is particularly significant as well, because it exposes the reality of the US during that time. -
RS75: John Lennon & Yoko Ono
This cover of John Lennon and Yoko Ono is one of many. While this is not John and Yoko's first Rolling Stone cover, it is the first one that Annie Leibovitz photographed. This cover is significant, because John and Yoko were very influential figures during the 70's; their music and philosophies were very popular. This cover was Leibovitz' first portrait cover for Rolling Stone with two subjects. Although Leibovitz is known for her color-plays, this photograph is black and white. -
RS100: Jerry Garcia
Jerry Garcia, lead guitarist and singer/songwriter for The Grateful Dead, said in his Rolling Stone interview: "To get high is to forget yourself...to forget yourself is to see everything else...to see everything else is to become an understanding molecule in evolution, a conscious tool of the universe." This portrait is different than the others due to the position of the subject, as well as the angle the photograph was taken, which creates a peaceful, zen tone - perfect for Jerry Garcia. -
RS150: Hugh Hefner
This particular Leibovitz' cover is interesting, because it features a young Hugh Hefner. Typically, one would fine musicians on the cover of Rolling Stone, but not in this case. Leibovitz took an up-close portrait of Hefner, a business-man, adult magazine publisher, and, of course, a well-known playboy. The dark, dull background makes the color in Hefner's portrait really stand out, demonstrating Leibovitz' color strategizing. -
RS158: Marvin Gaye
Marvin Gaye's 1974 cover for Rolling Stone is definitely one of the most peculiar and exciting. Leibovitz has this soul singer posing quite odd, not to mention he is posing on a cliff. The colors in this Leibovitz cover is much different than her others. Most of the light is coming from the sun, where as everything else seems dimmed by shadows. This cover is not only beautiful, due to the incorporation of nature, but it is unique; it sets itself apart from Leibovitz' other portraits. -
RS181: Loggins & Messina
This cover is another example of Leibovitz' double-subject portraits. Kevin Messina and Jim Loggins are a musical group. Since their group is just the two of them, Leibovitz creates a photograph that emphasizes their connection and collaboration. The white background also highlights Loggins and Messina by making the color stand out - once again, Leibovitz is using color to strengthen her photographs. -
RS191: Mick Jagger & Keith Richards
This double-subject portrait was taken the same year as Leibovitz' Loggins and Messina cover. However, this photograph is black and white, eliminating any color strategy by Leibovitz. The year this was taken was the same year Leibovitz went on tour with The Rolling Stones. Having had this close experience to the musicians, Leibovitz was most likely able to create a more personal photograph to truly capture these musicians. This could also account for Leibovitz' decision to not use color. -
RS215: Paul & Linda McCartney
Annie Leibovitz took many photographs, including Rolling Stone covers, of various members of The Beatles. While John Lennon definitely had his fair share, so did Paul. This portrait is similar to the one Leibovitz took of John and Yoko in 1971, except it is in color and Paul's wife, Linda, is not facing the camera. The pink in her sweater may catch the eye, but that is about it. This photograph definitely aimed to emphasize Paul. -
RS219: Bob Marley
This photograph of Bob Marley, taken by Leibovitz, is interesting, because it is does not portray Marley as one would normally imagine. Although Marley did play guitar, he is most well-known as a reggae singer. This photograph makes him seem more rock-n-roll than reggae. However, he looks very natural and like he is having a lot of fun. Leibovitz' use of plain, especially white, backgrounds works well in this photograph to make Marley the focal point. -
RS235: Fleetwood Mac
This cover of the rock band Fleetwood Mac is one of Leibovitz' most famous covers, and it differs greatly from her others. It is one of the few covers with more than two subjects in it - there are five. Once again, Leibovitz uses the color contrast of the white blanket and dark background surrounding the bed to highlight the bareskin of the subjects. The aerial perspective that the photograph was taken from also makes this particular color unique from other Leibovitz' covers taken straight on. -
RS247: O.J. Simpson
Nowaday one thinks of O.J. Simpson as the man accused of murdering his wife. However, that was not his reputation in 1977, when Leibovitz took this photograph. This photograph is another Rolling Stone cover featuring a figure other than a musician; Simpson was an athlete, more specifically a football player, hense the football he is holding. There is a mild, similar color pallette for this photograph; this is not like Leibovitz' usual color-pop strategy, but it still incorporates color strongly. -
RS257: Bob Dylan
This is a close-up portrait of the musician, artist, and writer: Bob Dylan. Leibovitz was photographing one of the largest icons in popular culture not only back then but today as well. Since Dylan was such a popular figure, Leibovitz took the photograph straight on, as if he is looking right at the viewer; however, the sunglasses create some mystery. There is a plain, white and grey background, which really makes the portrait powerful by strengthening the presence of Bob Dylan to the viewer. -
RS267: John Travolta
John Travolta's cover is another example of covers featuring someone other than a musician. While Travolta was best known for acting, he also danced and sang in certain motion pictures, like Grease. Leibovitz' use of color in this photograph is different than her others; the colors are present, but washed out and dull. This play with color creates a much different look than her other color strategies. It forces the viewer to focus on the subject, since the colors don't have a strong presence. -
RS285: The Blues Brothers
The Blues Brothers' cover is the epitome of Leibovitz' different uses of color. The blue color of their faces, their pink lips, and their black outfits create a contrast that causes both subjects to strongly stand out to the viewer. With two subjects, Leibovitz tended to take a close-up photograph for couples usually; she takes a close-up here, making their faces the focal point. -
RS328: Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo
This cover features Pat Benatar, a rock musician, with her husband and guitarist, Neil Giraldo. Leibovitz incorporates both of these relationships in this photograph. Pat is on top of Neil, but he is kissing her and not looking at the camera; the lust shows their romantic relationship, and Pat's dominate presence shows their relationship as singer and guitarist, and it represents Pat's success at that time. Her red shirt among the dark and neutral colors draws even more attention to her. -
RS335: John Lennon & Yoko Ono
This cover is argubly Leibovitz' best and most well-known Rolling Stone cover. In comparison to her other photographs of John and Yoko, it is extremely unique; a naked John is wrapped around his wife, who is darkly clothed with her dark hair sprawled out. The color contrast in this photograph is completely natural. This could be considered one of the most memorable Rolling Stone covers. Leibovitz took this photograph hours before John's death; the last photographs ever taken of him were by her. -
RS363: Steve Martin
Annie Leibovitz made Steve Martin's cover as colorful and silly as the man himself. His cover is much different than not only Leibovitz' covers but most Rolling Stone covers. Martin is posing as he jumps in the air in a black-and-white body suit that matches his background. This is another example of Leibovitz' experimenting with color. While the photograph is in color, practically all the subject matter is black and white. Martin's uinque, exciting cover is representative of his acting career. -
RS365: Simon & Garfunkel
This cover is one of Leibovitz' last before she left Rolling Stone. Her artistic strategies and talents had grown since she first started at Rolling Stone, and her use of color is still strongly present in this photograph. While the photograph was taken in color, it contains dull colors like black, white, and grey; this forces the viewer to bring their attention to the subjects themselves - Simon and Garfunkel. The full body shot fits in with many of her other covers featuring two male subjects.
