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| Man behind the photos of rock icons |
| By Dolores Tropiano |
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| Scottsdale- Why did Jimi Hendrix always perform on a rug? |
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| What was it like to travel with Led Zeppelin? |
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| And what really doomed Jim Morrison to an early death? |
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| Rock photographer Robert Knight plans to reveal all during a rare appearance from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday. |
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| “Jim Morrison was self-destructive” Knight said, “the drugs were whacking him out. He scared me. I shied away from shooting him.” |
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| But Knight didn’t hesitate to photograph other rock legends including the Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Elton John, during a career that spanned 40 years, beginning in the ‘60s. |
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| More than 40 famous photos from his collection will be part of a free showing. Included are the last photos taken of Vaughan, just hours before his tragic death in a helicopter crash. |
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| “The next day, Rolling Stone magazine and everyone called me (for the photos), and I wouldn’t let them out,” he said. |
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| “I couldn’t do it. They were my friends.” |
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| Knight attributed much of his success as a photographer to his access to the stars, many of whom he befriended. |
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| “I had a relationship with Elton John and Led Zeppelin that allowed me to get right on stage,” he recalled. |
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| “Actually, Elton John let me come right up to the piano. The point of view I had was better than any other photographer.” |
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| Staying off drugs also was a plus for Knight. |
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| “I never so much as smoked a join,” he said, explaining that his interest in psychic research made “the idea of staying pure” appealing to him. |
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| All of which contributed to his uncanny ability to capture rock icons during what were often chaotic, riotous concerts. |
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| “Knight’s photos are in credible,” said Michael Dunn Gallery owner. |
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| “and when you realize the stories behind the photos – what was going on backstage, on stage, during a tour or intimate photos off tour – then we have a wonderful appreciation and understanding of what was just a photograph. |
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