Works by famed rock photographer Bob Gruen to be shown at Morris Museum

by JAY LUSTIG
Bob Gruen Morris Museum

BOB GRUEN

Led Zeppelin, in a 1973 photo by Bob Gruen.

More than 70 works by Bob Gruen, a leading rock photographer since the 1970s, will make up “Bob Gruen: Rock Seen,” an exhibition that will be at the Morris Museum in Morris Township from June 21 to Nov. 10. It will be his first solo exhibition at a United States museum.

Among the photos in the exhibition will be ones of John Lennon, Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, Tina Turner, The Ramones, Kiss and Debbie Harry.

On June 20 at 7 p.m., I will be interviewing Gruen at the museum; attendees will be able to view the exhibition after the talk. Also in conjunction with the exhibition, Southside Johnny and Asbury Jukes keyboardist Jeff Kazee will give a rare duo performance, June 27 at 7:30, following a brief interview with me.

For tickets and information on both programs (which are co-sponsored by NJArts.net), as well as the exhibition itself, visit morrismuseum.org.

The exhibition will include “Teenage Bedroom,” a room installation adapted from Gruen’s “A Rock & Roll Teenager’s Bedroom Wall,” conceived for the 2009 exhibition “Looking at Music: Side 2” at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Also, “NY Death Cult,” a 1976 video filmed at Max’s Kansas City in New York and including performances by Blondie, Patti Smith, Richard Hell and others, will be shown.

BOB GRUEN

Additionally, four films will be shown at the museum’s Bickford Theatre in conjunction with the exhibition:

June 21, 1 and 3 p.m.: “Rock & Roll Exposed: The Photography of Bob Gruen” (2011).

July 31, 1 and 3 p.m.: “Ike and Tina Turner – On the Road, 1971-72” (2012). Gruen and his wife Nadya Beck co-directed this film.

Aug. 9, 1 and 3 p.m.: “New York Dolls: All Dolled Up” (2005). Gruen and Beck also co-directed this film, using footage of the band that they shot in the ’70s.

Aug. 20, 1 and 3 p.m.: “New York Dolls: Lookin’ Fine on Television” (2011). More rare, vintage footage of the legendary band, shot by Gruen and Beck.

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