Vision On announce a new book:
LED ZEPPELIN: An Independent
Photographic History
Photographs by
NEAL PRESTON
''The fans are really interested in
what goes on behind the scenes, away from the CD covers, away from the music
videos... that's what it's all about, getting that rare glimpse.'' (Neal
Preston)
The more legendary the rock band, the harder it is to cut
through the myth.
Neal Preston had to be a worker of subtle magic in order to
get up close to Led Zeppelin during the height of their 1970s reign. He was on
the inside, shooting Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Bonham and John Paul Jones
onstange, off stage, backstage, on the road… and more.
Now, Preston’s collection of some of the most interesting and entertaining rock photographs ever taken have been brought together in this remarkable new book by Vision On, including commentary by music journalist Dave Lewis.
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The relationship between Preston and
Led Zeppelin was well under way by 1973, when a photo taken by Preston of Jimmy
Page at the San Diego leg of the tour struck a chord with Page.
“Jimmy was cradling his right hand on
stage – I thought he was striking a dramatic pose but he was in fact in a great
deal of pain,” recalls Preston. “Page
later revealed that his wrist had been injured as a result of a fall.” He had liked the photo so much Preston was
asked to accompany them on the road.
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Preston was right there, on the private jets and at the
aftershows, and his record of the band at their pagan Hammer of the Gods peak
reverberates loudly. This collection will reach both serious Zeppelin fans and
the casually curious. Fans will recall the images of Robert Plant holding a
white dove in his hands and the infamous Jimmy Page swigging from a Jack
Daniels bottle, as the embodiment and spirit of the band. These are indeed also
among Preston’s favourites.
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However, Preston adds: “The privileged
access given to me by the band offer a behind-the-scenes peak, away from the CD
covers, away from the music videos…at the peak of their success…that’s what
it’s all about, getting a rare glimpse.”
As Dave Lewis remarks, “Preston’s shots display the often underplayed humour and camaraderie of Zeppelin on the road… If you want to relive the memories or discover what it all looked like, then the photographs Neal Preston took of Led Zeppelin in their absolute prime are simply essential viewing.”
Editor’s
Notes:
Neal Preston
Los
Angeles-based Neal Preston was Led Zeppelin’s tour photographer in the 1970s
and had full access to the band, onstage and off. A photographer working
extensively in the musioc business for over 30 years, Preston has also produced
memorable and candid images of Madonna, Bruce Springsteen, Queen, The Eagles
and U2 among others.
Vision On Publishing
Established in December 1999 by British
photographer Rankin and Alex Proud, Vision On is committed to producing quality
photographic books with a mass market appeal. Using the highest standards of
photography, design and production, Vision On has led the way in the creation
of popular art books. Over the past 3 years, Vision On has worked on high
profile book and exhibition projects including the critically acclaimed RANKIN NUDES, NIRVANA, DAZED & CONFUSED ANNUAL, BLOOD &
GLITTER by Mick Rock, AUDREY: AN
INTIMATE COLLECTION by Bob Willoughby, THE
STONES 65-67 by Gered Mankowitz and UNDEREXPOSED
edited by Colin Jacobson
Feeding
from an international creative network of new talent Vision On aims to continue
its commitment as a showcase for cutting edge photography and with the promise
of over thirty new titles, 2003 looks even more exciting than the last.