RIP Beatles Photographer Robert Freeman

Thank you for the many visual tickles.

RIP

 

Oh, I've got a "box set" that uses that pic. It has a normal cd and some other stuff, all "unofficial" in total..

 

I loved his work my whole life. Absolutely timeless.

 

I have that, believe it’s signed/ numbered by freeman also

 

His work must be in more households worldwide than any other photographer in history.

Iconic.

R.I.P.

 

Such a great photographer! We're very fortunate people like Robert Freeman (and Astrid Kircher before) were on hand to capture those moments with such talent and style. Their photos defined, and at times transcended, their subjects.

Since someone asked, he was not an employee of either Capitol or EMI. Below is a brief bit of paraphrasing from the introduction to his book "The Beatles - A Private View":

Robert Freeman was a freelance photographer. He started out in 1961 and by mid '63 had work placed in the Sunday Times and was involved with the first Pirelli calendar.

His first experience photographing musicians was an assignment to cover a jazz festival in London, where he shot John Coltrane, Cannonball Adderley, Dizzy Gillespie, Coleman Hawkins and other jazz luminaries. A friend of his, Dick Fontaine, worked for Granada TV and had been part of the crew that filmed the Beatles at the Cavern Club back in '62. He suggested if Robert liked shooting musicians he should approach them.

Contact with their press agency got him referred to Brian Epstein who asked for samples. His portfolio consisted mostly of those jazz shots. The Beatles liked what they saw, they met up - and the rest is history.

Here's my favorite shot he took of John Coltrane:

 

That's an interesting thought. With regard to the music field, I would say that might be true, because those images of Freeman's are a major visual part of the band with the greatest number of record sales.

But more than any other photographer in history? I need to think about that idea.

 

November 7th, you meant...

RIP

 

Dug my copy out

 

One of the two great "Roberts" (the other being Whittaker) who were responsible for some of the best photos of the group up through 1966.

 

Yeah is correct in the description. I also switched the UK and US Rubber Soul.

 

Really well done, thanks for this.

 

Ah, mine had less stuff in, ie no signed card.

 

I like how Paul referred to MEET THE BEATLES!

 

Well, it could have been worse. You could have gotten confused about who died and instead made a video tribute to Morgan Freeman.

 

Or Morgan Fairchild

 

...nothing to say, really other may he rest in peace wherever that may be. Without question the man gave us some of the most artistically endearing shots of the early-mid 60's Beatles ever. The cover of With The Beatles is my second favorite photo of them ever and certainly one of the greatest album cover shots ever of any artist; leaves the vast majority of other album covers of the time period in the dust.

 

It must be Friday afternoon/evening, because only a person who is imbibing a cocktail would even think that...

 

I can't think of any other photographers whose work would be in so many households in the world. Most countries put out Beatles records with at least one of his images used. I think it may be true.

 

Great. Thanks.

 

Terrible news. So sad.

RIP

 

RIP Robert Freeman...I've loved Robert's work from the first moment!

 

I have his wonderful book...some greats pics...R.I.P....