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An
interview with Robert Altman, legendary photographer on Rolling Stone Magazine
This article is the intellectual property of www.retrosellers.com and cannot be
reproduced without express permission.
Photographs © and courtesy of Robert Altman
Photographer, and latter day web designer, Robert Altman encapsulates the spirit and feel
of the sixties, and captured on camera many of the true greats of that era. Who do we
think of when we think about that golden decade? Jane Fonda? Janis Joplin? The Rolling
Stones? The Who? Jim Morrison? Well, they were all subjects of Robert's, as were many, if
not most, of the movers and shakers from the 60s and 70s. But don't think his career or
enthusiasms stopped there...
Robert made a career out of excellence in photography and established a huge reputation by
virtue of his long-time association with Rolling Stone magazine and with the rock stars
that passed through his studio and in front of his lenses. It would be easier to list
those who he has not photographed and which major organisations and enterprises he has not
worked with than to list those he has.
These days, Robert has embraced the new technology of the Internet and is an accomplished
web designer and trainer, as well as continuing his involvement in photography, which, of
course, has itself seen a technological revolution in recent years. No Luddite is Robert.
Visit his encyclopedic site and you'll be surprised to learn that it is all his own work -
meaning not just the photographs that are 'archived' there, but also the articles and
every page and bit of technical work that lies behind the site. There is some great 'fun
stuff', such as a very entertaining list of favourite 'cool' words of Robert's and his
friends. I was honoured to be allowed to add my suggestions ('ramifications' and
'gargantuan' - don't ask, it may be something Freudian!)
When I asked Robert how busy the site keeps him he told me "Very. From high school
students needing photos for class projects to collectors and a lot of the media who need
this material." He finds the Web a very useful tool and a strong interest;
"Yup...tomorrow I will teach HTML and Web design at the University. It's an extremely
useful medium for research - for its immediacy and scale and quality of available
material. I don't see anything negative about it, really. It is particularly good for
ubiquitous dissemination." That is something I wouldn't argue with.
Talking to Robert about his current project, which is a collaboration with renowned and
respected artist Eric Shenker. Robert was characteristically humble about his involvement
claiming that he hasn't had much to do with it - it utilises his images of The Rolling
Stones from the sixties and these are the building blocks of this new artwork presently
being undertaken by Eric entitled 'Tell The Truth And Shame The Devil'. The premise? The
Stones, after 40 years, are having a sit down heart-to-heart chat about how they really
feel towards one another. They appear as they did in their twenties (Robert Altman's
photos), but the time frame is current. Robert describes it as "An update of
Leonardo's Last Supper." Coming as it does in the Rolling Stones 40th Anniversary
year, and with two contributors of such pedigree and distinction, this will certainly
appeal to Stones fans and collectors everywhere.
I asked Robert about his biggest passions, and we noticed that we shared several.
"CPU's, women, people, excellence, food, hedonism, self growth, music, dancing,
mountains and travel" he told me, although I wasn't pedantic enough to point out that
women are people too!
Robert's take on the cause and impact of the sixties cultural revolution is one very
similar to that of Kinks and Who producer Shel Talmy, also now living in California, who I
interviewed last year. Robert told me "It was a reaction to the war and the drabness
that followed it. These movements tend to be cyclical - The Renaissance is an obvious
example, New York or Paris between the wars and so on." Robert's favourite
recollections of that decade being "The Let it Bleed Sessions, the Lower East Side,
San Francisco, psychedelics, music, Dylan, my friends." Who, then, did Robert see as
being the biggest characters from that time? "Tim Leary - my guru Swamii
Satchidananda; Dylan; Kesey; Nixon; the alternative media; Tom Foolery and Amos B.
Haven."
Robert was disappointed that he had not been able to photograph Hendrix or Dylan but
working with Tim Leary, Kesey, Jean-Luc Godard were career high spots. What did Robert see
as his biggest accomplishment to date? "That I was able to capture with some flair
some highlights of the Sixties". And his remaining ambitions? "Further renown
and fortune. A great publisher for my sixties book. A Dorian Gray pill. An interview with
God. A date with Rosanna Arquette." That doesn't seem too much to ask.
I was intrigued to know what Robert saw as the cultural differences between the US and the
UK. "Our Queens look different to yours", ventured Mr Altman.
Robert's open-mindedness is something that is very clear when you talk to him, as is his
love of people and ability to see the positive in things and people. He sees the sixties
experience as contributing to his 'design for life'. This open approach can be seen in his
choice of favourite music too: "Rogers and Hart; Cole Porter, Dylan; Cat Stevens;
George and Ira Gershwin; The Stones; Van Morrison; The Temptations; Yehudi Menuhin ;
Stéphane Grappelli, Django; Sandy Bull; David Grissman; Linda Rondstadt; Neil Young;
Brian Wilson; Doo Wop; The Beatles; Bird; Bud Powell; Beethoven; Mozart; Mahler." I
asked Robert why he thought The Stones had endured for so long: "In the first place
most members managed to stay alive", he said. "They are still focused and
motivated; incredibly talented and listenable and also had that bit of sheer luck."
What would Robert say are the biggest issues effecting the photographer's art in the 21st
century? "Analog to digital." And would he like to be starting in the business
now? " I never started...it just happened", he says. "Same with web
construction, it just sort of happened organically."
Robert's parting message for retro and nostalgia fans all over the world was suitably
characteristic and to the point. "Hello retro and nostalgia fans all over the world.
Floss and be sure to use sunscreen."
Eric Shenker and Robert Altman
© 2002 Photo: Victoria Smith
My big thanks to Robert for the interview and use of the photos.
See the Robert Altman website: http://www.altmanphoto.com
More information about Tell The Truth And Shame The Devil on retrosellers soon.
This article is the intellectual property of www.retrosellers.com and cannot be
reproduced without express permission.
All photographs © Robert Altman
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