The Richard Byrd Photographs span the years 1966 to 1969 and include some undated materials. Individuals featured include Chuck Berry, Bob Dylan, Bill Graham, Arlo Guthrie, Gary Hoey, Janis Joplin, Doug Kershaw, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Rick Nelson, Peter Paul and Mary, Ringo Starr, and Buffy Sainte-Marie. Of particular note are images from Janis Joplin's last San Francisco show at the Winterland Ballroom on October 5, 1969.
Biography / Administrative History
Richard Byrd began photographing rock concerts in the summer of 1966, when he was flown to Chicago by the owner of a local radio station to photograph one of their DJs, who was MCing a Beatles concert at Stockyards Stadium. One of the Beatles' representatives asked Byrd if he could get copies of some of the photographs of "the boys" performing, and Byrd ended up attending not only the Chicago show but Detroit, and Cleveland as well, shooting 15 rolls of black-and-white and color, selling 13 of the rolls to the Beatles and keeping two for himself. He was paid $750 ($50 per roll) and proceeded to lose all the money to John Lennon playing poker. Byrd studied photography informally with Ansel Adams, Wynn Bullock, and Brett and Cole Weston in the early 1970s and has since worked as a staff photographer/writer for the Bisbee (Arizona) Daily Review (1983) and Bisbee Observer (1985); had his photographs published in the New York Times, New York Times Magazine, Rolling Stone, and a number of local Arizona and California newspapers; has taught photography and had his photographs featured in exhibits throughout Arizona, California, and Colorado.
Notes
Acquisition Note: The Richard Byrd Photographs were received by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Inc. as a gift from Byrd on May 5, 2010.
Citation: [Identification of Item], Richard Byrd Photographs, Library and Archives, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.
Processing Information: Processed by Jennie Thomas, Head Archivist. Completed November 6, 2012. Descriptive sources and standards used to create this inventory: DACS and local processing manual.
Access
Collection is open for research. Patrons must sign the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibilities and Privacy Rights statement on the Researcher Registration form before using this collection. Consult the Library and Archives in advance of your visit to ensure access to these materials is available.
Use
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Inc. has a limited copyright license to the materials within this collection. The transfer of Donor's literary and other property rights does not include works of other individuals and organizations contained in the gift. For more information, please consult the staff of the Library and Archives.
