Joel Brodsky, rock photographer

Joel Brodsky was one of the most important and prolific photographers of album cover art during the classic rock era. His photos adorn LP covers by the Doors, Van Morrison, Kiss, Tom Waits, Eric Anderson, Otis Spann, Isaac Hayes, The Ohio Players, James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Funkadelic, Salsoul Orchestra, Joan Baez, Harry Chapin, Judy Collins,The Box Tops, Country Joe & the Fish, the Stooges and the MC5. His many photos of Jim Morrison and the Doors merit special attention.

Joel Brodsky was born on October 7, 1939 and first developed an interest in photography at a young age. After graduating Syracuse University and a stint in the Army, he set up a studioin NYC in 1966. One of his fiest gigs was Eric Anderson's second LP cover, 'Bout changes n Things. Anderson's record label, Vanguard, used him a lot after that.



When Elektra records signed the Doors, they turned to Brodsky to shoot photos for their first LP. The cover was good, but his black & white photos of a young, drunken, shirtless Jim Morrison were great. Even (and perhaps especially) after Morrison's death in 1971, the "Young Lion" session photos became the core of poster, t-shirt and other merchandising. From that first lp, through the interestingly Fellini-esque cover of Strange Days and onwards, almost every Doors album is graced with his work.



Somehow, Brodsky had a knack for conveying the essence of an artist or group. Take a look at the sexy Ohio Players covers. Consider the power of Isaac Hayes. And Brodsky's covers for the Stooges and MC5 in 1969 conveyed the raw power of the new punk movement.



In the 1980's Brodsky picked up some pretty major corporate clients outside the music industry. He directed commercials and did print ads for DuPont, Avon, Revlon & Bloomingdale's. He died of a sudden heart attack on March 1, 2007; age 67.

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