Photographer alfred wertheimer followed elvis presley around with a camera before the king of rock and roll became famous and one of the. Synopsis in 1956, a 21yearold singer called elvis presley was at the beginning of his career. Alfred wertheimer began his career in 1951, publishing his work in such magazines as life and paris match. Extraordinary in its intimacy and scope, alfred wertheimer s elvis presley portfolio immortalized the singer on the brink of superstardom. In the spring of 1956, a series of commercial assignments for rca records led to a shoot of a newly signed singer named elvis presley. In 1956, a twentyoneyearold singer named elvis presley was at the beginning of his remarkable career. Jul 24, 20 in the march 20 taschen release of alfred wertheimer. Alfred wertheimers pictures appear in both fresh 50s color and stunning black and white photography.
This art edition of 125 numbered copies numbered 1125, each signed by alfred wertheimer, comes with a numbered and signed photograph. In the course of this oneday assignment, wertheimer was so. Alfred wertheimer, early photographer of elvis presley. New york to memphis limited edition shown opposite, the latest photojournal from wertheimer is the standout book of its type in 2006 and one of the best elvis book releases in many years. In 1956, a twentyoneyearold elvis presley was at the beginning of his remarkable and unparalleled career and photographer alfred wertheimer was asked. After these photos were taken, no photographer ever again had the access to elvis that wertheimer enjoyed. With unimpeded access to the young performer, wertheimer was able to.
Wertheimer s photographs, which first gained national attention after elvis presley died on august 16, 1977, capture the metamorphosis of pop music and the cultural transformation of america. His work has appeared in publications including life, paris match and rolling stone. At the time these photos were taken, he was a young 21yearold man, who had no idea of the fame that lay in front of him. In the course of his oneday assignment for rca, wertheimer was struck by the stunningly photogenic performer and. It was the year elvis released his first record, made his first tv appearance, and more and it offers a definitive visual portrait unavailable elsewhere. New york to memphis by alfred wertheimer goodreads. Oct 17, 2017 elvis both famous pictures and some that have never before been published. Elvis both famous pictures and some that have never before been published. In 1956, a twentyoneyearold elvis presley was at the beginning of his remarkable and unparalleled career and photographer alfred wertheimer was asked by presleys new label, rca victor, to photograph the rising star.
What we have here are images of the man who fell to earth. Elvis book by alfred wertheimer, chris murray, peter. Apart from elvis own recordings from this period, wertheimers photographs are the most compelling vintage document of elvis in 1956. No photographer ever again was allowed the same intimate access. Wertheimers recollections of elvis, before he was elvis. In the beginning an intimate, eyewitness photojournal by gregory martinelli,alfred wertheimer and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Alfred wertheimer, a young new york photojournalist, was asked by elviss new label, rca victor, to photograph their new artist. In the beginning an intimate, eyewitness photojournal by gregory martinelli,alfred wertheimer and a great selection of related books, art and. Alfred wertheimer in 2008, holding one of his most famous shots, a photo of elvis presley kissing a woman backstage. In 1956, a twentyoneyearold elvis presley was at the beginning of his remarkable and unparalleled career and photographer alfred wertheimer was asked by presleys.
Nov 10, 2009 elvis 1956 offers black and white photos by alfred wertheimer taken during the year elvis turned 21, and offer a fine visual record of a defining time for rock and roll. A king in the making, the latest photojournal from wertheimer is the standout book of its type in 2007 and one of the best elvis book releases in many years. Alfred wertheimer shares photographs of elvis from his new book. Aug 01, 2007 in 1956, a 21yearold singer called elvis presley was at the beginning of his career. Alfred wertheimer was born in germany in 1930, in the spring of 1956, a series of commercial assignments for rca records led to a shoot of a newly signed singer named. The photos are all black and white and capture elvis before any of the real craziness began. Wertheimer did a good job with compositions and tried to get as close to elvis as possible. As stated in the book, elvis is photographed as a regular citizen, probably for the last time in his life. Alfred wertheimer alfred wertheimer, elvis, art edition. His photographs are in the permanent collections of the experience music project seattle, washington and the folkwang museum essen, germany. Elvis and the birth of rock and roll image 2 alfred wertheimer. He had been in declining health since a bad fall several months ago during a trip to germany for an elvis festival, said his book editor and.
Photographer alfred wertheimer was a special guest at this years elvis week conversations on elvis. A king in the making by alfred wertheimer and peter. Elvis at 21 is a collection of photographs by alfred wertheimer, who happened to be in the right place at the right time. Extraordinary in its intimacy and scope, alfred wertheimers elvis presley portfolio immortalized the singer on the brink of superstardom. Elvis will never be photographed or documented in such a manner in his life time. Elvis and the birth of rock and roll alfred wertheimer 2015taschen deutschland gmbh einband, gebunden, texte in deutschenglischfranzosisch, 360 seiten, ma. I really like the quotation from robert caga,if your pictures are boring,it means youre not close enough. When rca victor asked him to photograph elvis in 1956, wertheimer turned the assignment into a unique opportunity.
A king in the making by wertheimer, alfred, guralnick, peter isbn. Alfred wertheimers photographs are available through govinda gallery. Commissioned by a radio corporation of america publicist, wertheimers photographs have become almost as legendary as the king himself. He is cocurator of the smithsonian institutions exhibition elvis at 21 and is the author or editor of over a dozen books.
This is basically a book of photographs, so there isnt a lot to say about it. Alfred wertheimer was born in germany in 1930, in the spring of 1956, a series of commercial assignments for rca records led. In 1956, a twentyoneyearold elvis presley was at the beginning of his remarkable and unparalleled career and photographer alfred wertheimer was asked by presleys new label, rca victor, to photograph. Elvis the early years har tagits fram i samarbete med the elvis presley estate och innehller ett exklusivt urval av wertheimers fotografier. In 1956, a twentyoneyearold elvis presley was at the beginning of his. Alfred wertheimer 19292014 was born in germany, emigrated to america and settled in brooklyn as a young boy. For a new generation of elvis fans, the book provides an inexpensive edition of wertheimers memorable photos with spectacular tritone printing of the kings sensational impact in 1956 on the emerging popularity of rock and roll.
Elvis and the birth of rock and roll is well worth the. Love this photo book, great images of young elvis made by alfred wertheimer. Elvis shows a lot of emotion in the photographs and they are inspiring. Alfred wertheimer, a young new york freelance photojournalist, was asked by elvis new label, rca victor, to photograph the rising star. Apr 17, 2012 in 1956, a twentyoneyearold singer named elvis presley was at the beginning of his remarkable career. Wertheimers photographs, which first gained national attention after elvis presley died on august 16, 1977, capture the metamorphosis of pop music and the cultural transformation of america.
Elvis 56 in the beginning by alfred wertheimer abebooks. Elvis 1956 vividly captures the year elvis meteorically rose from obscurity to superstardom featuring alfred wertheimers iconic photographs of elvis some neverbefore published or rarely seen and his recollections. In 1956, a photographer named alfred wertheimer had the opportunity to follow a young elvis presley as he jumped from one stage to the next. Alfred wertheimer shares photographs of elvis from his new. Alfred wertheimer elvis 1956 an ein spotlight elvis. Elvis 1956 offers black and white photos by alfred wertheimer taken during the year elvis turned 21, and offer a fine visual record of a defining time for rock and roll. Elvis 1956 by alfred wertheimer goodreads share book. Alfred wertheimer was born in germany in 1930, came to america and settled in brooklyn as a young boy. A king in the making by alfred wertheimer, peter guralnick isbn. Alfred wertheimer photography for sale value guide. And finally, wertheimers magnificent photographs have been released in a way which does them proper justice.
He has photographed such notables as eleanor roosevelt. In the march 20 taschen release of alfred wertheimer. On the publication of taschens new book, elvis and the birth of rock and roll, time met with wertheimer to reminisce about the days and nights he spent with the young rocker on the cusp of. Oct 25, 2014 alfred wertheimer in 2008, holding one of his most famous shots, a photo of elvis presley kissing a woman backstage. Wertheimer described a few of those moments he spent with elvis back in 1956 to the crowd but of course the main topic of discussion was the recent discovery and confirmation of the woman belonging to the famous elvis kiss photograph. Alfred wertheimer, began his career as a photojournalist in 1951, publishing work in such magazines as life and colliers. Love this photobook, great images of young elvis made by alfred wertheimer. Now available as a taschen standard edition, elvis and the birth of rock and roll collects wertheimers most remarkable elvis shots from that magical year, along with a selection of his historic 1958 pictures of the star being shipped off to an army base in germany. Elvis presley was just 21 years old in 1956 and on the brink of stardom when alfred wertheimer was asked to follow the artist around and take as many publicity shots as possible. Elvis at 21 limited edition book by alfred wertheimer. Wertheimer was 26 in in 1956 when he was assigned to photograph presley. Find artist info, artworks for sale, and past pricing data from our auction archives.
Oct 31, 2006 elvis at 21 is a collection of photographs by alfred wertheimer, who happened to be in the right place at the right time. View alfred wertheimer original art for sale at auction. Wertheimer, 84, died sunday at his home in new york. As stated in the book, elvis is photographed as a regular citizen, probably for the last time in. They show elvis presley the performer, the poser, and the seducer, as well as raw and intimate moments of the musician caught unawares, in transit or lost in thought. Quite simply this release is an outstanding example of how to present a photojournal. Elvis and the birth of rock and roll image 1 alfred wertheimer. He took an early interest in architecture and design, which led him to cooper union, from which he graduated in 1951. Elvis at 21 alfred wertheimer exhibition 20 an ein. In fact it is easily the best designed and visually stimulating collection of the famous wertheimer elvis photos yet produced. A king in the making by alfred wertheimer and peter guralnick 2017 hard cover brand new but a slight tear on the bottom of the book cover from bookshelf storage. About the book in 1956, a twentyoneyearold elvis presley was at the beginning of his remarkable and unparalleled career and photographer alfred wertheimer was asked by presleys new label, rca victor, to photograph the rising star.
Alfred wertheimer is a new yorkbased photographer, best known for his photographs of elvis taken in 1956. In early 1956, an rca publicist asked legendary photographer alfred. At the time these photos were taken, he was a young 21yearold man, who had no. Finally, a book which does proper justice to the exquisite photographic images of the young king of rock n roll captured by alfred wertheimer in 1956. Elvis and the birth of rock and roll santelli, robert, murray, chris, wertheimer, alfred on. A jewel for any elvis fan, this collectors edition, signed by wertheimer, brings together remarkable shots of the singer from 1956 and 1958. Limited to 1,956 numbered copies and signed by alfred wertheimer.
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