The photographs of Jenny Lens—many unseen, and many more well-known but seldom credited—are poignant reminiscences of a rude and rowdy moment in punk rock history. From 1976 to 1980, Lens took early shots of groups that would go on to be legendary: the Germs, the Go-Gos, Blondie, the Ramones, the Damned, the Clash, Iggy Pop, and many more. Punk Pioneers chronicles the music scene as it raged from stadium and glam rock to punk, steadfastly archiving early pioneers, followers, writers, fans, and performers at shows, backstage, and at parties. Lens reveals untold stories with rare and candid images: Joey Ramone poolside before a show in San Francisco; Debbie Harry tearing off her wedding dress on stage in L.A.; Iggy Pop painting on a whim in the Hollywood Hills. This book stands alone as a record of punk legend, capturing the energy and brilliance, passion and frustration, and most importantly the fight for music and art that embodied the punk movement. Featuring a foreword by renowned photographer Glen E. Friedman, this is one of the most important and most beautiful collections of photography of the least documented era in punk.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
"If the rise of "punk" heralded the decline of Western Civilization, through Lens' compassionate eye it doesn't look that way." ~Black Book
About the Author
Jenny Lens earned a BA in Art from California State University and MFA in Design from Cal Arts. Her iconic and often uncredited shots are rarely exhibited, but are in demand more than ever. Her photos have been published internationally since 1976 in legendary fanzines such as Slash, Flipside, and Back Door Man, in mainstream magazines Creem, Rolling Stone, Spin, and NME, Melody Maker, and MOJO in England, and have been featured in documentaries including American Hardcore, Punk: Attitude, and Ramones Too Tough to Die.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
From Someone Who Was There,
This review is from: Punk Pioneers (Hardcover)
Jenny documented the work of artists from all backgrounds and ethnicities. She was one of a handful who documented the early Hollywood punk scene, which was pretty well integrated. Jenny was never afraid of me and that's saying something, because lots of people were. The Vex and the Hollywood scene did not happen at the same time and those who attempt to distort history by lumping them together are making a big mistake.
Punk Pioneers by Jenny Lens is far and away the most awesome coffee table quality book about the early punk scene. It contains an incredible range of artists that were around during punk's conception, birth, and childhood. Its scope is much broader and helps the reader understand where punk was coming from and what was going on in the parallel musical universes of bands like Van Halen and artists like Bob Marley. I think this aspect of Jenny's book is really important, because as I've said time and time again, seeing early punk in isolation does not really convey how far it was from the mainstream nor does it acknowledge the influences of what came before it. Jenny's book acknowledges the New York punk and early glam bands that set the stage for what would become a unique West Coast cultural movement. Punk Pioneers cements Jenny's status as punk photography's Alpha Bitch.
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Photos!,
By Cherie Penguin (Houston,TX,USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Punk Pioneers (Hardcover)
This book is the bomb!I like the book because it shows the musicians (and fans) in impromptu settings,which creates an air of being there.I like the large photo layout and the fact that there is not too much text to distract the reader from focusing on what's going on in the photos.It has become my new "coffee table" book!
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing Photographer is an Inspiration!,
By Artifix Greg "Artifix Greg" (CA, USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Punk Pioneers (Hardcover)
Artifix Greg: "I was on Amazon and I saw that your book is finally coming out! Great news there!!!!! You've inspired us at Artifix Records with your work and friendship. You have produced an amazing body of work and you will be remembered forever. I see the name Jenny Lens popping up so much now! In just a few short years, you have really re-established yourself and you are the top dog! Congratulations!" -from an e-mail sent to Jenny Lens from Artifix Records
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