Photo Credit: Bob Minkin

Bob Minkin stepped on the scene with a camera in hand at age 15, shooting New Riders of the Purple Sage during their 1974 appearances at New York’s Academy of Music. The experience had a significant impact on his trajectory, leading to the Senior Photographer title at Relix [1970s-90s] and a stockpile of Big Apple concert photos spanning B.B. King, the Grateful Dead and more. Now, Minkin has launched a Kickstarter campaign, where folks support the project by pre-ordering a copy of New York Rocked!

The limited-edition hardback photo book showcases musicians, venues, and scenes that celebrate New York’s vivacious live-music scene during the 1970s-90s. The new book succeeds Minkin’s previously released projects related to the Grateful Dead, including Live Dead, Just Jerry, Just Bobby, and Just Phil, which connect fans with their favorite band members using a unique photo concentration. These books were also launched on Kickstarter. 

Whereas the Dead have been a primary focus for Minkin, he also explored other artists and genres, capturing the enduring blues greats, the birth of punk, and rock and roll legends who filtered in and out of the city’s clubs, theaters, and arenas during the aforementioned eras. 

According to Minkin, “This 224-page hardcover will feature a comprehensive collection of my work, including many rare and never-before-published images. From the punk era, to the packed arenas where classic rock reigned, to the smoky blues joints where legends kept the roots alive — this book will span it all.”

Beyond the previous subjects, New York Rocked! also compiles images of Hot Tuna, Santana, Bruce Springsteen, The Clash, Talking Heads, Ramones, Muddy Waters, Allman Brothers, Bonnie Raitt, Frank Zappa, Johnny Winter, Grace Slick, Peter Tosh, Albert King, Al DiMeola, Weather Report, Jethro Tull, The Who, and Paul Simon. 

In addition to musicians, the book offers a glimpse inside venues like The Palladium, Bottom Line, Lone Star Café, Central Park, Madison Square Garden, Beacon Theatre, Capitol Theatre (Passaic), Radio City, Wetlands, Bond’s International Casino, The Ritz, My Father’s Place, and more. 

Learn more and take part in Minkin’s New York Rocked! Kickstarter.