Some legends arrive in silence, others in a scream, and every once in a while, someone is there to witness it and tell the story. Legends aren’t always born in a single flash, but sometimes a photo gets close. This is a collection of those rare moments when you could feel history being written, when rock gods weren’t just playing music, they were becoming something more.
You might know the songs, the albums, or the scandals, but this is where it all started to mean something more. This is where legends became legends.
1
Bob Dylan going electric at Newport Folk Festival, 1965.
In his own rebellion, leaving folk aside and welcoming rock.
2
Nirvana’s MTV Unplugged performance, 1993.
Kurt Cobain redefined grunge.
3
Bruce Springsteen, 1975.
A New Jersey underdog turn into a star with two covers in the same week.
4
Madonna’s “Like a Virgin” performance, 1984.
The performance that represents "pop stardom being born".
5
The Rolling Stones at Altamont, 1969.
Not their birth but a turning point, marking the end of the 60s dream.
6
Iggy Pop leaping into the crowd in the 70s.
The moment the punk movement found his prophet.
7
The S x Pistols on the Thames, 1977.
How they pulled it off is a mystery but they changed rock history then.
8
The Who destroying their instruments on stage in the mid 60s.
We owe it to Pete Townshend that this became the norm at rock concerts.
9
Led Zeppelin in their first U.S. tour, 1969.
Legends in formation.
10
Jimi Hendrix at Monterey Pop, 1967.
When America really met Hendrix. It doesn't get more rock 'n roll than burning a guitar on stage.
11
David Bowie, 1973.
All eyes were on him for the birth of Ziggy Stardust, but they stayed for Bowie.
12
Queen at Live Aid, 1985.
Performances that change a generation and with Freddie Mercury screaming rock god.
13
Patti Smith’s Horses album cover, 1975.
Robert Mapplethorpe’s portrait that gave birth to the pioneer of mixing poetry with punk.
14
The Beatles at The Cavern Club, 1961.
From sweaty taverns to worldwide beatlemania.
15
Elvis Presley on the Milton Berle Show, 1956.
Suggestive, energetic and controversial. Everything you should be.
