Elton John, 'In Black Leather'
Regular price £1,200.00© Jack Robinson Archive
London, U.K. 1970
Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity
Elton John was born Reginald Dwight in London. His father wanted him to go into banking but recognized his musical gifts and supported his training at the Royal Academy of Music. In 1967, he met his long-term songwriting partner Bernie Taupin and not long after changed his name to Elton John, derived from the Bluesology sax player Elton Dean and a rock-star friend Long John Baldry. When Jack Robinson photographed him on November 6, 1970, the twenty-three year old Elton John had become internationally known just that year. Clearly, even by this time his trademark appearance- the baby-face framed by oversize eyeglasses, and multi-colored garb - was already established. The feature in Vogue on January 1, 1970 points out the role of Elton in the shift from electric guitar to piano-based music, noting his recent show piano-to-piano with Leon Russell at the Fillmore East. He 'plays music touched by the blues and the classics, sings a conversational shout to suit his look, at twenty-three, of a hip Christopher Robin (sideburns like kiss curls).'
Born in 1928, Jack Robinson grew up in Clarksdale, Mississippi, attended Tulane University, and pursued photography as a hobby in New Orleans. His early street portraits captured New Orleans' rich culture.
In 1955, he moved to New York, becoming a renowned freelance fashion photographer, even gracing the cover of Life Magazine within four years. In 1965, he joined Vogue Magazine and impressed Diana Vreeland with his portrait work. Jack completed numerous assignments for Vogue over seven years. In 1972, he returned to Memphis to care for his parents, ending his photography career. Later, he excelled in stained glass design.
When he passed away from cancer in 1997, his extensive photographic legacy was discovered, leading to The Jack Robinson Archive and The Robinson Gallery, fulfilling his posthumous wish to preserve his work.
The Jack Robinson Archive
The Mirror
The Telegraph
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