Old Town Center for the Arts ~ Cottonwood, AZ

The Old Town Center for the Arts ~ Cottonwood, AZ

John Rowland's website

An evening with world renowned photographer
John Rowlands

Saturday, November 21, 7:00 pm

$8 advance, $10 at the door, $8 Seniors

The Life’s Work and Stories of John Rowlands
shows his slides on the big screen

On Saturday, November 21st at 7:00 PM the Old Town Center for the Arts will present the first in a new series of events entitled “Spice of Life.” This series is dedicated to engaging evenings with a wide range of people, organizations and topics. Beyond performance and art this series will provide a wide open forum, including a look into individuals whose life, work, and ideas offer rich opportunities for learning, inspiration, and interest. Some events will be presentations; others will include a dialogue and communication with the audience; all will be devoted to bringing a diversity of art, occupation, every-day life and story to this special series format.

The kickoff event in the “Spice of Life” series will feature world famous photographer John Rowlands. John is well known for taking pictures of Elvis, the Beatles, Rolling Stones, and, well, just about every major rock and pop icon or group you can think of. When you review the list of John’s photos you’ll wonder if there is any celebrity he has not photographed. But what’s more interesting is the stories that go along with spending time with George, John, Paul, Ringo, Elvis, Michael Jackson, Bob Dylan, Bob Hope, Tiger Woods, Sting, Red Skelton, Mick Jagger, Jimi Hendrix, and a list that goes on and on.

This event will be the first time that John has presented a retrospective look at his life’s work. From thousands of photos, he’ll select some of his best to broadcast on the theater’s large screen, providing a glimpse into his art form, and the fascinating lives of artists and stars that have influenced our world. This event will precede the December 10th release of John’s Limited Edition book “rock & rowlands FLASHBACK”, a follow up to his SPOTLIGHT HEROES book.

Mr. Rowlands has been photographing music and movie celebrities since 1960, and was one of the very first dedicated music photographers in a blooming record industry. John's first paid job was with Brenda Lee and after looking at his prints her management sent him his first check for $35. The Brenda Lee work led to shoots with Sam Cooke, Bobby Vee, Duane Eddy and then the British Invasion with acts like Gerry and the Pacemakers, The Dave Clark Five, The Rolling Stones and in 1965 and 1966, The Beatles.

His work was noticed by record companies, management firms, magazines, newspapers and the artists themselves and by the late 60’s he was shooting several jobs a week and starting to travel the world with and for these icons of musical youth.
His 50 years in the business has taken him around the world, allowing him to work with almost everyone of note in pop/rock music through five decades, resulting in thousands of photos and 110 Album/CD covers. Worldwide magazines and trade papers have featured his work from London to Hong Kong, and from highway billboards to point of sale posters, his work has stayed in the public eye to this day

Here is your chance to meet one of the most prolific photographers of the past 50 years, who now lives in the Verde Valley. There will be time for questions from the audience. Spread the word about this unique event, and the first “Spice of Life” event at OTCA.

Partial list of John Rowlands photos

Creative milestones include his time and work with David Bowie, The Beatles, Elvis Presley, Conway Twitty, Red Skelton, Dick Van Dyke, 4 tours with the Rolling Stones, Jefferson Airplane, The Byrds, The Band, Diana Ross, Chet Atkins, James Burton, Eric Clapton, Lennie Breau, The Guess Who, The Eagles, Anne Murray, KISS, Madonna, Michael Jackson, The Police, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, The Grateful Dead, Blondie, Brad Paisley, Badfinger, George Harrison, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Wolfman Jack, Brenda Lee, Rory Gallagher, Susan Jacks, Muddy Waters, Howlin Wolf, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, Foreigner, REO Speedwagon, Christopher Reeve, Genesis, Peter Gabriel, Ike and Tina Turner, Bryan Adams, Meatloaf, Heart, Ted Nugent, Cyndi Lauper, Blood Sweat and Tears, Ray Parker Jr., Chris Botti, Al Jarreau, Dolly Parton, Reba McIntyre, Travis Tritt, Big and Rich, Charlie Daniels, Steve Vai, Neil Diamond, The Who, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Alice Cooper, B.B. King, Bill Haley, Gene Pitney, B.J. Thomas, George Jones, Loretta Lynn, Larry Gatlin, Hank Williams Jr., Jane Fonda, Vincent Price, Patti Quattro, Gene Hackman, Allan Nicholls, Ocean, Sly and the Family Stone, The Dave Clark Five, Lonnie Mack, Charlie Rich, Manhattan Transfer, Brenda Russell, Burton Cummings, Frank Marino, Rex Smith, Linda Ronstadt, Billy Joel, Bob Marley, Bob Dylan, Elton John, Jonny Lang, Lucinda Williams, Emylou Harris, Willie Nelson, The Whites, The Stampeders, Johnny Winter, Steve Miller, Alan Jackson, Kenny Chesney, George Strait, Miranda Lambert, Don Rickles, Bobby Vinton, The Ventures, Ronnie Hawkins, Alvin Lee, Albert Lee, Porter Wagonner, Tiger Woods, Michael Franks, James Taylor, America, Dennis Quaid, Robert Wagoner, The Rippingtons, Bobby Gentry, The Staples Singers, Bobby Vee, Tanya Tucker, Donna Summers, Martha Reeves, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Mott the Hoople, Queen Latifah, Natalie Cole, Howard Shore, John Belushi, Gilda Radner, Billy Murray, Harold Ramis, Joe Flaherty, John Candy, Dan Aykroyd, Paul Anka, Lee Ritenour, Euge Groove, Lou Rawls, The Spinners, Bill Cosby, Bob Hope, Ruth Buzzi, Steve Martin, Lighthouse, Carlos Santana, Steve Tyrell, Howard Keel, George Benson, Lyle Lovett, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Gary Mule Deer, Moody Blues, Jack Benny, Jack Lemmon, Stevie Nicks, The Carpenters, Gordon Lightfoot, Jim Croce, Olivia Newton-John, Black Sabbath, Van Halen, Rick Nelson, Link Wray, Barry Manilow, The Beach Boys, Journey, Cat Stevens, Dr. John, Jerry Reed, Steppenwolf, Kansas, Electric Light Orchestra, Loggins and Messina, Leonard Cohen, John Denver, Mark Bolan, Robert Palmer, Prince, Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Cash, Pat Boone, Will Donato, and thousands of others too numerous to list here.

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