Anton Corbijn to publish three decades' worth of Tom Waits photos - Los Angeles Times
Advertisement

Anton Corbijn to publish three decades’ worth of Tom Waits photos

Share via
Los Angeles Times Pop Music Critic

Photographer Anton Corbijn has over his career shot a number of iconic images: U2 in the California desert for “The Joshua Tree,” William Burroughs standing in front of a shooting target, Joy Division posing in a subway tunnel.

Few, however, have been as fruitful and spirited as his work over the decades with singer and songwriter Tom Waits. The two have collaborated since 1977, and the product of that artistic relationship has been documented in the forthcoming book “Waits/Corbijn 77-11.” The book is limited to 6,600 copies, and will be issued on May 8. The price: $199.

As per the titled, “Waits/Corbijn” comprises images stretching through their 2011 shoot for Waits’ album “Bad as Me.” The earliest of these sessions occurred during Waits’ mid-career blossoming, and that initial work sparked an ongoing artistic relationship; over the years, Corbijn has documented Waits as he released Heart Attack & Vine,” “Rain Dogs,” “Frank’s Wild Years,” “Mule Variations” and a dozen-odd others.

Advertisement

The book also publishes for the first time a series of images that Waits shot at Corbijn’s urging, described in the publisher’s announcement as being “of the vivid quotidian, stretching down through the years.” As well, the cloth-bound book features new writing by critic Robert Christgau and director Jim Jarmusch.

RELATED:

Personal playlist: Tom Waits

Advertisement

Critic’s Notebook: Riffing with Tom Waits

Don Van Vliet’s tip for guitarists: ‘Listen to the birds’

Follow Randall Roberts on Twitter: @liledit

Advertisement

PHOTOS AND MORE

PHOTOS: Iconic rock guitars and their owners


The Envelope: Awards Insider


PHOTOS: Grammy top nominees

Advertisement