Happy 84th, David Gahr - Fete for Legendary Photographer
It was worth driving 80 mph on the Jersey Turnpike yesterday morning to make it to Manhattan's Cosmic Diner (52 St. and 8th Ave.) in time to sing "Happy Birthday" to legendary photographer and all-around mensch David Gahr. Gahr, who turned 84 this week, is known to us not only as a great shooter who captured some of the best images ever of musicians such as Bruce Springsteen; Bob Dylan; Miles Davis; John Lennon, Janis Joplin (see the great photos) and so many top stars. He's also one of the funniest, most irreverent, and occasionally downright vulgar photogs we'd ever let near a superstar. When David is around his subjects, he's the star!
David's good friend, the venerable scribe and man-about-town Arthur Levy, organized the guest list, ordered the birthday cheesecake from S&S,chauffeured the guest of honor from Brooklyn's Park Slope in the midst of the season's worst traffic (thanks to the United Nations) and managed to keep the whole thing a secret.
Biff Henderson, of the Letterman Show, happened in on his lunch break; Arthur pursuaded him to say hi to Dave.
David Gahr surprised even those who've known him for decades with a story about meeting Marilyn Monroe when David was on assignment to cover Monroe's husband Arthur Miller (Monroe had only a bathrobe on, and she pulled a photo of his out from under it.) Hanging on every word were: "Sing Me Back Home" producer Leo Sacks; Holly George Warren, author of an upcoming bio of Gene Autry, who also volunteered to drive David to his account in Queens after the bash; long-time Gahr attorney Joel Siegel; independent record producer Gregg Geller; Verve's Joe McEwen; former Sony pr VP Mary Ellen Cataneo McEwen, looking gorgeous while chatting about Montclair, kids and the record biz with her erstwhile colleagues, pr consultants Howard Wuelfing and Keith McCarthy; Andy Schwartz, taking a break from work on his forthcoming rock history book (with Scott Schinder) for an educational publisher; Legacy producer Steve Berkowitz, who's just completed 'Johnny Cash: the Legend, Volume 2' and is working on a complete collection of the works of Lonnie Johnson; former Sony staffer Barry Feldman, whose Barry Feldman Financial Services for NY Life specializes in music biz clients; Sony BMG Special Markets' Doug Wygal; and our wonderful friends at Legacy, those intelligent and soulful guys Jeff Jones, Adam Block, Tom Laskey, John Jackson and Randy Haecker.
Happy Birthday, David Gahr! 84 years young...and feisty!
posted by Marilyn @ 4:35 PM
15 comments
15 Comments:
It was nice to see Dave again 75 years later.
mark shulkin
Sam (David's baby brother) and I really enjoyed reading about his surprise birthday party. (Nice article) Though we still live in the old home town in Wiscosin, it was wonderful to know he is still having fun at age 84. Thanks for sharing. Rona Gahr
I am so sorry I missed Davids Party...I love you David if you get to see this...living in Philadelphia I dont get to see him much.. Happy Birthday... I stare at my David Gahr collection of photos on the wall of my music room helps to inspire those bluesy licks...
Seth Goldman
Flatiron Color Lab / LTI
reub1@comcast.net
Hello! ;)
wow... what crazy news!
what do U consider about it?
Congratulations Dave. It's been some 50 plus years since Sam Goody's, where the photography bug hit you. Love to hear from you
Leon Kay
In 1967 David Gahr took a photo of my husband Hans Koningsberger for his novel, The revolutionary, published by Simon and Shuster. I was and is the most wonderful photo ever taken of him...he died in april last year but I have my David Gahr photo. Kate
I am trying to locate info on David Gahr, and found your through a google search. Working on a small film that would like to use some of his images, but keep hitting brick walls. Can you offer any help? THANK YOU!
Trying to locate info on David Gahr and one of the only informative articles on Google led me to this event. Trying to locate Mr. Gahr for an image use for a documentary. Any info you can offer would be most appreciated!
Sadly, David passed away on May 25th, 2008.
I met Gahr in the mid '70s through Steve Tannenbaum, a mutual friend, who would occasionally visit Gahr at his place on 8th Avenue in Brooklyn.
I didn't know him really well, but nonetheless, he seemed to be a really sweet guy. I distinctly remember a Wretched Refuse String Band photo session with Gahr in Central Park in which he insisted we remove our sunglasses, declaiming that we looked too hostile, all the while, shouting a torrent of obscenities at us to keep us in line.
Marty
So sorry to read about David's passing over the weekend. For close to 30 years, I worked in the Atlantic Records' art dept. and fondly remember David visiting my office everytime he was in the building. One of my greatest possessions, a birthday gift from David, is an original signed photo he took of John Lennon.
Rest in peace David.
Amy J. Goldstein
There seems to be misinfomation about David Gahr. (He is being confused with another David Gahr born in 1942.)
And for those who want some background: He was born on Sept. 17, 1922 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Max and Yetta Gahr. He was one of 5 children. He graduated with a bachelor/Masters from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He received a Ph.D. from Columbia University in Political Science. We think he never finished his PhD. thesis. RBG
I am so sorry to learn of the death of David Gahr. I wrote earlier that he had taken a photo of my husband, Hans Koningsberger in l967 for his novel, The Revolutionary. I said it
was published by Simon and Schuster, but it was actually Farrar Straus.. nevertheless, the photo is the best photo ever. Those were the days.. and I miss all those wonderful people who were born in the 20's. Kate
Hello , I wonder does anyone know how one gets in touch with the estate of David Gahr for permission to use his images, and indeed to source prints/ digital scans of his images for a documentary on The Clancy Brothers. Thanks, Anna Rodgers
David's estate is being handled by JOEL SIEGAL, 212 233 6900; and Benjamin Stolman, lawyer, 347 787 6713. We miss you David.
li met david in 72 at mar e sol
he took my pic
when i performed
i never got a copy
anyone know how i can get a copy
david was a great guy
how can i get in touch with
arthur levy
paul zotos
pwzotos@gmail.com
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