From the Front Row: Intimate Shots from Legendary Shows

Photographer, Brian Diamond, who got his start in the entertainment business as part of the original production teams for both MTV and MTV Europe in the 80s, started a free-lance concert photography business in the late 1970s that would become the foundation of his passion for capturing live music from some of the greatest artists of the day.

Back then, concert promoters and their security detail were more concerned about tape recorders entering their venues than camera gear. One such concert promoter was a family relative and a New York legend.

With a full camera bag in tow, along with that promoter providing access to great seats (and later at some of the other name venues in and around the NY metro area), he witnessed a multitude of performances from card-carrying legends as well as bands who would ultimately make it to the big time, some whom would be supported by MTV during his 15 years there.

It is through the encouragement of friends and colleagues who have seen these historic shots over the years, that he decided to revive his archive. Brian said,

"Those four years of 1977-81 were rich with groundbreaking music; I was lucky enough to witness it through my camera lens. That explosive energy is still relevant some 45 years later."

This is a select group of photographs, all shot on either black & white, color transparency, or color slide film and printed on Giclee glossy paper.

The collection is vast and he will add more timeless photos over time.

In the words of the great Rod Stewart, “Every picture tells a story…don’t it”