Musician And Photographer - Harry Diltz

For album lovers everywhere, the palette format that creates for distinctive cover art is one of the greatest draws to the vinyl album. And album art has become more than just an industry term, but a full-fledged medium, no matter what genre you prefer. While software like Photoshop has enabled today's designer to produce vinyl album covers that defy convention, they owe a debt of gratitude to those that pioneered the form.

One of these men, Henry Diltz, nearly redefined the process in the 1960s. Catapulting rock vinyl beyond just a mere auditory medium, Diltz started his venture into the music industry as a founding member of the Modern Folk Quartet. However, he soon gravitated toward photography. After meeting the Monkees and sitting on some recording sessions, he soon started photographing the growing act. As his portfolio grew, so did his reputation. He was called the official photographer of the Woodstock Festival in 1969. Still, it was rock vinyl where Diltz really left his mark.

Photographing some of the biggest names in rock in the late 1960s, Diltz captured pictures of musical icons that still speak to watchers across generational lines. For his career, Diltz has photographed over 80 covers of rock vinyl albums. Of those, some have been truly career defining. His credits include the Doors' "Morrison Hotel," Crosby, Stills and Nash's eponymous debut effort and Stephen Still's self-titled solo debut. Diltz was placed in rarified air in the world of rock journalism due to his work on these timeless rock vinyl masterpieces.

Even beyond mere covers of vinyl albums, Diltz resume is also jittered with images of both cultural and musical legends. His documentation of Jim Morrison and Jimi Hendrix living subtly captured their live imagination. His soft remembrances of Joni Mitchell, Neil Young and James Taylor captured their subdued essence on film. His sullen photographs of a young Michael Jackson still serves as an evidence to his tortured childhood, a young boy both in the spotlight and running from it. Still, it's Diltz contribution to the world of rock vinyl that will leave the longest-lasting impression.

Nowadays, Diltz is still up to his old tricks. His images of current acts such as Pearl Jam, Henry Rollins and Korn have captured the rage of a new generation of rockers. As Glenn Frey of the Eagles once defined Diltz's work, "This is not history. This is evidence!"

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James Watts is a freelance writer living in Philadelphia.  He is passionate about Vinyl Albums music and has devoted much of his professional life to helping young artists gain the exposure they need.  When not writing or attending shows, Watts can often be found cheering on his beloved Phillies or cooking up one of his signature culinary creations.