Biographie
Frank Griffin is an English rock-n-roll and celebrity photographer.
His photography has been featured internationally in magazines such as Bravo, Voici (France), News of the World, Hello, Holla (Spain), Rolling Stone, Times (Special Edition), People, National Enquirer, Paris Match.
He photographed such musicians and bands as Led Zeppelin, Dire Straights, Police, Queen, Status Quo, Knack, Blondie, Peter Frampton, George Harrison, Wings, Rolling Stones, Aerosmith (live in Dusseldorf, Germany), New Order, Thompson Twins, Sigue Sigue Sputnick, Soft Cell, A-Ha, Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet, Pretenders, B52, Fine Young Cannibals, Kim Wilde, Roxy Music, Guns & Roses, Motorhead, AC/DC. Griffin also produced video stills for Flock of Seagulls "Picture of You", Wham "Club Tropicana", Duran Duran "Girls on Film", Stray Cats "Stray Cat Strut" (with producer Julien Temple).
Early Life
Frank Griffin was born in Yorkshire, England. His mother was a gifted painter and yoga teacher, and his father was a village photographer.
Career:
1970s
In 1970s Frank Griffin started his career as a music photographer in Munich, Germany attending rock concerts and publishing his pictures at "Bravo" magazine. He became a part of British and European punk and rock music movement, and documented lives and concerts of many legendary British bands and singers like Dire Straights, Led Zeppelin, Sigue Sigue Sputnick, Status Quo, Knack, Police, Blondie, Peter Frampto. In 1979 a friend and English painter Braaq (Brian Shields, 1951-1997) visited and lived in Frank Griffin's studio in Munich. While in Munich Braaq painted a series of pastels that now in private collections, galleries, and museums of Great Britain.
1980s
Live Aid
In 1985 Frank was one of 30 accredited photographers covering "Live Aid" marathon-concert at Wembley Arena, London, UK. His images among others were published in the official photo album of "Live Aid". In 1985 Frank Griffin received an appreciation letter from His Royal Highness Prince Charles's Trust for covering Dire Straits performing in Princes Trust Rock Gala in Wembley Arena, London, UK.
Prince
In 1987-1988 Frank Griffin became a personal photographer for a singer Prince, and travelled with the signer and his band on both tours "Sign O' the Times" and "Lovesexy". Frank Griffin's photographs of Prince were published in Rolling Stone (Special Collectors Edition), Time (Commemorative Edition), The Genius Of Prince (Special Commemorative Edition from the Editors of Vanity Fair, The New Yorker, Wired, and Pitchwork), Essence (Collector's Edition).
In 1980s Frank Griffin photographed George Harrison at "Hand Made Films" (at his office), Paul McCartney with "Wings" (in his recording studio and on the road), Rolling Stones (live in Leeds), Knack (USA West Coast tour), Aerosmith (live in Dusseldorf, Germany), Dire Straights (European tour), Blondie (live in Germany and UK), Police (European tour), Thompson Twins (video shoot in Portugal), Soft FfCell (PA in Greece), A-Ha (live in Sweden), Duran Duran (live in UK, video shoots in the studio), Spandau Ballet (live in Covent Garden, UK), Pretenders (shoots in studio, Munich, Germany), B52 (Bravo studio, Munich, Germany), Fine Young Cannibals (studio, London, UK), Kim Wilde (concerts and studio in London, UK), Roxy Music (live in Dublin, Ireland), Guns & Roses (live at Hammersmith Odeon, UK supporting Kiss), Motorhead (live at the Hammersmith Odeon, UK), Queen (live at Wembley Arena, UK). Video stills produced at this time: Flock of Seagulls "Picture of You", Wham "Club Tropicana", Duran Duran "Girls on Film", Stray Cats "Stray Cat Strut" (with producer Julien Temple). Freddie Mercury's Birthday
In 1987 Frank Griffin attended Freddie Mercury's 41st birthday party in Pike's Hotel and later photographed Freddie's performance with Montsserat Caballe at Ibiza's "Ku" club in Spain, where the singers introduced a world mega-hit "Barcelona".
1990s and 2000s
In 1989 after taking part in a historical New Year celebration at the crushed Berlin Wall, Frank Griffin moved to the USA. He started working with "National Enquirer" magazine and focused on reporting and celebrity photography. Charles Manson Women. In 1992 "National Examiner" magazine gave Griffin an assignment to photograph four women followers of Charles Manson. They lived near Corcoran, California State Jail, in Kings County, California. Frank photographed two of these women. The pictures were published by "National Examiner". Later the originals were destroyed due to an anthrax attack on "National Enquirer" headquarters in 2001.
O.J.Simpson trial
In 1994 Frank photographed and was on the rota at the courtroom in O.J.Simpson's criminal trial. Griffin also took a famous picture of the White Bronco chase that was published in "Paris Match" cover page. In 1997 Frank with his partner Randy Bauer founded a photo agency specializing in celebrities and event photography. For many years their agency and photographers covered celebrities stories as well as Oscars, Golden Globe, Cannes Film Festival, Victoria Secret's Show, and other entertainment industry shows. Frank Griffin appeared in several TV programs and documentaries about celebrity photography and culture. In 2005 "American Photo" magazine ranked 43 Frank Griffin and Randy Bauer among the 100 most important people in photography.
Architectural Photography:
Since 2014 Frank Griffin photographs Los Angeles's city landmarks and architecture. It became a natural extension of his photographic experience and artistic expression. He centers his focus around Los Angeles, its modern architectural forms, changing landscapes, popular city spots, and celebrity hangouts. His images are regularly published by Los Angeles Times, ESPN, Hollywood Reporter, many popular blogs and Internet editions.
