James Kriegsmann/Getty Images
While still in high school, Simon and Garfunkel (under the name Tom and Jerry) recorded “Hey, Schoolgirl” – a top fifty hit in 1958. Like countless musicians before them, their publicity photo was shot by famed photographer James Kriegsmann – who can also take credit for the photo below of yours truly.
James Kriegsmann/Getty Images
Allow me to introduce myself, pleased to meet you, I hope you can guess my name. My company name is the Michael Ochs Archives and it has just been purchased by Getty Images. The photo above is one of the millions of photographs that are in this collection.
I have been passionately in love with music since my childhood. Upon graduating college, I worked as a rock photographer. After which, I was an artist manager, record company publicist, journalist, music consultant for films, disc jockey, and even taught a music history extension course at U.C.L.A.
I have always been an avid record collector and at some point I decided to collect everything that documented popular music – especially photographs. By 1977, I had given up my last day job to start the Michael Ochs Archives, a stock photography agency specializing in photos of musicians.
As every picture tells a story, I have millions of tales to tell; but now is not the time; however, as time and circumstance permits, perhaps I will get to share these stories with you all. For now, I have to pack and move the collection to Getty Images’ L.A. offices.
To be continued…
Hey Mike,
Don’t forget loading the trunk of your 1953 Ford with posters, records and anything else you thought that good be memorabilia some day.
Congratulations on your success. Few knew the difficulties you faced and overcame.
Cool. Crazy. Congratulations.
And keep on writing, because your stories make us love the photos even more. . .
Michael,
It was fun meeting you in Italy and learning about your life work. Good luck on the next phase of your life. Let me know if you need more information on the subjects we exchanged notes on.
What a fantastic collection you built! Wow! You should be proud.
Terry Gardiner
Dear Michael,
Did you give Getty my Bob Marley images that we had our own specific deal on (contacting me about any offers for my approval)? I don’t mind if Getty wants to maintain the same deal and contact me if they have requests for my photos…but I do want to make sure they know that I still own the exclusive copyrights!
Love,
Kim
Hi Mike,
I wish you well in whatever you decide to do. I remember private people like myself were able to purchase copies of photos on you previous site. The customer service was outstanding and will be missed. Can we still do this at the “Getty site”?
So they just played a Tom Lehrer song on the radio. In looking up his political satire on the Internet, I thought of the song, “Draft Dodger Rag”, which I discovered was written by Phil Ochs. Then I discoverd that his brother is THE Michael Ochs of the Michael Ochs Archives, the archivist of MY brother, Don Paulsen and his rock photos from the 60′s. I have very few momentos of my brother’s life work, although the British music magazine Mojo did a spread of his work at the Apollo Theatre in its March 2006 issue.
Hi Mike
Can you help? I am trying to obtain one or two original photographs of Pink Floyd from circa 1969-1972. Do you know how I go about this. I have contacted Storm Thorgerson etc, but I don’t think they can help me.
Regards.
Hi Mike:
I have something from Elvis I’ve had since 1958 & a very neat story that goes along with it. I’d like to talk to you about it when you get time.
My e-mail address is: Cottontoptexas@aol.com.
Thx,
Karen
Hi Michael,
I recently attended(Jan. 6th) the screening for the documentary about your brother Phil. I had a question for you & Ken Bowser, but I refrained. I am glad I did because I figured out what the probable answer would of been. I would not have had a retort, but I thought of one after I left the theatre. I really think this question and my retort will interest you!
I have co-hosted 4 or 5 tributes to your brother on WNTI Centenary College, Hackettsown, NJ. I was able to get your sister down for the last show, which was in March of ’03. I had a question for your sister during the tribute on NTI, but unfortunately the cassette deck within the studio was not working. Consequently, I asked the question off the air.
Please contact me and I’ll will explain what was on the cassettes. You can reach me at: wallanott@yahoo.com
I enjoyed the documentary!
All the best!
William
Michael,
We saw the “Phil Ochs: There But for Fortune” at the Belcourt
Theater in Nashville last night. What a beautiful film.
I cannot think of another film about that era that
tells the story so well. It is honest, straight forward,
bittersweet and poignant at the same time.
Phil’s voice is pure and a joy to listen to.
His lyrics tell the story as a journalist
would.
I am so pleased that your archive has
gone to the Getty. You and all the staff at
Michael Ochs Rock Archives
were always such a great help to us
at Joan Pearce Research.
We are telling all our friends here
in Nashville about this film.
regards
Michele Teper Wise
Hi, I am an old friend of Allan Rinde’s. were you ever at Thee Experience in1969? I would like to talk to you about some rock and roll history that I have “experienced”. Please feel free to email me.
Marsha Brevetz Roseman