Grateful Dead   

I was greatly saddened to learn of the death of legendary concert photographer Jim Marshall this week, who was found dead in a New York hotel room on March 24th at age 74.

Marshall's typically black & white documentary-style photos are some of the most iconic images in rock and roll; his exceptional eye managed to catch some of music's biggest names in the most intimate situations.

Whenever anyone asks me how I got the photographs I did, why I was often the only photographer present or got such unique access I reply simply, ‘Trust.’
— Jim Marshall

Much has already been written about Marshall's death (see here, here, here, and here), so I'll just leave you with a gallery of some of my favorite Jim Marshall photos. They say a picture's worth a thousand words, but I think some of these are worth well more than that.

Rest in peace Jim. Your legacy in photos will live forever.

Cash Flipping The Bird || 1969

Garcia Backstage at Woodstock || 1969

Jim Morrison Smoking || 1968

Hendrix at the Drums || 1967

Dylan Press Conference || 1965

If you like live music and have an iPhone, I've got some great news for you. Yesterday the Live Music Archive iPhone App went live in the App Store on iTunes.

For just $1.99 you'll get access to over 70,000 live shows by more than 2,800 bands including Bela Fleck, Bisco, DBT, DTB, & DSO, Further, G. Love, McLovins, MMJ, North Mississippi Allstars, Phil & Friends, Robert Randolph, Soulive, STS9, SCI, TLG, and Umphrey's McGee.

And perhaps best of all, you'll have over 6,700 Grateful Dead shows (and counting) at your fingertips wherever you go!

Like most apps this one has a few shortcomings — it'd be nice to group shows by year and sort by rating or date added, and of course you can't use other apps while you're listening — but for less than $2 it's kinda hard to complain.

Download the Live Music Archive iPhone App on iTunes now.

[$1.99 | iTunes | official site]

See also Jamtopia's Best iPhone Music Apps of 2009.

Disclosure: Jamtopia recieves a small commission when you buy from iTunes. Learn more.

Earlier this week The Dead played a two-night stand at Allstate Arena in Chicago and Jamtopia had local photographer Jason Kaczorowski (pronounced Kaz-er-ah-ski) on the scene.

When he's not busy working as a wedding photographer, Jason volunteers as a concert photographer for the Mockingbird Foundation and Headcount. Plus he's currently organizing Mock Show, a poster convention during this summer's Phish Red Rocks shows.

I hope you enjoy Jason's great concert photos of The Dead in Chicago as much as I do.