CLEVELAND -- Never before seen photographs of iconic music artists such as Michael Jackson, Prince and Madonna have made their way to Cleveland. They are part of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's newest exhibit.
"Herb Ritts: The Rock Portraits" opens to the public on Friday, March 13. Ritts is known for photographing musical legends.
"This moment that did not exist, and Herb made this happen," said Rolling Stone Director of Photography Laurie Kratochvil.
Ritts captured millions of moments.
"The best that we can tell Herb shot somewhere near about two million rolls of film," said Herb Ritts Foundation Executive Director Mark McKenna.
Of those moments, 108 are on display at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
"He captured them, who they were, but through his unique lens," said McKenna.
From the career launching photograph he took of Richard Geer with the first camera he bought in 1978 to his passing in 2002, Ritts photographed countless friends who became big-time celebrities.
"Joe Cocker and, of course, someone he collaborated with many many times over the years, Madonna," said McKenna.
He directed 13 music videos and his work lives on more than 400 magazine covers, including 45 for Rolling Stone.
"He could take the person and with so few props and production make a really iconic picture that would be remembered forever," said Kratochvil.
And through his work, he too, would be remembered forever.
"I think he would be really proud and excited to be able to present this body of his work which has never been presented before," said Kratochvil.
Another special feature about this exhibit is there is a whole wall on who Herb Ritts was as a person. You get to see the photographs he created, but you also get a glimpse at the man behind the lens.
This exhibit goes on display during a monumental year for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This year marks the museum's 20th anniversary, and it expects to welcome its 10 millionth visitor as soon as the doors open on Thursday March 12. The 10-millionth visitor gets a prize package valued at $4,000, which includes tickets to the sold out Induction Ceremony.
This will be the fourth year Cleveland will host the event. It is taking place on April 18th. Leading up to the ceremony is Cleveland Rock Week, which is a series of events wrapped around the excitement of the Induction Ceremony.
