Even though Kurt Cobain ended up hating the song, Smells Like Teen Spirit remains Nirvana’s most popular song from the masterpiece album Nevermind. It encapsulated teenage angst and rebellious spirit against the pop grain that preceded grunge.
Featuring the legendary singer of Nirvana on its cover, the recently-published book titled Nineties Spirit, Music Caught on Camera published by teNeus celebrates the incredible changes the decade brought to music and art.
Its author, Paul Bergen, who was born in 1957, is one of the most well-known music photographers in the Netherlands. He has been covering rock concerts, happenings and musical events for more than 30 years. His extraordinary archive includes stars and legends such as David Bowie, Iggy Pop, the Rolling Stones, Black Sabbath, The Smashing Pumpkins, The Prodigy, Pearl Jam, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and many others. More recently, Beyoncé also features amongst the stars he’s shot. His work has appeared in a wide range of publications and in many gallery shows.
This fantastic book depicts the life and work of some of the most important rock stars of the era and features them both backstage and onstage. Bringing a rare sense of intimacy, Bergen’s lens captures unique moments of music, life and energy on stage. With around 200 pictures in both black&white and colour, this remarkable book showcases one of the most significant times of the music industry. Here, you’ll see Iggy Pop on stage, half naked and full of his incredible charisma or an innocent shot of broken singer Mary J. Blige, later in vibrant red and blue tones, the late Keith Flint, singer of The Prodigy seems mesmerised by the audience.
The book brilliantly juxtaposes portraits with staged images; other times live spirit, passion and enthusiasm for these performer’s work.
In short interesting and personal testimonials, interviews, and commentaries, the authors bring the iconic decade alive again. They make Nineties Spirit a unique chronicle of the times that captures an entire generation’s attitude toward life, death, art and lifestyle.
Nineties Spirit, Music Caught on Camera by Paul Bergen is a must-have for any fan of these iconic bands, this era, and the vitality it brought to artistic and musical genres for decades to come.
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