Jeffrey Mayer (b. 1948, New York City) | Photographer
Starting his 50+ year career in the summer of 1966, after seeing The Beatles at Shea Stadium, Jeffrey went on to document the emerging rock scene and the recording artists who would become immortal, not just changing popular entertainment, but World Culture. Mayer’s photo archive has grown to become among the most comprehensive in the music industry and here-to-date known only to music industry insiders. It’s a unique collection that spans virtually every genre of music.
Professional Background
What started as a passion became a full time career by 1967. Jeffrey began shooting local shows produced by the legendary New York DJ, Murray the K — selling the images to music magazines and newspapers. Jeffery left his job as a draftsman, and a promising career as a civil engineer was abandoned, the allure of Rock Music was too strong... In the ’67-’68 time frame Jeffrey formed a partnership with a high school friend (a writer) and they began creating Rock N Roll content for syndication to magazines and PR agencies. In 1972, they moved the company to Los Angeles. A few years later Mayer struck out on his own as a freelance photographer covering every aspect of the music business, including concert photography and trade photos for the record labels. As Music Videos emerged a key marketing vehicle in the late '70s, Jeffrey documented the video shoots including behind the scenes and the performances.
Magazines and Newspapers:ROLLING STONE, BILLBOARD, CASHBOX, RECORD WORLD, BRAVO (Germany), CHICAGO TRIBUNE, CIRCUS, CREAM, GUITAR, LOS ANGELES TIMES, MELODY MAKER, METAL, MODERN DRUMMER, MUSIC LIFE (Japan), NEW YORK POST, NEW YORK TIMES, WASHINGTON POST, TIME, PEOPLE, US WEEKLY, SPIN , SMITHSONIAN, and hundreds of other international publications.
Books and Album Covers: “Led Zeppelin By Led Zeppelin”, The Led Zeppelin Box sets, “How The West Was Won”, Pat Benatar – “Get Nervous” Album Cover, “Ten Years After – Live” – Album Cover, The Grateful Dead Book “Eyes Of The World – 1965 – 1995 – Grateful Dead Photography” Plus countless Music Publishing portfolios and books not recorded.
Music Video Shoots: Dozens (possibly hundreds) of videos, Jeffrey worked with virtually every major and minor Record Company over a period of 45 years. Such as ABC Dunhill Records, A&M Records, Atlantic Records, Blue Note Records, BMG Records, Columbia Records, CBS Records, Chrysalis Records, Decca Records, Elektra Records, EMI Records, Epic Records, Geffen, and many more.
Exhibitions
All Access: An Insider’s View of the Rock Revolution: FATHOM Gallery, 2019 Solo Show
Punk: A Culture of Attitude: FATHOM Gallery, 2019 Group Show
Jeffrey lives and works in Los Angeles.