Today is Jenny Lens’ birthday and in tribute to Jenny and her incredible Punk Rock photography career, we dedicate this post to a great photographer and friend.

We asked Jenny to write some words for Buzz Foto and she has given us this wonderful photograph to use. That is Jenny and Dee Dee Ramone of The Ramones! Talk about iconic photos. See you at MOMA Jenny!

Jenny Lens Punk Archive, jennylens.com, on my 58th birthday thoughts, punk past and present . . .

I discovered Patti Smith when “Horses” was released towards the end of 1975. I saw her the following January and I was entranced. I saw the Ramones on August 11, 1976, at the Roxy (where Patti played). I came early and sat at Dee Dee’s feet. A photographer with wild curly hair kept sticking his flash camera in the Ramones’ faces. It was my first sighting of Richard Creamer. I brought my camera the next night and shot Dee Dee, the man with the most perfect cheekbones. I’ve been reading some “critics” and “reviewer” who ridicule me for becoming a photographer because I fell in love with Dee Dee’s cheekbones.

Now tell me, isn’t art history full of artists who find their perfect muse, who influence their art? So what’s so funny about that? And isn’t rock all about “sex and drugs and rock ‘n’ roll”? The art world is even more cruel than the punk rock world, but between the two, it’s rough out there. But now, as back then, I don’t let anyone stop me or “rain on my parade”! [that’s Barbra Streisand’s line from “Funny Girl.” Brad shot Barbra and I backstage at Blue Oyster Cult at the Inglewood Forum, November, 1976. He then sent the film to Germany. We’ve never seen it since. She is my all-time fave! I was crying and she was comforting me. If anyone has ever seen those shots, let Brad and I know!!]

I met the Ramones the night I shot them! I followed the Ramones around, from Hollywood to San Francisco, back to Hollywood and down to LA’s South Bay and Orange County beach cities. Somewhere along the line I ran across another a younger but very experienced photographer, also with curly hair, Brad Elterman. I too have dark naturally curly hair, so I notice things like that.

I had no idea these two men, Brad and Richard, would befriend me so many times in the next few years. Word on the street was if Brad or Richard photographed a rock group or event, there was money in it. They both understood the business, were organized and disciplined, unlike most punk or rock photographers. They tried to share business tips, but I was too wild and having too much fun. I was published more than any other LA punk photographer, but never made money nor made a name for myself like they were doing. They shot a wider range of entertainers and didn’t turn down corporate requests, like I did.

We all shared a life-long love-affair with taking photos, rock and entertainment. We understood that art is not competitive, that there was room for all of us to succeed. They saw something in me that I didn’t want to see. I could make a career out of this, but I only wanted to document punk when it was new and raw, and would and did get out as the business end took away early punk’s wild freedom.

Too many photographers today shoot for the fame and fortune, and often are heartless and ruthless. But we three all shot because we loved the magic that happens when taking photos, documenting history to share with others, and seeing great entertainment, whether on the street, backstage or onstage.

We were very saddened when Richard passed away. Brad helped organize a wake. Richard would have run around the room, taking photos and saying “It’s all happening” as he did so. We all felt his spirit. Our bodies might pass from this time and place, but some spirits live on.

I am so very pleased Brad’s “Buzz Foto” is taking off and his early photos are being recognized as valid art. Many might not realize Brad is a pioneer in entertainment photography and especially transmitting and printing images digitally. Brad is a visionary who realized the power and potential of online distribution way back in the earliest days of personal computers.

Well, Brad told me to write about me. But I just read a really nasty review about my book. There is a lot of back-stabbing, nasty LA punk photographers and art/music/book reviewers. Then I read Brad’s email asking for a photo of the Ramones or Iggy with me and some words.

We need friendships more than fame or money.

I always choose this shot of Dee Dee Ramone and I, taken February 20, 1977. The Ramones triumphantly returned to LA, this time at the Whisky, sharing the bill with Blondie, who were making their west coast debut. I was backstage and handed my camera to someone as Dee Dee and I both spontaneously put our fists out, and the most perfect shot was taken. I was shy, always wore the same black dress and wore a fabric gardenia decades before Carrie on “Sex and the City.”

Dee Dee and I connected that previous summer. I loved asking him about the meaning behind his lyrics, shooting him, and endlessly telling him the Ramones were going to be as important as the Beatles (whom I saw at the Hollywood Bowl, summer 1964). Dee Dee always told me I was crazy re the Ramones’ potential fame and influence.

My first solo book, “Punk Pioneers” was released on Earth Day, April 22, 2008. My photos are in tons of MAJOR books, DVDs, CDs, docs, etc and many more this year. I am constantly astounded I am the most published LA punk photographer from 1976-980!! I sell to individual collectors at very reasonable prices. Galleries want me to double my prices, but I won’t yet. I rather sell online, although major galleries are approaching me.

Lastly, because the punk and art worlds can be nasty and cruel, I’m more involved in passions that pre-date punk. I’m into raw foods, yoga, alchemy yoga®, metaphysics, meditation and am returning to my art roots, plus teaching about all this, something I have a natural talent, education and decades of experience. I earned several art college degrees, although I never studied photography. I’m incorporating and integrating all that in new businesses.

I’m far more into healing myself so I have the energy and stamina to continue my work and art endeavors. I want to help heal others and the planet, plus create unique works of art rather than focus 100% on my punk photos. Many want me to write about my experiences, not just share my photos. I have a lot of options, which helps me deal with the small, petty minds out there. We must never ever give in to those who sling arrows in our backs!

Today is my 58th birthday and everyone thinks I’m 10-15 years younger. But I know time really does slip by quickly. To quote someone else I photographed and knew (I have letters from her), Anais Nin:

No Walls
No Fears
Nothing holds me back from Adventure.
I feel
Mobil,
Fluid.

Happy birthday to me, and you, and to our futures!
Namaste,
Jenny Lens, July 20, 2008, Santa Monica, CA.
Jenny Lens Punk Archives