Art of Rock with Kosh & Friends 12: Jim Shea

It has been a while folks...but Kosh is back!

Jim Shea's advertising work in NYC led him to Los Angeles where he began photographing celebrities for the entertainment industry. His images soon began to appear on album covers, movie posters and in publications such as Rolling Stone and Interview Magazine.

Rod Stewart, Aerosmith, Bonnie Raitt, Fleetwood Mac, Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, Elton John and the Eagles are among the iconic recording artists he has photographed.

Photography has not remained Jim’s sole passion, however. and many will recognize him foremost for his directorial abilities. The evolution into directing came when record labels began recruiting Shea to shoot and direct music videos based on his inventiveness and extensive experience as a photographer with prominent musicians.

Whether on a Hollywood set directing Barbra Streisand or shooting Jimmy Buffett on a South Seas island, Jim is most at home when he is creating images, regardless of the setting.

As a director he joined forces with many of the artists with whom he had developed relationships through his photographic work, including Aretha Franklin, Joni Mitchell, James Taylor and Glenn Frey. His unique approach to video established him as a creative pioneer in the field.

Have a listen as Kosh sits down with Jim and tells the stories of many of the fabled artist adventures he has had.

This show is part of Pantheon Podcasts.