Sound Sights Publishing of Providence announces the limited-edition release of Richard’s Rock & Roll Alphabet.
The 70-page book features an A-to-Z of artists and bands from Richard McCaffrey’s collection, as well as pictures and descriptions of the venues where the photographs were taken. Each of the 199 books in this initial limited run is numbered and signed by Richard and the book's developer and designer Robert Blunt.
LINDA RONDSTADT BRUCE SPRINSTEEN WILLIE NELSON
A native of Providence, Rhode Island, Richard McCaffrey moved to the San Francisco Bay area in 1973, after serving as an Army photographer. Prior to that, he founded a design and photography studio with Raye Santos called “Two Dimensions”. In 1971 Richard, Raye, and Lou Papineau founded an early alternative newspaper called “The Point” which covered the local and national counterculture issues of the time. A significant part of the paper was devoted to music, which was when he started his career as a photographer in the music industry.
Living in the Bay Area during the 1970s & 80’s he freelanced for magazines featuring music such as Rolling Stone, Billboard, and Creem Magazine. He was Chief Photographer for “BAM, The California Music Magazine” from 1976 - 1986 and also worked with Bill Graham Presents, bands and record companies. In 1979 he co-founded “Eye Gallery” a non-profit photo gallery, Community lab and studio in the Mission District of San Francisco.
Richard is represented by Getty Images and his photographs appear in numerous national and international publications, books, television and film documentaries such as Ken Burns “Country Music” on PBS, “Laurel Canyon” on EPIX, and “Belushi” on Showtime.
DOLLY PARTON ROBERT PLANT, JIMMY PAGE STEVIE NICKS
Robert Blunt has worked in the communications departments for various non-profit organizations, labor unions, and political campaigns across the country – including as a researcher for Al Gore’s 2000 presidential campaign and deputy research director for Howard Dean’s 2004 presidential campaign. Over the course of his career, Robert’s responsibilities resulted in him quickly acquiring various skills, learning to use a variety of online and software tools, and reporting directly to myriad audiences on his findings.
Also from Rhode Island, Robert and Richard bonded over similar interests in music. One evening at Patrick’s Pub (Providence, RI) Robert told Richard about his new niece, Isabelle, and asked if Richard had photos of bands and artists that covered the whole alphabet, with the hope of creating a way for her to learn the alphabet and associate letters with amazing artists and bands.
After many months of conversations between the two over which artists to include and which images best captured their gravitas, Robert designed and wrote this limited-edition book.
The books are available for purchase at POP Emporium of Popular Culture (219 W Park Street, Providence, RI 02908), Round Again Records (278 Wickenden Street, Providence, RI 02903), Patrick’s Pub (381 Smith Street, Providence, RI 02908), and on Richard’s website: richardmccaffrey.net.
In celebration of the book’s release Richard and Robert will host the following book signing events:
· July 8, 2021 -- 7:00pm – 9:00pm @ Muldowney’s Pub (121 Empire Street, Providence, RI 02903)
· July 9, 2021 -- 7:00pm – 9:00pm @ Patrick’s Pub (381 Smith Street, Providence, RI 02908)
· July 10, 2021- 2:00pm – 4:00pm @ Round Again Records (278 Wickenden Street, Providence, RI 02903)
· July 10, 2021- 5:00pm – 7:00pm @ POP Emporium of Popular Culture (219 W Park Street, Providence, RI 02908)