Thom Lukas

​At the age of 12, Thom Lukas in New York, developed an enduring love for music that would lead him on a remarkable journey. His curiosity to be in the midst of the music scene drove him to sneak into live shows, often finding himself backstage. In October 1964, he pulled off a daring feat by infiltrating the Ed Sullivan Show Studio to witness The Rolling Stones’ debut appearance on the iconic program.

Thom’s affection for rock music continued to grow, and at the age of fifteen in 1968, he purchased a second-hand 35mm camera. The first time Thom pointed his camera at a musical artist marked a historic moment in rock history.Recalling that moment, Thom explains:

–  “On March 8, 1968, Bill Graham opened up the Fillmore East just a few blocks south of my high school, and I went there that night to photograph Janis Joplin, who was then with Big Brother and the Holding Company. I was ecstatic when I developed my photos and witnessed the magic I could create with a camera. I was officially hooked, and a few weeks later, I began capturing bands such as The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, and The Who.”

Upon completing his college education, Thom returned to his true passion. In the mid-1970s, he wielded his camera to immortalize artists like the Sex Pistols, Elvis Costello, REM, The Police, and many other musical icons.