PETER GRANT & RICHARD COLE – LED ZEPPELIN MANAGEMENT

ORIGINAL VINTAGE KATE SIMON PRESS PHOTOGRAPH – 1970s

A superb and highly atmospheric original vintage black-and-white press photograph, bearing the photographer's original credit stamp verso for acclaimed rock photographer Kate Simon, and catalogued here as depicting Peter Grant and Richard Cole, the celebrated management figures associated with Led Zeppelin.

This is far removed from a conventional posed publicity portrait. It is a wonderfully candid bar or club photograph capturing the larger-than-life atmosphere surrounding the management of one of the biggest rock bands of the 1970s.

Peter Grant is shown shirtless, wearing checked trousers and a substantial chain and pendant, raising a stemmed glass. Richard Cole is seated immediately behind, making a conspicuous double-handed gesture towards the camera.

The setting is packed with period detail, including bottles lined along the bar, tables laid with glasses, checked tablecloths, a period television and a large partially obscured poster or sign at left prominently bearing the word ‘Ace!’

The Led Zeppelin Connection

Peter Grant was manager of Led Zeppelin from the group's formation in 1968 until its dissolution in 1980. Grant became renowned for his unusually hands-on approach to management, negotiating highly advantageous arrangements and protecting the band's financial and artistic interests. 

Richard Cole was Led Zeppelin's tour manager. Following the dissolution of the Yardbirds, Peter Grant and Richard Cole became manager and tour manager respectively of Led Zeppelin. 

Together they represented two of the most important figures behind the extraordinary touring and commercial operation surrounding Led Zeppelin.

Photographer: Kate Simon

The reverse carries an excellent contemporary photographer's ink stamp:

Pic; Kate Simon
25 Finborough Road, S.W.10.

Kate Simon moved to London in 1972 and established a career as a music photographer. Importantly in relation to this photograph, Kate Simon is specifically documented as having photographed Led Zeppelin during the early part of the photographer's career. 

Kate Simon's subjects went on to include many of the defining musicians and cultural figures of the period, and photographs by Kate Simon are held in major institutional collections including the Museum of Modern Art and Smithsonian Institution's National Portrait Gallery. 

Kate Simon's own photographic archive also specifically mentions “Led Zeppelin rehearsing” among the photographer's celebrated music images. 

The “Please Credit” instruction, London address and telephone number make the verso particularly interesting as part of the photograph's original working press/editorial presentation.

Dating

The photograph itself is undated, and is therefore conservatively offered as 1970s.

There is interesting supporting evidence for a possible circa 1975 attribution: other Kate Simon Led Zeppelin photographs have appeared on the collector market catalogued as London, 1975. This does not establish that the present photograph was taken at the same time, so 1975 is suggested only as a possible working date rather than a firm attribution. 

The “Ace!” Background

A particularly intriguing feature is the partly obscured black poster or sign visible behind the subjects, prominently carrying the word:

“Ace!”

The British group Ace, featuring Paul Carrack, released the debut single How Long during this period, and original 1974 advertising for Ace and How Long is documented. 

However, the poster visible here has not been positively identified as an advertisement for the band Ace, and no such attribution is being claimed. The exact venue and occasion also remain unidentified.

The actual photographic image measures approximately: 16 × 24 cm (6¼ × 9½ inches), plus the original surrounding white margins.

A good, substantial format for a vintage press photograph.

The reverse is largely clean and retains the important Kate Simon photographer's credit stamp, including the London address, telephone number and “Please Credit” instruction.

Please study all photographs carefully as these form an important part of the condition description.

Summary

A particularly evocative piece of 1970s British rock photography, combining:

• Peter Grant and Richard Cole
• Strong Led Zeppelin management association
• Kate Simon photographer's stamp verso
• Original vintage press/editorial format
• Large 16 × 24 cm photographic image
• Excellent candid bar/club composition
• Superb period music-industry atmosphere
• Unresolved “Ace!” background detail offering scope for further research

An excellent photograph for a serious Led Zeppelin, 1970s rock, music photography or vintage press photograph collection.

Condition as photos. Guaranteed Original. All items can be returned for a full refund if found to be not as described.

Peter Grant (Apr 1935 – Nov 1995) was an English music manager, best known as the manager of Led Zeppelin from their creation in 1968 to their breakup in 1980. With his intimidating size and weight, confrontational manner, knowledge and experience, Grant was able to procure strong and unprecedented deals for Led Zeppelin, and is widely credited with improving pay and conditions for all musicians in dealings with concert promoters. Grant has been described as "one of the shrewdest and most ruthless managers in rock history".

Richard Cole (Jan 1946 – Dec 2021) was an English music manager, who was involved in the rock music business from the mid-1960s to 2003. He is most known for having been the tour manager of English rock band Led Zeppelin from 1968 to 1980.

Catherine Simon (b Jun 1953) is an American portrait photographer and writer. She is known for her photographs of influential musicians, artists, and writers, including The Clash, Patti Smith, Madonna, Andy Warhol, and William S. Burroughs. One of her photographs of Bob Marley was used on the front cover of his 1978 album, Kaya, and another of the Clash was used for the front cover of their debut album.

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