An all-access pass to some of the most memorable performances of Rock, Blues and Soul ever captured on film.

The reviews are in! Front Row Center: Icons of Rock, Blues and Soul, on view now through June 19, is garnering rave reviews. The iconic photographs of Larry Hulst capture the freewheeling energy of live music and the enduring visual spectacle of rock’s greatest performers. The exhibition features 70 images of legendary musicians and singers across three genres and generations, charting Hulst’s extraordinary path through the pulsing heart of the most exciting live music of the last century. These images, which have been featured on album art and Rolling Stone spreads, convey Hulst’s lifelong passion for the magnetism, immediacy, and unpredictability of live music. These photos document the unforgettable voices of rock, funk, punk, and beyond, providing you with an all-access pass to some of the most memorable performances in popular music history.

About Larry Hulst 

Born in 1946 in San Diego, Larry Hulst is a longtime participant and chronicler of the concert scene. His collection of nearly three thousand black-and-white negatives has helped immortalize the live acts of influential musicians over five momentous decades of rock history. His photography career began in 1969, when the former Navy corpsman returned home to Sacramento after a tour of duty in Vietnam. Citing Jim Marshall, Ansel Adams, and Lynn Goldsmith among his influences, 

Hulst is fueled both by his respect for his musical heroes and by his dedication to perfecting his photographic eye. The hallmark of Hulst’s work is his authentic ability to evoke the raw energy and emotion of the concert experience. The only prop he has ever needed was the stage. “I never wanted to go backstage,” Hulst states. “I want to be where the action is. After all, the ‘show’ is projected out onto the audience. I want to be in the audience.”

Last Call for Photo Submissions: Be Part of our Exhibition

Inspired by Larry Hulst's belief that everyone should have the opportunity to be showcased, we’re hoping to see some of your concert photography. No matter what your skill level, whether you used a top of the line Leica or the latest iPhone, why not share a moment that moved you?  While there is an undeniable art to the technique of photographing a live performance, sometimes being in the right place at the right time is just the right amount of magic to capture and preserve the moment.   

Over the past few weeks, we've been collecting images from around the country. Tomorrow is the final day to submit up to three of your favorite photographs that capture your concert experience, which can include anything from performers to crowds, and venues.  

In honor of the museum's 30th Anniversary, Larry Hulst himself will select his 30 favorites which will be exhibited digitally on rotation within the exhibition from April 22 through June 19. There’s still time to show us what you've got and impress Larry. 

Front Row Center: Icons of Rock, Blues and Soul is on view at the Biggs Museum through June 19. 

Submit Your Photos HERE

Did you know, Front Row Center: Icons of Rock, Blues and Soul is the first fully bilingual exhibition at the Biggs?

Front Row Center In The News

Biggs Curator Laura Fravel and Photographer Larry Hulst spoke with The Green’s Kyle McKinnon, about what makes the exhibition “Front Row Center: Icons of Rock, Blues and Soul” so unique, and the stories behind the images.

“We decided to start with that moment where Larry comes back from Vietnam and just discovers this music scene in San Francisco," Fravel says. "And then it kind of winds through there to a room on the Blues, to a lot of British performers who were touring in the U.S. and then ends up with classic rock basically, everything you’d hear on a classic rock station, Zeppelin, ACDC, Metallica, in all their glory.”

Listen here or on Apple Podcasts.

His work has graced the pages of Guitar Player, Rolling Stone and Time magazines, several biographies and numerous other books. His photos have been album art for greats such as Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton and Bruce Springsteen and an image of Mr. Hendrix has adorned the terminal walls of Los Angeles International Airport.

For 27 years, he worked as a United States government photographer at air bases. His lens caught military activities by day, and rock stars by night.

Read more about Larry Hulst – in this article written by Craig Horleman for the Delaware State News.

Want to learn more? Join a guided exhibition tour on Fridays through April at 11:30 AM. This tour is a offered as a complimentary add on to your paid admission. Keep your eyes on your email for a special announcement about an opportunity to meet Larry Hulst in person.