1973 Robert Plant Masterpiece Original Signed Neal Preston Print - "Preston's Best Photo" as the Rock God Catches a Dove in One Hand While Clutching a Beer and Cigarette in the Other.
Signed by Neal Preston in a black felt tip pen. Numbered 73/125.
It was The Guardian that dubbed this "Preston's Best Photo," and there's no denying it. You've got the picture-perfect foreground focus with background blur. You've got the split-second transience of a dove literally landing in Plant's hand (!) while he flashes a transcendent smile. You've got the blond curly locks, the mystic's garb and jewelry, the clutched vices of choice. But only Neal Preston himself can do justice to the scene in his own words:
"As far as I know, I'm the only person ever to be Led Zeppelin's tour photographer. I was just 22 and knew a plum job when it landed on my lap...This was taken during a gig at Kezar Stadium in San Francisco. There were two cages behind the amps on stage, each containing six white doves...Robert Plant's a real hippy at heart, so the idea was that at the end of Stairway to Heaven, we'd release the doves and they'd fly off into the air as a homage to peace and love. But when the cages opened, the birds flew out and one did a low pass over the audience, then...turned back to the stage and Robert stuck out his hand. The dove landed on it, purely by chance--this was not a trained bird. It was there for about five seconds...This was a case of being in the right place at the right time with the right lens...With the dove and the Newcastle Brown Ale he's drinking, it's so British and so Robert...Nobody else could have pulled that off without looking pretentious. Robert was a country boy. He grew up around animals and has the look of someone who understands nature...It's a look of calm, understanding and respect."
Measures 24 x 20 in.
Good condition.
Authentication: Gotta Have Rock and Roll Certificate of Authenticity.
