Farewell Jim Marshall, 1936-2010: Legendary photographer and a true car guy

Jim Marshall--friend, rock photography legend and occasional AutoWeek contributor--died on March 24 in his sleep at the W Hotel in Manhattan. Marshall, 74, was scheduled to speak that night at the John Varvatos store in SoHo in New York, and work from his new book, Match Prints, was to be shown beginning on March 26 at Staley-Wise Gallery, also in SoHo.

Marshall began his career in 1960, a time he used to say was "the beginning of something special." Boy, was he right. He captured the likes of the Beatles, Muddy Waters, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Otis Redding and Johnny Cash at the top of their careers. Today his work is collected globally.

Marshall also was one of us. As a 16-year-old, he shot drag racers such as Don Garlits at Half Moon Bay. He worked in the same car dealership as AW publisher emeritus Leon Mandel, British Motors of Burlingame, sweeping the floors--just to be close to cars. He drove a Mercedes 36 like a teenager on his way to his first date.

We loved Marshall--and his work--enough that we sent him to photograph the 2005 Indianapolis 500. He was funny, infuriating, charming and crotchety, and we will miss him and his ever-present Leica.

We encourage you to go to www.msfriends.org to make a donation in Marshall's name. As a tribute to him, we present some of our favorite Marshall shots.

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