ADVERTISEMENT

Brad Elterman is a professional photographer from California, who started his incredible career at the age of 16 when his first image was published. It was a photo of Bob Dylan in concert in 1974 and it was his ticket to the backstage of the rock 'n' roll world.

The artist focused on candid moments of celebrities. "I wasn't a traditional rock 'n' roll photographer because I didn't give a shit about taking a photograph of someone holding a guitar," he told vice. That's what all the other photographers at the time were doing, and I wasn't interested in those generic concert pictures. I photographed backstage—those were the really exciting pictures that told a story; those were the images that the magazines were craving."

Now, 40 years later, Brad Elterman is still an incredibly popular photographer whose style has not changed much. "It hasn't changed at all. Most of the editors today tell me not to change anything and shoot it just like I was back there in 1977 with Joan Jett."

More info: Instagram (h/t)

#1

David Bowie, 1975

David Bowie, 1975

Brad Elterman Report

Chicago Kitty
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The guy in the background looks like Peter Brady = )

View more comments
RELATED:
    #3

    Chuck Berry And Michael Jackson, 1979

    Chuck Berry And Michael Jackson, 1979

    Brad Elterman Report

    robbie2499
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Look how handsome MJ was! He's a great example of one "not comfortable in their own skin". Tragic.

    View more comments
    #4

    Olivia Newton John And John Travolta, 1978

    Olivia Newton John And John Travolta, 1978

    Brad Elterman Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #5

    Alice Cooper & Vincent Price, 1978

    Alice Cooper & Vincent Price, 1978

    Brad Elterman Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #6

    Joan Jett, 1977

    Joan Jett, 1977

    Brad Elterman Report

    Sabal Minor
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Get those nasty shoes off the sheets! Joan Jett was such the rocker! So put another dime in the jukebox, baby!

    View more comments
    #7

    Michael And Liza, 1980

    Michael And Liza, 1980

    Brad Elterman Report

    #8

    John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John, 1978

    John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John, 1978

    Brad Elterman Report

    Heather Johnson
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh god at first i read it like her name was "Olivia Grease Party" haha

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #9

    The Ramones, 1978

    The Ramones, 1978

    Brad Elterman Report

    Emmer
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Lol. i see people dressing the same way nowadays

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #10

    Joan Jett And Jackie Fox, 1977

    Joan Jett And Jackie Fox, 1977

    Brad Elterman Report

    #11

    Gene Simmons And Brooke Shields, 1978

    Gene Simmons And Brooke Shields, 1978

    Brad Elterman Report

    #12

    Joan Jett, 1977

    Joan Jett, 1977

    Brad Elterman Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #13

    Madonna, 1982

    Madonna, 1982

    Brad Elterman Report

    Apollo
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A much more interesting shot than what the guys in front of her get.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #14

    Michael Jackson, 1978

    Michael Jackson, 1978

    Brad Elterman Report

    #16

    Sid Vicious, 1978

    Sid Vicious, 1978

    Brad Elterman Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #17

    Duran, 1982

    Duran, 1982

    Brad Elterman Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #18

    John Travolta, 1978

    John Travolta, 1978

    Brad Elterman Report

    Patti
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So sad he is a Scientologist. They are so brainwashed. It's a horrible cult

    View more comments
    #19

    Muhammad Ali

    Muhammad Ali

    Brad Elterman Report

    Black Dahlia
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Floats like a butterfly, shakes like your mum's vibrator.

    View more comments
    #20

    Ringo, John Lennon And Yoko, 1976

    Ringo, John Lennon And Yoko, 1976

    Brad Elterman Report

    Missy Finley
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Cannot stand Yoko, and I'm sorry but John Lennon was a pretentious prick. Sorry, but it's the truth.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #21

    Frank Sinatra, 1980

    Frank Sinatra, 1980

    Brad Elterman Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #22

    Iggy "No Photos" Pop, 1980

    Iggy "No Photos" Pop, 1980

    Brad Elterman Report

    #23

    Abba

    Abba

    Brad Elterman Report

    Desi Platias
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    there was something in the air that night!

    View more comments
    #24

    Joan Jett, 1977

    Joan Jett, 1977

    Brad Elterman Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #25

    Joan Jett, 1977

    Joan Jett, 1977

    Brad Elterman Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #26

    Robert Plant, 1978

    Robert Plant, 1978

    Brad Elterman Report

    Patti
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I know he has a whole lotta love, but oh my

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #29

    Peter Frampton, 1978

    Peter Frampton, 1978

    Brad Elterman Report

    Desi Platias
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    used to be in love with him when I was a teenager

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #31

    Debbie Harry

    Debbie Harry

    Brad Elterman Report

    Sabal Minor
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I love my Deborah Harry! Gorgeous, fun, and can sing like a m**o! Small tidbit fact: she popularized rap music on her mid 80s album with Blondie. I hated it then and I hate (rap

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #33

    Adam Ant, 1978

    Adam Ant, 1978

    Brad Elterman Report

    Cherie O
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What a total cutie. Had a crush on him along with Duran Duran...

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #34

    Tom, Todd & Bebe, 1978

    Tom, Todd & Bebe, 1978

    Brad Elterman Report

    #35

    The Ramones, 1978

    The Ramones, 1978

    Brad Elterman Report

    Robyn Denton
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Grunge and midriff tops are a weird combination

    View more comments
    #36

    Michael With Tatum, 1982

    Michael With Tatum, 1982

    Brad Elterman Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #37

    Paul Stanley From Kiss, 1978

    Paul Stanley From Kiss, 1978

    Brad Elterman Report

    Desi Platias
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    he had a super hairy ......everything!!!!!!!

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #38

    John Taylor, 1981

    John Taylor, 1981

    Brad Elterman Report

    Cherie O
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Major crush on him when I was in middle school

    View more comments
    #40

    Cherie Currie And Secret Twin Sister, 1978

    Cherie Currie And Secret Twin Sister, 1978

    Brad Elterman Report

    Mimis Nachbarin
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Her twin sister Marie Curry. No secret at all.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #41

    Leif Garrett, 1980

    Leif Garrett, 1980

    Brad Elterman Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #42

    Bob Dylan, 1976

    Bob Dylan, 1976

    Brad Elterman Report

    #43

    Cherie Currie Of The Runaways, 1977

    Cherie Currie Of The Runaways, 1977

    Brad Elterman Report

    Giorgio Prodoti
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    just listening to Bowie while looking at the pics

    View more comments
    #44

    Christiane F. 1978

    Christiane F. 1978

    Brad Elterman Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #45

    Carly Simon And Husband James Taylor

    Carly Simon And Husband James Taylor

    Brad Elterman Report

    Sabal Minor
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Never realized she was from the wealthy publishing company of Simon & Shutter fame until just a few years ago! She is and was a diva probably way too sophisticated for ol' James. He was cool but his music was so mellow it put me to sleep! Still admire the f**k out of them! Cheers!

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #46

    David Byrne Of The Talking Heads Ucla, 1976

    David Byrne Of The Talking Heads Ucla, 1976

    Brad Elterman Report

    #47

    Runaways, 1978

    Runaways, 1978

    Brad Elterman Report

    Jim Porter
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's Lita Ford ("Kiss Me Deadly") on the far right TJ

    View more comments
    #48

    Michael Jackson

    Michael Jackson

    Brad Elterman Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #50

    Steve Jones, 1978

    Steve Jones, 1978

    Brad Elterman Report

    Janina Prado
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    interesting to see him without all his punk clothes.

    View more comments
    #51

    Anna Nicole Smith

    Anna Nicole Smith

    Brad Elterman Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #53

    Debbie Harry, 1978

    Debbie Harry, 1978

    Brad Elterman Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #54

    Ryan & Farrah, 1980

    Ryan & Farrah, 1980

    Brad Elterman Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #55

    Joan Jett, 1977

    Joan Jett, 1977

    Brad Elterman Report

    #56

    The Runaways, 1979

    The Runaways, 1979

    Brad Elterman Report

    #57

    Joey Ramone, 1979

    Joey Ramone, 1979

    Brad Elterman Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #58

    Valley Chicks, 1977

    Valley Chicks, 1977

    Brad Elterman Report

    Agnes Jekyll
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Those are the Runaways, with Cherie's twin sister

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #59

    Bob Dylan, 1974

    Bob Dylan, 1974

    Brad Elterman Report

    Seraina Caflisch
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    as much as I like and respect the songs he wrote, I cannot stand his voice and wish he would have let someone else sing his tunes

    View more comments
    #60

    Cherrie Currie, 1977

    Cherrie Currie, 1977

    Brad Elterman Report

    Fire Bird
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She has a Bowie belt buckle and Joan has a Bowie T-shirt in a pic before this one.

    View more comments
    #61

    Mark Mothersbaugh, 1980

    Mark Mothersbaugh, 1980

    Brad Elterman Report

    Rebekah
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What... what is happening here? Keep your quilted, shiny pants on, goldnipplelady.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #62

    Rod Stewart, 1976

    Rod Stewart, 1976

    Brad Elterman Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #63

    Cherie Currie, 1977

    Cherie Currie, 1977

    Brad Elterman Report

    Tui Babbington
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Love the Marie Currie tagged on the bottom of the poster (was she the secret twin by this time???)...

    View more comments
    #65

    Nina Hagen

    Nina Hagen

    Brad Elterman Report

    Kjorn
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    where's Copen... because... Copen... Hagen... got it?... (blush in shame)

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #66

    Cherie And Her Twin, 1977

    Cherie And Her Twin, 1977

    Brad Elterman Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #67

    Mark Mothersbaugh, 1980

    Mark Mothersbaugh, 1980

    Brad Elterman Report

    #68

    Runaways, 1976

    Runaways, 1976

    Brad Elterman Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #70

    Kim Fowley

    Kim Fowley

    Brad Elterman Report

    Tui Babbington
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They would and could still kick Spice Girl a**e!!...

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #71

    Steve Jones From Sex Pistols

    Steve Jones From Sex Pistols

    Brad Elterman Report

    Amina Hays
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Is it just me, or are his nipples really far apart?

    View more comments
    #72

    Cherie Currie Of The Runaways, 1977

    Cherie Currie Of The Runaways, 1977

    Brad Elterman Report

    #73

    Norman Vane, 1980

    Norman Vane, 1980

    Brad Elterman Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #74

    The Industrialists, 1977

    The Industrialists, 1977

    Brad Elterman Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #75

    Christiane F., 1978

    Christiane F., 1978

    Brad Elterman Report

    #76

    Steve Jones, 1980

    Steve Jones, 1980

    Brad Elterman Report

    #77

    Leif Garrett

    Leif Garrett

    Brad Elterman Report

    TC
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Tears on my pillow... "

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #78

    Bob Dylan 1976

    Bob Dylan 1976

    Brad Elterman Report

    Heather Johnson
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I swear he looks exactly the same in every one of these pictures. Same facial expression.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #79

    The Playboy Mansion

    The Playboy Mansion

    Brad Elterman Report

    TJ
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Amazing man - a HIGH SCHOOL NERD that loved taking pictures of girls... turned his hobby into a revolutionary Billion dollar enterprise.

    View more comments
    #80

    Burt, 1977

    Burt, 1977

    Brad Elterman Report

    Rebekah
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I really want some context here. Look at all those lookers!

    View more comments
    #81

    Kim Fowley, 1977

    Kim Fowley, 1977

    Brad Elterman Report

    Agnes Jekyll
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    he treated the Runaways terribly. A real creep.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #82

    Bob Dylan, 1976

    Bob Dylan, 1976

    Brad Elterman Report

    TJ
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    this hook-nose can hardly walk and talk, I wouldn't let him drive my little red wagon.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #83

    Ian Hunter, 1977

    Ian Hunter, 1977

    Brad Elterman Report

    TJ
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Robert Plant's "look" w/ none of the talent.

    #84

    Kim Fowley, 1977

    Kim Fowley, 1977

    Brad Elterman Report

    #85

    Cherie Currie Of The Runaways, 1977

    Cherie Currie Of The Runaways, 1977

    Brad Elterman Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #86

    Christiane F. 1978

    Christiane F. 1978

    Brad Elterman Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #87

    Ron Gallela, 1976

    Ron Gallela, 1976

    Brad Elterman Report

    Jane Alexander
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Looks like a really really bad picture of Jackie Kennedy.

    View more comments
    #88

    Dog Den, 1977

    Dog Den, 1977

    Brad Elterman Report

    Robyn Denton
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The head says "I'm so cool", but the rest says "I'm confused".

    View more comments
    #89

    Bebe Buell And Stiv Bators, 1978

    Bebe Buell And Stiv Bators, 1978

    Brad Elterman Report

    Robert Maybeth
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Liv Tyler's mom (with Steven Tyler). Clearly we know where Liv got her good looks. Lucky for her.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #90

    The Farmers Market, 1975

    The Farmers Market, 1975

    Brad Elterman Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #91

    Rodney And Backstage Pass, 1977

    Rodney And Backstage Pass, 1977

    Brad Elterman Report

    #92

    Jerry Schneider, 1980

    Jerry Schneider, 1980

    Brad Elterman Report

    TJ
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    LEMME GUESS...A rich jew businessman?

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #94

    Phil Spector, 1976

    Phil Spector, 1976

    Brad Elterman Report

    ADVERTISEMENT