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| Harry Benson |
Harry Benson: 50 Years in 17 Photos
He has documented some of the most pivotal moments in history and people's rise to fame
AARP The Magazine, September 27, 2017 |
A gifted news photographer and accomplished portraitist, Harry Benson was the subject of an acclaimed 2016 documentary film, Harry Benson: Shoot First. In November, his latest book, Persons of Interest, is scheduled to be released.
- PHOTO BY: HARRY BENSON
1964: The Beatles
It was 3 a.m. after a concert in Paris. Their manager had burst in to tell them “I Want to Hold Your Hand” was No. 1 on the American charts. I had heard them talking about a pillow fight they’d had, so I suggested it. I thought it would make a good photo. John said no, it’d make them look silly. Then he slipped up behind Paul and hit him over the head with a pillow, and that started it. 
PHOTO BY: HARRY BENSON1964: The Beatles and Muhammad Ali
When we got to the Deauville Hotel in Miami Beach, I turned on the television in my room and saw Cassius Clay (later known as Muhammad Ali) yelling, gesticulating and bragging that he was going to win the world heavyweight boxing title from thechamp Sonny Liston. And I thought that would make a good picture, so I suggested to the Beatles that we go to meet Clay.
PHOTO BY: HARRY BENSON1968: Funeral of MLK Jr.
I flew to Atlanta and arrived in advance of the plane that was carrying Dr. King’s body. I had been in an area of the tarmac that was allotted for photographers, but I moved out of it for a moment and caught one frame of his widow, Coretta Scott King, and their children as they prepared to step down from the plane.
PHOTO BY: HARRY BENSON1968: Ethel Kennedy
Bobby Kennedy lay on the kitchen floor of the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. When his wife, Ethel, was brought over to him, she turned and shouted to the crowd, “Give him air.”
PHOTO BY: HARRY BENSON1968: Jackie Kennedy
The former first lady was on holiday. You could tell it was her from a mile away, even in a ski mask. Her eyes were like no others.
PHOTO BY: HARRY BENSON1972: Joe Namath
After the Super Bowl victory in 1969, Joe was arguably the most eligible bachelor in America. Overnight, he became a superstar.
PHOTO BY: HARRY BENSON1974: President Nixon
During Nixon’s poignant farewell speech to his staff, Mrs. Nixon and the family stood strong, but her eyes told the story. Reporter Helen Thomas whispered to me, “Look at this woman. She’s amazing, just amazing.”
PHOTO BY: HARRY BENSON1983: Willie Nelson
The country music legend with such an instantly discernible voice is my wife Gigi’s favorite. When I saw the red bathtub and suggested it, he affably agreed to jump into the bubble bath.
- PHOTO BY: HARRY BENSON
1984: Burt Reynolds and Clint Eastwood
The stars of the film City Heat, Reynolds and Eastwood had time to joke around in between takes. Roger Ebert called the film a “travesty” when it was released, but when I photographed the pair on the Warner Bros. set, they seemed relaxed and carefree and were having a great time. 
PHOTO BY: HARRY BENSON1985: The Reagans
When Vanity Fair asked me to photograph President and Mrs. Reagan, I knew they would give us only a short time. They stayed exactly six minutes. The magazine had been in danger of going under, but the Reagan cover sold off the stands, and the magazine was saved.
PHOTO BY: HARRY BENSON1991: Ray Charles
Captivating and personable, the music legend was pleased to have his granddaughters by his side when I photographed him. He had studied at the Georgia State School for the Deaf and Blind, and by 1947 had formed a jazz trio with a new sound — a blend of gospel, soul and blues — that catapulted him to stardom in the 1950s with “What’d I Say?” The rest is history.
PHOTO BY: HARRY BENSON1992: Clintons
Each time I go on assignment, I want to “bring back the picture.” That’s what picture editors say to you as you walk out of their office. There is usually one moment when you feel you’ve got it. Sometimes it goes along slowly, and then it happens — like with Hillary and Bill Clinton on the hammock. You know this is a moment, and it’s not going to last, so you have to move quickly.
PHOTO BY: HARRY BENSON1993: Michael Jackson
Although I had photographed Michael Jackson before, this was the first time I had visited his home, which he called the Neverland Ranch. Photographing him inside his home, in front of his very own amusement park, with his beloved animals and with the children of his employees — it really was a never-never land. I was shocked and saddened to learn of his sudden death.
PHOTO BY: HARRY BENSON1994: Donald Trump
In Atlantic City at Trump’s Taj Mahal hotel and casino, the future president pointed to a security area called the cage and mentioned something about a million dollars. I said I had never seen a million dollars in cash and it would make a good photograph. So in we went, with armed guards surrounding us.
PHOTO BY: HARRY BENSON2000: George and Laura Bush
The 43rd president; his wife, Laura; and their dog — a descendant of his mother’s famous English springer spaniel, Millie — relax at the Texas governor’s mansion in Austin, shortly before they moved to the White House. I first photographed him before the election, and when he learned I was a new U.S. citizen, he jokingly asked for my vote.
PHOTO BY: HARRY BENSON2009: Barack Obama
I got to spend a day at the White House on assignment early in Obama’s first term. I would like to have told him that I marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., but I didn’t get the chance. It will have to wait for another time.
PHOTO BY: HARRY BENSON2014: The Queen
I was taken to the room where Queen Elizabeth reads her daily “red box” of government papers. What could I possibly have in common with the queen? One thing: our love of dogs. So we chatted about our various dogs. As I was packing up to leave, she brought her five Welsh corgis down to meet me!
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