Vision On announces a new book: SINATRA, photographs by BOB WILLOUGHBY

From his first number one hit in 1940 to his last multi platinum LP in 1994, only Elvis and The Beatles rival Frank Sinatra as the most important figures in 20th century popular culture. To commemorate the man, movie star and myth, Vision On Publishing introduces a smooth collection of photographs by renowned movie photographer Bob Willoughby, Americas most celebrated entertainment photographer". (Hello Magazine)

'Frank Sinatra was the twentieth century. He was modern, he was complex, he had swing and attitude. He was the big bang of pop ... the man invented pop music. Bono, U2

Legendary Hollywood snapper Bob Willoughby was one of the few to capture not only Sinatras charm, charisma and dangerous cool, but also the tenderness and fragility of the father, friend and human being. Some of Willoughbys most famous images of 'Old Blue Eyes turning on the magic on-stage are accompanied by revealing, previously unseen shots of Frank in private conversation, in negotiations, hanging with fellow rats, and at home with his family.

It was during the filming of The Man with the Golden Arm in 1955 that their relationship really developed. 'I was setting up my shot, comments Willoughby, 'and Director Otto Preminger walked up behind me, and started to direct MY scene. Without thinking I told Otto to let me direct my scenes and you direct yours! From that point on Frank somehow took me under his wing.

'He was always busy, so his time was precious, and anything he gave to me, I felt was a gift. Sometimes I had to hound him for several days to get the images that I wanted to get, says Willoughby. 'The shot of the four in front of the Sands hotel sign is an example of this, and I pestered him into it. He said to me, Bobby, if nothing else you are persistent!" And so I was, and that shot has been a winner ever since.

'By the time we worked on Oceans 11 he knew me well enough to trust me, comments Willoughby, 'I think that you can say he indulged me, and helped me when he was in the mood. One just had to pick the right time to ask ... and that wasnt easy.

Put together, this collection of photographs represent one of the most illuminating insights ever printed, a must-have book for all Sinatra fans this Christmas.

For images and book requests, please contact Sarah Marusek
at SMPR - E.
sarahmarusek@smpublicrelations.com - T. 718 789 1955

Editors Notes:

Bob Willoughby
Bob Willoughby is one of the supreme American iconographers. The Los Angeles photographer began documenting Hollywood feature films at the start of the 50s and over the following decades, created many of the classic images of the great movie stars. Willoughby was on set through several eras of exalted actors and seminal movies. He worked on 120 plus feature films, including 'A Star Is Born', 'From Here To Eternity', 'My Fair Lady', 'The Graduate', 'The Lion In Winter, 'Whos Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, 'Rosemarys Baby, 'They Shoot Horses Dont they? and 'Klute'. His studies of James Dean, Richard Burton, Peter O'Toole, John Wayne, Marilyn Monroe, Barbra Streisand, Frank Sinatra and Audrey Hepburn are definitive cultural reference points. Away from the movie set he's recognized globally as one of the pre-eminent magazine photographers of the time. His work has been exhibited in over 500 museums in 53 countries and is held in the permanent collections of The Museum of Modern Art, New York. The National Portrait Gallery, Washington, D.C., The National Portrait Gallery, London, The National Museum of Photography, Bradford, Musee de la Photographie, Charleroi, Belgium, and The Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris.

Vision On Publishing
Established in December 1999 by British photographer Rankin and Alex Proud, Vision On is committed to producing quality photographic books with a mass market appeal. Using the highest standards of photography, design and production, Vision On has led the way in the creation of popular art books. Over the past 3 years, Vision On has worked on high profile book and exhibition projects including the critically acclaimed RANKIN NUDES, NIRVANA, DAZED & CONFUSED ANNUAL, BLOOD & GLITTER by Mick Rock, AUDREY: AN INTIMATE COLLECTION by Bob Willoughby, THE STONES 65-67 by Gered Mankowitz and UNDEREXPOSED edited by Colin Jacobson

Feeding from an international creative network of new talent Vision On aims to continue its commitment as a showcase for cutting edge photography and with the promise of over thirty new titles, 2003 looks even more exciting than the last.

DISCLAIMER

Terms for the Submission of Books by Vision On

1 Any objection of the following terms is to be made in writing to Vision On within five days of receipt of this submission memo.

2 No use whatsoever shall be made of the material by the client without the written consent of Vision On, nor shall the material be altered or manipulated, added to or have any part deleted without the written consent of Vision On.

3 The client agrees to indemnify Vision On in respect of any claims, damages, loss or costs arising in any manner from the reproduction without proper reproduction rights of any picture supplied to the client by Vision On.

4 Unless otherwise agreed in writing, if any material reproduced by the client omits the copyright notice, which relates to the material and is supplied by Vision On, a reproduction fee of 50.00 shall be administered.

5    Material shall not be copied, loaned or otherwise disposed of by the client. No part of the material may be reproduced, stored in retrieval systems, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopied, recorded or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Vision On.

6    In case of printed publications, two copies of the relevant pages containing any material supplied are to be furnished free of charge within two weeks of the publication date.

7    While Vision On takes all reasonable care in the performance of the agreement generally, Vision On shall not be liable for any loss or damage suffered by the client or by any third party arising from use or reproduction of any material.

Abridged Terms for the Submission of Photographs by Vision On. For full terms of agreement please see enclosed sheet

No use whatsoever shall be made of the material by the client without the written consent of Vision On, nor shall the material be altered or manipulated, added to or have any part deleted without the written consent of Vision On. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, if any material reproduced by the client omits the copyright notice, which relates to the material and is supplied by Vision On, a reproduction fee of 50.00 shall be administered. Material shall not be copied, loaned or otherwise disposed of by the client. No part of the material may be reproduced, stored in retrieval systems, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopied, recorded or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Vision On.

ENDS

SINATRA BY BOB WILLOUGHBY IS OUT NOVEMBER 2002