Pate, Ken

Roquette Rockers [RARE 1975 1ST EDITION - FINE COPY]

Contrejour, 1975. First Edition. Paperback. Paris, Contrejour, 1975,Softcover in pictorial wrappers. First Edition. 52 pages with 47 full-page photographic images in black and white. Introduction by Carole Naggar.Pate's only book, butnevertheless a classic of the kids of the Rue de la Roquette in the 11e arrondissement offering a fascinating study of American-influenced Parisian rockers and their unique subculture in the early 70's. BOOK CONDITION: Fine; a solid, tight,clean copywith a tiny abrasion to upper margin of rear cover near spine. Overall a collectible copy of this increasingly hard-to-find publication.

In 1975, American photographer Ken Pate was living in Paris, photographing ballet and theater to pay the bills. Then he met three blousons noirs members of a rock n roll and motorcycle-obsessed subculture who agreed to let him photograph them. For several weeks Pate trailed the gang with a camera. The results were collected in Pate's first and only book Roquette Rockers, put out by Paris book and magazine publisher Contrejour. The Rockers in Pate's photographs are decked out in studs and black leather, their hair slicked back as they straddle their motorcycles. Pate's intimate photograph "She said, 1975", reveals a softer side of the blousons noirs. As Naggar writes, "The Rockers want to look tough, but their youth and naiveté shine through.For me his pictures still evoke a sharp pleasure, a feeling that is now mixed with a stab of intense nostalgia" Fine. Item #3576

Price: $550.00