ARMANDO GALLO
‘Rock ‘n Roll’
Armando Gallo was born in Oriago, Italy, a small village near Venice. He has been a photojournalist since 1967, when he attended The Beatles ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’s listening party. His article on the event was published as an exclusive in the Italian weekly magazine ‘BIG’. Inspired by the experience, he left his architectural career to become the London correspondent for ‘CIAO 2001’, a leading Italian rock weekly, covering the vibrant London music scene of the late 60s and 70s.
He left London in the spring of 1975 to take a position in Los Angeles as a correspondent for ‘TV Sorrisi e Canzoni’, covering the Hollywood scene and interviewing stars such as John Wayne, Henry Fonda, and a young Steven Spielberg. When Peter Gabriel left Genesis, one of Gallo’s favorite British bands, he decided to write a book about the band to preserve their story. Gabriel was struggling to establish a solo career, while Genesis thrived under Phil Collins’ leadership. Gallo’s book, ‘Genesis: The Evolution of a Rock Band’, published in 1978, aimed to document Gabriel’s contributions and the band’s formative years.
In 1980, Gallo self-published ‘I Know What I Like’ under his imprint, DIY Books. The book was sold mainly in record stores, pioneering a successful distribution model. It was later republished in Italy, France, and Germany. Gallo’s publishing company, Fratelli Gallo Editori, produced over 40 rock books and the monthly magazine ‘PIX Photorock.’
1986 following the Amnesty International’s Conspiracy of Hope tour, Gallo self-published a special book on Peter Gabriel, featuring late-night conversations and photos from Gabriel’s solo tours. ‘I Know What I Like’ and ‘Peter Gabriel’ remain sought-after memorabilia for Genesis and Gabriel fans.
From 1987, Gallo toured with U2 as a live concert photographer. By the end of their ‘Achtung Baby’ tour, he co-directed a video for the song “Even Better Than the Real Thing.” Gallo has worked as a photojournalist in Hollywood for over 40 years and was awarded two Telegatto awards for his work. In 2009, he received ‘The Traveling Heart’ award during the HITWEEK music festival for his contribution to Italian music abroad.
He has been a member of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association since 1978, serving as a voting judge for the Golden Globes. His photographs have graced numerous magazine covers and albums, and Zuma Press now represents his work.
Gallo’s first love: Rock ‘n Roll.
Musicians and bands he has photographed and interviewed include:
Genesis, U2, Peter Gabriel, R.E.M., Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Paul McCartney, Frank Zappa, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Bob Marley, Kate Bush, TOTO, BB King, David Bowie, Queen, Madonna, Phil Collins, Lou Reed, Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Iggy Pop, Prince, and many more.