Steven Koress
retrobilia.69@gmail.com
stevenkoress.com
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Steven Koress’ passion of the music industry began when dealing vinyl at age 17 working for Hear Hear Records and later Sound Unlimited. Two degrees from the American Academy of Art (illustration) and The School of the Art Institute gave Koress a refined approach to capture the rawness of the scene in which he became deeply entrenched. As the house photographer of The Riviera, International Amphitheater, and Metro, Koress frequented the stages and backstage of shows many try so hard to remember. His images present a unique focal point, often from the band’s point of view. Koress, physically on stage photographing The Dead Kennedys, The Ramones, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Replacements, or on a catwalk dangling above Naked Raygun, captured the most punk of rock moments of Chicago’s music scene during that time. Essentially a part of many performances, Koress was welcomed into the action on and off the stage often inviting musicians back to his studio, enabling him to get unique and intimate portraits of the stars.
In 1985 Koress won the Skrebneski Award, and in 1986 the Fermilab Holography Award. He contributed photos the Dave Grohl-produced “Sonic Highways” documentary, and is also contributing his photos to the “Disco Demolition” documentary, currently in production.