Tony Levin: A Life of Music & Photography

For decades, musician Tony Levin has chronicled his life on the road through photography and his online “road diary.” His photographs capture iconic moments on stage playing with bandmates, the day-to-day life on tour, and everything in between. “The images tell a story. Each represents that I was lucky to be in that place at that time with a vantage point that other people don’t have—from on stage or backstage and being in the band,” said Tony. A Life of Music and Photography gives viewers a glimpse into what it’s like being on the road with King Crimson, Peter Gabriel, Paul Simon, Sting, Peter Frampton, Stick Men, and more.

Tony Levin was born in 1946 in Boston, Massachusetts. Influenced by his musical family, Levin began playing the upright bass around age ten and the tuba in high school. Tony studied music at the Eastman School of Music and then appeared in the Rochester Philharmonic. Over time his interest in music shifted to jazz and then to rock.

In 1970 Tony relocated to New York City to pursue his rock music career. He began to work as a session musician, which led to his work with Peter Gabriel and Robert Fripp. From there, he has played on albums and/or toured with artists such as John Lennon, Pink Floyd, Lou Reed, Alice Cooper, Carly Simon, Paula Cole, James Taylor, and countless other luminaries. Levin is currently a member of the bands King Crimson, Peter Gabriel Band, Stick Men, and Levin Brothers.

Tony has always had an interest in photography and experimented with different cameras, equipment, and techniques throughout his career. He has documented decades of concerts, studio sessions, and behind-the-scenes moments. “I always have some part of my mind looking at the light on different people trying to be aware of if there is an image that wants to be captured,” explains Tony. Whether on stage or on the road, Tony has accumulated a vast catalog, and this collection of images includes some of the finest.