That '70s Shot

A picture might be worth 1,000 words, but what about musical notes? You can help keep the music flowing in schools and own a piece of rock photo history this week with the Not Fade Away Gallery's silent auction.

Whether you want to see the images firsthand at the gallery (open noon to 6 p.m.) or check them out online, Not Fade Away is displaying over 70 rare artist proofs and limited edition images from Bob Bonis and SoHo Weekly News photographer Allan Tannenbaum. Of the proceeds, 30 percent from their respective exhibits, The British Are Coming: The Beatles and The Rolling Stones 1964-66 and New York in the 70s, will go to the VH1 Save the Music Foundation, which has helped support music education programs in public schools for over 12 years.

The photos cover a wide range of important '70s moments, from political unrest in Washington Square Park to the rise of the punk and disco eras. The collections include Sid Vicious getting arrested in NYC, several images of John Lennon and striking shots of female music icons like Debbie Harry and Patti Smith. There are also several of Bonis' "lost" Beatles and Rolling Stones photos available and on display.

Larry Marion, Director of Not Fade Away Gallery, wrote in a statement: "This auction is a unique opportunity to acquire extremely rare fine art photographs that document both the music, cultural, social and political scenes that dominated the 1970s, as well as a number of the rarest images of The Beatles and The Rolling Stones from 1964-66, taken by their U.S. Tour Manager Bob Bonis, and support an extremely important charity to preserve music in our schools.  We welcome all bidders to preview these photographs and bid early."

The gallery — located at 12 East 20th Street, 2nd Floor, (tel. 212-995-1400) — will cap the silent auction with a reception Thursday night at 6 p.m. Four hours later, the winning bids will be announced.

John Lennon photo courtesy of Bob Bonis, Village People and Valerie Perrine photo courtesy of Robert Tannenbaum.