Bob Gruen is a well-known American music photographer who has captured some of the most iconic images of rock and roll legends over the past 50 years. He was born in New York City in 1945 and grew up in Manhattan. He began his photography career as a teenager, taking pictures of his friends and the city around him. Gruen's big break came in the early 1970s when he became John Lennon's personal photographer. He photographed Lennon during his "Lost Weekend" period in Los Angeles and was with him on the night he was assassinated in 1980. Gruen's photographs of Lennon have become some of the most famous images of the musician. In addition to Lennon, Gruen has photographed many other music icons, including The Rolling Stones, The Who, Led Zeppelin, Bob Dylan, and Patti Smith, among many others. His work has been published in numerous books and magazines, and he has had exhibitions of his photographs around the world. Gruen is also known for his activism and has been involved in many social and political causes throughout his career. He has used his photography to support issues such as anti-nuclear power and anti-war movements, and has also been a vocal advocate for artists' rights.