45th Anniversay of Monterey Pops Celebrates with the opening of The Monterey Rock and Roll Experience

The Monterey Rock and Roll Experience Gallery celebrates the grand opening on the 45th anniversary of the Monterey Pops Festival, June 16th 2012 at 380 Alvarado St. Monterey, CA 93940 with select exhibitors and notable guests legendary rock photographer Ron Raffaelli and Fine Artist Randy Chavez.

Ron Raffaelli, a scholarship graduate of The Art Center School of Design, began his career in Rock and Roll photography as an unknown who, at 23 years of age, was hand-selected by Jimi Hendrix to personally document his first and only US tour with The Experience. Raffaelli went on to photograph many of Rock Music’s iconic artists at one time in their careers including nearly all of the artists who performed at the Monterey Pops Festival in 1967.

Raffaelli shot and produced more than 40 posters, 50 album covers and toured with the elite performers of the classic rock era. After 40 plus years in storage, Raffaelli is now releasing his first museum-quality Fine Art Prints from his vast collection. Signed artist proofs and limited edition prints will premier and be available for purchase at the gallery.

Randy Chavez has received several honors for poster work from the Los Angeles Society of Illustration, including the Patrick Nagel Award for Excellence. A collection of Randy's work can be seen in a recent retrospective publication, The Art of Modern Rock. Chavez studied painting and illustration at The Academy of Art in San Francisco, where he now teaches and continues his work as a freelance artist. As a working illustrator, his most rewarding assignments have been in the music industry. Signed fine art prints will be available for purchase at the gallery.

In addition to Fine Art and Photography, the gallery features collectibles and memorabilia from Rock and Roll music icons such as handwritten poetry from the Doors’ Jim Morrison, limited edition fine art prints by The Beatles’ John Lennon and The Rolling Stones’ Ronnie Wood as well as authentic autographed items and collectibles from many of Monterey Pop Festival Artists including; The Who, Jefferson Airplane, Janis Joplin and The Grateful Dead.

The Monterey Rock and Roll Experience promises to be a new major attraction for Downtown Monterey. The gallery, features an incredible collection of fine art, photography, authentic autographs, collectibles, and vintage vinyl records from the best-known and respected artists in the world.