san francisco // Current

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JC Orton on the School of the Americas

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New S.F. Food Policy Boosts Local Farms

Mayor Gavin Newsom issued an executive directive Wednesday ordering all departments to survey the land under their control in... more

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SF Giants Pitcher Sanchez throws No Hitter

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TheBrownKid
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Photographer Terry O'Neill 2 for the ages: Chairman and Knight

British photographer Terry O'Neill has taken unforgettable pictures of pop culture icons like Audrey Hepburn, the Beatles and David Bowie. But what made him pick two of his more unconventional subjects for the upcoming San Francisco Art Exchange exhibiti, "Chairman of the Board, Knight of the Realm: Photographs of Frank Sinatra & Sir Elton John"?

It's easy. "They're two of the hardest-working artists I've ever worked with," says O'Neill, 70, calling from his home in London last week. "There will never be anyone like them again."

O'Neill spent more than 40 years working with Sinatra and John, forging friendships and getting unrivaled access to their remarkable lives. He doesn't just go backstage, the way he did when John performed at Dodger Stadium in a sequined baseball uniform in 1975 or Sinatra played for a sold-out crowd at the London Palladium in 1989; O'Neill's work shadows the men on movie sets, private jets and sometimes even in the bedroom.

No easy feat considering John hated being photographed ("He didn't feel like he was good-looking, but I kept taking pictures and bypassed that," O'Neill says) and Sinatra was so protective of his public image that he once threatened to kill him. ("It was always a challenge with him and great fun.")

O'Neill was well prepared, having started his celebrity career as a Fleet Street photographer before going on to take pictures of some of the most recognizable faces of the past century, including presidents, queens and Twiggy. He has released four books of his work. He also produced the 1981 film "Mommie Dearest," briefly marrying its star Faye Dunaway and taking her famous morning-after Oscar shot before retreating behind the lens.

"I like being an observer of life, not in the front line," O'Neill says.

The SFAE show also features several pieces never before displayed as well as two images that are part of the permanent collection at London's National Portrait Gallery.

Chairman of the Board, Knight of the Realm: Photographs of Frank Sinatra & Sir Elton John,: Opening reception. Free. 7 p.m. Saturday. San Francisco Art Exchange, 458 Geary St., San Francisco. RSVP recommended. (800) 344-9633. www.sfae.com.British photographer Terry O'Neill has taken unforgettable pictures of pop culture icons like Audrey Hepburn, the Beatles and... more