“Technique is the means to an end. You have to know the technical aspects in order to create a photograph. If your technique is poor the photograph will suffer. It’s the same with other art forms. The photo has to have soul otherwise it would be an empty image.”

Eric Antoniou: Rock to Baroque

Eric Antoniou has two passions in life: music and photography. Those dual loves are chronicled in his new book “Rock to Baroque: Four Decades of Music Photography. Eric Antoniou, says: “Raised in the remote mountainous village of Kerasia in the Lake Plastira region of central Greece, music and photography were shared passions. Our house had not only a radio but also a cassette player and turntable. Plus, my Radio Shack Flavoradio pocket transistor accompanied me wherever I went, along with my beloved Agfamatic 50-point-and-shoot camera. The walls of our house featured framed black and white photographs selected from a drawer brimming with prints. At 16, thanks to my brother, I acquired my first 35mm camera, for which I remain eternally grateful. Fast forward to UMass Boston; the contrast from my origins could hardly have been more emphatic. However, my ambition quickly came into focus, and I enrolled in the New England School of Photography, where I graduated with high honors in photojournalism. When my first published photo appeared in the Boston Globe soon after, the die was cast. Before long, I found myself front and center at arts events throughout the city.”

(Eric Antoniou with his book Rock To Baroque - John Lee Hooker / Photo © by Eric Antoniou)

Rock to Baroque (2025) is a stunning 240-page tribute to legendary live performances, featuring icons like David Bowie, The Rolling Stones, David Byrne, Johnny Cash, Leonard Bernstein, Frank Sinatra, B.B. King, Dizzy Gillespie, Bob Dylan, Donna Summer, Kurt Cobain, and many others. With insightful captions by acclaimed music writers Jim Sullivan, Jon Garelick, Lloyd Schwartz, and Ted Drozdowski — plus vivid first-hand accounts from the original concerts—  this book brings musical history to life. The introduction is written by former U.S. Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky, setting the tone for an unforgettable journey through decades of sound and stage.

Interview by Michael Limnios / Photos © by Eric Antoniou

-How has the music and photo art influenced your views of the world?

Music and photography take up most of my time. They are the lens that I view the world through.

-What characterize your photo shooting artistic philosophy?

Basically, I try to make a good photograph. I have the utmost respect of my subjects whether they famous or not. I never use a photo if the subject does not look good.

-What do you love most about the act of photography?

Photography stops time and preserves it for ever.

-What do you think is key to a good image?

The key is to capture something unique. To capture a special moment.  Most photos are cliches. Lighting, composition the expression are very important.

-Are there any specific memories or highlights of your career that you would like to tell us about?!

An early photographic memory is from 1981 after a concert in my hometown of Karditsa. In the photo it’s Vasilis Papakonstantinou, Dionisis Tsaknis and Kostas Thomaidis, I was 16 when I took the photo! Meeting and photographing David Bowie. Photographing the Rolling Stones from the stage and behind me there were 60,000 fans!

“Music and photography take up most of my time. They are the lens that I view the world through.“ (B.B. King & Junior Wells / Photos © by Eric Antoniou)

-What do you miss most nowadays from the music of the past?

The past by definition is gone. The musicians come and go but the music remains. You can listen to music from the 1970s, 1960s or from the sixteenth century.

-What's the balance in photo art between technique and soul?

Technique is the means to an end. You have to know the technical aspects in order to create a photograph. If your technique is poor the photograph will suffer. It’s the same with other art forms. The photo has to have soul otherwise it would be an empty image.

-What music moment changed your life the most?

Discovering rock music in my teen years. I lived and breathed music. It was a lifestyle that affected the rest of my life.

-Which photo shooting was the most important experiences (and difficult) for you? 

The first assignment for the Boston Globe. I was very young and very nervous. I had to take some good photos in order to continue working for them. The most difficult was a photo shoot for the Boston Ballet. I had to photograph the entire company about 65 people. I used 10 lights to cover all the people who were standing on the steps of the Wang Theatre in Boston.

“Photography has shaped my life. I Iearnt about politics, music, dance, theatre and life in general through photography.” (James Cotton / Photo © by Eric Antoniou)

-What is the impact of photo art on the socio-cultural implications?

Photography has an important place in society. A photograph is a document. It doesn’t lie. I went to school for photojournalism. I worked for newspapers, magazines, books…

-How do you want your images to affect people? 

If I can make someone smile, think, evoke an emotion, I would be happy.  Ideally, you want someone to be moved by the images.

-Why do you think that Eric Antoniou photo legacy continues to generate such a devoted following?   

I don’t have a huge following! I have been creating images for 40 years, that’s a lot of years! I am in a good place right now because I have an exhibition and a book!

“Rock to Baroque” Four decades of music photography. It’s my life’s work.

-What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experiences in the photography path’s?

Photography has shaped my life. I Iearnt about politics, music, dance, theatre and life in general through photography.

Eric Antoniou Photography - Home

(Left: Dizzy Gillespie / Photo © by Eric Antoniou - Right: Eric Antoniou)