Leee Black Childers Remembered Two Years Later

Two years ago yesterday the world lost rock photographer/manager Leee Childers. Hailing from the hills of Kentucky with aspirations of being a photographer; it was Andy Warhol who first acknowledged Leee as a photographer at the Factory in 1968. He spent much of his time photographing rock stars and celebrities in back room of the legendary Max’s Kansas City which included Lou Reed, Patti Smith, Deborah Harry, Wayne County among many others. Leee was with his friend Judy Garland and a group of drag queens when the police raided a bar during Mayor Lindsay’s so called anti-masquarading campaign. This led to the Stonewall Riots in the West Village which Leee attended and resulted in the Gay Liberation Movement.

Leee loved photographing interesting people wearing unconventional attire. Every year he had a field day photographing costumes on display at the annual Coney Island Mermaid Parade. An event that wouldn’t have floated in Mayor Lindsay’s New York.

David Bowie was the first act Leee managed. It was during the Ziggy Stardust Tour. In 1972 Leee took the first group photos of a game changing band called the New York Dolls. The image caught the eye of Rod Stewart who booked the New York Dolls to open for his band The Faces in England that same year. New York Dolls lead singer David Johansen was King Neptune of the Mermaid Parade in 2005.

Leee went on to manage acts such as Iggy Pop, Mott the Hoople, Sid Vicious and Johnny Thunders. He loved reading the witticisms of satirist Dorothy Parker. I would often buy him a Dorothy Parker book for his birthday; even though he owned everything she had ever written.

With his Kentucky drawl and diamond blue eyes I enjoyed listening to Leee’s stories and his unique perspective on what was culturally bizarre and unique. I was honored to have Leee take the first professional photos of my daughter when she was barely 4 weeks.

Two years ago just like Woody Guthrie decades before, Leee’s ashes were scattered over Coney Island Beach. I often think of Leee when I walk along the beach where his ashes were scattered.

Coney Island had a special place in Leee’s heart.