Waits/Corbijn: '77–11

Now back in print in an updated edition, this stunning, award-winning visual odyssey encapsulates the essence of Tom Waits’ enigmatic persona and Anton Corbijn's distinctive photographic style.

Spanning over three decades, this extraordinary book showcases the enduring collaboration between a legendary musician and a renowned Dutch photographer—a creative symbiosis that has produced some of the most memorable images in rock and roll history.

Structured chronologically, it traces Waits’ evolution as an artist alongside Corbijn’s development as a photographer whose starkly evocative images capture Waits in a multitude of settings, from gritty urban landscapes to intimate studio sessions. Through Corbijn’s lens, Waits emerges not just as a musician but as a multifaceted character, embodying the spirit of the troubadour, the poet, and the raconteur. A final section features Waits’ own photography along with poems, stories, and collages.

As Jim Jarmusch comments in the introduction, “A collection of images of Tom Waits seen through the eyes of Anton Corbijn is something special, some kind of vortex, an axis of evil geniuses.” Tom Waits fans, photography enthusiasts, and anyone seeking insight into the joy of collaboration will find much to discover in this inspiring partnership between two artistic visionaries and friends.

About the Author

ANTON CORBIJN began photographing musicians and bands in the late 1970s and quickly progressed to making music videos and later major feature films. Many books of his work have been published, including Anton Corbijn: 1-2-3-4 by Prestel.

THOMAS ALAN WAITS is an American musician, composer, songwriter, and actor. His lyrics often focus on the underbelly of society and are delivered in his trademark deep, gravelly voice.

JIM JARMUSCH is a legendary American filmmaker.

ROBERT CHRISTGAU is journalist, essayist and one of the most influential music critics of his generation.