I'll have Takahiro 'Taki' Kitamura, publisher of the book (and renowned tattoo artist), tell ya:
The man, the myth, the legend: Bob Roberts. Few people have had the
impact on tattooing that Bob Roberts has. His sheer artistic genius is
sublime, and his biography reads the same way. For over thirty years he
has been part of the vanguard of talented tattoo artists who,
unbeknownst to them at the time, have pushed tattooing from a craft to
an art form.
The list of artists Bob has worked alongside reads like a star-studded
who's who of the tattoo artist hall of fame, of which Bob would no doubt
be a member if such a thing existed. He apprenticed with Colonel Todd
and Bob Shaw at the infamous Pike and then worked alongside Cliff
Raven, Greg Irons, Paul Rogers, Jack Rudy and Don Ed Hardy. His own
shop, Spotlight Tattoo, continues to house a roster of talented artists
bent on following in Bob's footsteps.
Bob's creative genius is not limited to tattooing and painting, he is
also an accomplished musician. His musical career reads much the same as
his tattoo resume. Bob has played with Ruben and the Jets, Hot Tuna,
The Offs, New York Dolls, Johnny Thunders, to name a few. His life has
been 'rock and roll' as well; Frisco, New York, LA, Europe, Japan, Bob
has done the world tour.
He's also ridden across most of the United
States on a Harley, and he's 'ridden it like he stole it.' That is how
Bob lives his life, and his artwork reflects it.
But the thing that stands out the most to me about Bob is his persona.
Ungovernable, fiercely independent, Bob does not compromise.... He does it
HIS way. And thankfully for us, Bob Roberts has forever changed
tattooing for the better.
It's guaranteed to be an exciting book. If you can't make it to the show, you can pre-order it here for $320 (US). The books, signed and numbered, will be shipped in mid-August.
interesting...i will preorder