MOTR Pub Hosts a Special Talk on Music Photographer Paul Natkin and an Exhibit of his Photos of King Records Legends
MOTR Pub, the live music venue in Over-the-Rhine, is currently hosting the exhibit Paul Natkin: King in Chicago, which features photography by Paul Natkin, one of Chicago’s most prolific and important music photojournalists. Over four decades, Natkin has captured on film thousands of musicians performing on various Chicago stages, including 16 music legends who once recorded for Cincinnati’s King Records.
The exhibit, showcasing such King Records alumni and R & B/ Blues icons as James Brown, Bootsy Collins, Hank Ballard, Charles Brown, The O Jays and John Lee Hooker, runs through November 22nd, as part of the regional FotoFocus Biennial 2026.
On Friday October 30th, during Final Friday OTR, historian Brian Powers will give a presentation at 6 P.M. on this special exhibit, speaking on Natking’s remarkable life in photography and highlighting the careers of these music pioneers in the exhibit and their Cincinnati connections. From 5 to 6pm, Powers will be spinning King recordings by the artists in the exhibit.
Over his career, Natking has served as the official touring photographer for legendary acts like the Rolling Stones and has documented stars like Prince, Ozzy Osborne and Bruce Springsteen. He was a frequent contributor to Creem Magazine, along with many other music magazines (Rolling Stone, Circus, Hit Parader), creating a massive archive.
Chris Varias, co-owner of MOTR Pub and Chicago native, worked with Natkin to identify King Records artists in his collection. Many of the images selected date from the 1980s when many of these innovators were finally getting recognition for their groundbreaking work from the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s.
All 16 performers in the exhibit have been recognized as important contributors to American Music. James Brown, Bootsy Collins, Hank Ballard, Lavern Baker, and The O’Jays are members of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. Champion Jack Dupree, Memphis Slim, Syl Johnson, Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson, and Big Jay McNeely are in the Blues Hall of Fame in Memphis. Albert King, John Lee Hooker, Charles Brown, and Johnny Otis have been inducted into both the Blues Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The exhibit also features two inductees of the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville. Bluegrass icon Ralph Stanley and Jethro Burns, who first gained fame as a member of the King Records country duo Homer & Jethro.
Additional Information:
Admission is FREE
MOTR Pub does not have ADA access to the basement where a portion of the photographs will be displayed.
