Ruminations on Atlanta music photographer Frank Mullen (1961-2009)

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As news of Frank Mullen’s death began to circulate online last month, numerous comments and recollections poured in from friends, fellow photographers and acquaintances who were once subjects of Mullen’s lens. We asked several of Mullen’s closest friends to share anecdotes about him with us. Some of their written responses were used in this week’s CL cover story, Frank Mullen (1961-2009): The Atlanta music photographer who never lost his cool.-

The testimonials are included in full below.-

On a personal note Frank Mullen and I became friends and colleagues in the fall of 2001. I was working as a writer and editor for a regional music trade publication. We had met a few times in the past when we were both freelancing for Creative Loafing’s short-lived spin-off nightlife weekly the Scene, but we didn’t really get to know each other until we had both moved on.-

Frank and I reconnected and he began shooting photos for several cover stories on bands like Of Montreal, Elf Power and Jucifer, and his shots were always gorgeous. As a relative newcomer to the game I was inspired by Frank’s professionalism. He was a total pro, the likes of which I had never encountered in the trenches of the local music scene, and he had taste.-

I visited his house once and saw his photos, mingling with his collections of records, cow horns, clown and serial killer art. He told me about his ’80s hardcore band Roach Motel, and about the antics they unleashed playing shows with the likes of Black Flag, Suicidal Tendencies, Minor Threat, the Dead Kennedys and every other punk band I idolized as a teenager. A few years later I had the chance to write about Roach Motel when they played a reunion show at Echo Lounge in 2004.-

Frank came to my office once in the summer of 2002 to drop off an invoice for some photos he had taken. His son Kyle was with him, who was still in grade school at the time. They left and I was about to do the same, but I couldn’t find my watch. I looked under papers, under my desk and in the trash can but found nothing.-

A few minutes later Frank and Kyle appeared in my doorway again. Frank winked at me and in a stern voice said, &-;Kyle, do you have something to say to Chad?” His son held out his hand and in it was my watch. He quietly apologized without making eye contact. It was adorable, and no sooner than he had finished saying he was sorry, Frank knelt down and calmly explained to him that you should never ever steal anything and that he had done a good thing by bringing it back.-

I thought ‘damn, this guy is good! He’s an amazing photographer and he’s an excellent father.’ Frank Mullen was a role model to be sure, and I learned a lot from his patience, his personality and his eye.’‘-
- Chad Radford-

The following songs can all be found on Roach Motel’s Worstest Hits CD.-

“I Hate the Sunshine State” mp3-

“My Dog’s Into Anarchy” mp3-

“More Beer” mp3-

“Brooke Shields Must Die” mp3-

View a photo gallery of Frank Mullen’s work. Click below to read more testimonials, anecdotes and ruminations on Frank Mullen.’’