Atlantans mourn Frank Mullen
May 10, 2009 at 3:16 pm by Andisheh Nouraee in News
Frank Mullen in 2005. (Photo by Jim Stawniak)
Sad news this afternoon — local Twitter users are posting tributes to the great Atlanta music photographer Frank Mullen. Tony Ware wrote a short feature about Mullen for CL in 2005.
I don’t have any details at the moment. When we do, we’ll post them here or on our music blog, Crib Notes.
Update: Chad Radford has a post on Crib Notes on Mullen’s passing.
May 10th, 2009 at 3:28 pm
He had been sick for a couple years but wanted to continue as normal so kept it pretty private. He passed away last night.
Frank was an amazing man. I will miss him dearly. I know many will.
May 10th, 2009 at 4:07 pm
Agreed Tessa! Such great person, it breaks my heart. Condolences to Vanessa and his family.
May 10th, 2009 at 4:50 pm
Such sad, sad, news. I’m heart broken over it today. Frank was such a kind and talented man. He is going to be dearly remembered and dearly missed in this community. God’s speed Frank.
- Zack
May 10th, 2009 at 5:35 pm
Frank was one of the good guys and he will be missed. A sad day for us all. I will have an extra long prayer tonight.
May 10th, 2009 at 6:56 pm
I am honored to have known Frank; his wit, talent, creativity, and professionalism are only 3 of the reasons he’s one of the coolest people I’ve ever been lucky enough to know or work with.
Frank has been the official photographer/sponsor for the Atlanta Rollergirls since our first season, and his incredible work helped our league grow in countless ways.
We will miss you, man! Love and thoughts are with his wife, son, family & friends.
~hlh
PS: here’s a video of Frank as “Dr. Black” and his human pincushion at Atlanta Rollergirls talent show/fundraiser
(summer 2008)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbIsedBKwgw
May 10th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
Frank was an amazing and talented person, never an unkind word about anyone and always with a laid back upbeat attitude. I will miss him as a neighbor, an artist and a friend.
May 10th, 2009 at 9:33 pm
I have known Frank since 1980. He was a fixture in our little scene in college (UF). Our ex wives were best friends and he and I got even closer in the past few years. I was proud to call him my friend and he was like a brother to me. He called on me to help him get in better shape so he could fight the cancer and I was honored and touched and we gave it our best shot but the disease won. I saw him last night and I guess I was one of the last people to see him alive. As I held his hand and stroked his head I told him to relax, let go, be at peace and we will be OK and I’ll see him soon in time. It will be all over soon. An hour later he was gone. We will all miss his energy, spirit, wit and creative eye. I love you buddy….
May 10th, 2009 at 11:45 pm
Frank was such a great person, and was such a part of so many peoples lives. I was lucky to have him as a friend, photographer and co-worker for many years. I am very sad.
May 11th, 2009 at 12:25 am
I will miss his sense of humor and his friendship.
My condolences to Vanessa and his family.
May 11th, 2009 at 6:08 am
I can’t remember a time when Frank was not working with us and we worked together until the very end and am proud to call him my friend.
Thanks my friend
May 11th, 2009 at 10:17 am
what sad news. I guess we should have taken him up on his offer for dinner only a few weeks ago.
Frank was the cream of the ATL music scene. My first NARAS buddy. Dear Vanessa, we will see you soon.
May 11th, 2009 at 10:34 am
We are both saddened to hear the news of Frank’s passing.
We will always treasure the times we were able to spend with him.
Vanessa, you are in our thoughts and prayers.
May 11th, 2009 at 10:45 am
I am so shocked and saddened to hear about this. Frank shot The Swear’s very first promo photos back in 2004, and shot us live many times. He had long offered to come in and shoot us in the studio for free, though the timing never worked out, and I immensely regret it never did. He was unbelievably talented and an absolute blast to work with. RIP Frank, and my thoughts go out to his family.
May 11th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
I will always remember Frank’s great smile. He could light up any room.I’m so glad to have stood side by side with him for so many great concerts.He obviously loved his work and music. I’m very happy to consider myself one of his many many friends. Everyone loved him so much.He was such a gentle, friendly,talented, and lovable man.He will be truly missed.My heart and prayers go out to everyone who was touched by this extraordinary human being especially Vanessa and the family.Vanessa let me know if I can help you in any way.
May 11th, 2009 at 2:22 pm
I along with the whole team at 360 Media are very saddened to have heard this news over the weekend. Frank was one of the best and he will be truly, truly missed. His talent was one-of-a-kind and he always had a smile on his face most of all he was a friend and a true joy to work with! Sending love to Vanessa and family.
May 11th, 2009 at 5:34 pm
I’m happy I could call Frank a friend. There are 5 Frank Mullen photos I look at with out fail in my house everyday; one by my sink as I brush my teeth, one by my door as I leave the house, two above my Desk and one on my computer that pops up every few minutes. I never heard a cross work or impatient tone from the man, and I saw him in situations that would have had me screaming.
No one, and I mean no one could point a damn camera at an object and somehow steal it’s personality like Frank could. He was as gifted as he was a gift to those who knew him. He was an damn Artist, a damn Gentleman and a damn good friend.
Frank I’ll miss you.
Sleep well – you deserve it.
Laffo.
May 11th, 2009 at 5:39 pm
I’m so pleased to have known Frank and to have worked with him. His constant support and generosity were instrumental in the success of the Atlanta Rollergirls. I can’t imagine ARG without him. What a fantastic guy and a beautiful person.
May 11th, 2009 at 8:03 pm
Frank and I worked together many times when I would be reviewing concerts, interviewing bands or other such events. He was my absolute favorite photographer to work with and I am proud to have been associated with him over the years. No matter what was going on in his personal life, he was always pleasant and kept a positive attitude. He was an all around great guy and I am deeply saddened by his passing.
May 11th, 2009 at 10:28 pm
I had the privilege of meeting Frank for the first time at Music Midtown in 2004. Any concert I was photographing was always that much better when he was in the pit. Despite his illness he still gave all his effort to everything he did for as long as he possibly could. Frank…you will always be remembered by everyone who knew you. My thoughts and love to Vanessa and Kyle
May 12th, 2009 at 9:34 am
I knew Frank since about the seventh grade. In college he taught me how to play the bass and put me in my first band with him on guitar. I didn’t see him for about 20 years until we re-connected through the Internet and eventually did the Roach Motel reunion with Bob and Jeff. Frank was always the calm level-headed guy and the glue that held things together that ordinarily might not have held together. He handled his fight with a grace and dignity not often seen, and I had no idea from what he told me that he was really as sick as he was. Adios, buddy. We miss you.
May 12th, 2009 at 9:51 am
If it were not for ARG i would not have known Frank. Funny thing is we lived in the same community.We frequented Silverbacks games,shopped in the same places I even ran into him at career day and had spoken to his son’s class on a separate occasion. Because of derby I gained a neighbor and a friend. Getting photog advice from a pro was a bonus. He was always willing to help when and where he could for a novice like me and I will miss not only his creative talent but seeing him out in the neighborhood.
May 12th, 2009 at 7:08 pm
Frank’s been a good friend for 27 years. Besides being in the same band, we were briefly roommates – after my original roommate quit paying rent & got me evicted. Frank is one of the most original, interesting & good people I have known. I will miss him greatly. Best wishes to his family.
May 13th, 2009 at 3:06 pm
I spoke to Frank Mullen’s wife Vanessa today, and she asked me to express her deepest thanks to all of you who have been sending so many kind and thoughtful messages to her, Kyle, and Frank’s parents. She deeply appreciates the heartfelt sympathy and outpouring of love and respect. As you can imagine, this is a very difficult time, and while they are making plans for his memorial service, no date is yet confirmed. Once set, this will be shared ASAP.
September 5th, 2009 at 2:52 am
I just heard about his passing and while i only met him once and for a few hours he talked and treated me like a friend he’d known for years. beautiful man <3 r.i.p