http://www.austin360.com/music/content/music/stories/2007/04/0420rollo.htmlMan, I'm really bummed about this. For those that don't know, Rollo was a legend in the tattoo world. He came up with Ed Hardy in the 60s and worked under Sailor Jerry for years. In fact, when Jerry passed on in 1973, Rollo bought his shop in Honolulu. And if you've ever been in a tattoo shop, you've probably seen some flash that he drew.I was fortunate to get my first tattoos ever from him almost 16 years ago exactly. He was hilarious, worldly, grumpy and, above all, fucking cool. He just got it on every level. He was also involved with the Austin Chronicle, as the friend of the editor and husband of a columnist. He illustrated several covers over the years; here's my favorite:
And here's a great interview with him that contains the following gem:
...the basic premise of tattooing is pretty goofy. It's like, here you have this human body, like a beautiful piece of sculpture ... like somebody owns Michelangelo's David and goes 'I just bought this and I want to get some fire and devils and things on it.'
http://www.prickmag.net/mikemaloneinterview.htmlThis is one of his more famous backpieces, on an old-school Austinite named Prince (Atomic City):
Rest In Peace.
hogginthefogg
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