Rock ‘n’ roll photography is important to the music, as music is to itself.

We all know the iconic images of Rock & Roll. From the photo of Jimi Hendrix burning his guitar at Monterey Pop Festival, The Clash’s Paul Simonon smashing his guitar on a New York stage, The Ramones hanging out outside of CBGB’s with their iconic leather jackets to The Beatles getting off a plane at the San Francisco Airport on the day of the band’s last concert on Aug. 29, 1966. We have all worshiped the subjects but never stop to think about who it was that captured that moment in time.

“Every revolution has to be photographed to be believed,” says Gail Buckland, a professor of photography history at Cooper Union College in New York. “Photography of revolution is vitally important, and we all know that rock and roll was one of the most important social revolutions the world has ever known.” It has always been a reaction to the times and has defined each and every generation.

Who Shot Rock & Roll: A Photographic History, 1955 to the Present,” is an exhibit of 175 images by more than 100 photographers opening Feb. 11 at the Allentown Art Museum.

“The exhibit offers not only photos of performances, but also images of fans, portraits of artists and glimpses of their lives offstage. It also includes the images — album covers and publicity shots — that helped carry word of the art form to the masses.”

A shot of rock and roll

•What: A photographic history of rock, 1955 to the present, featuring 175 photos by more than 100 photographers, including both iconic and never-before-exhibited images.

•When: Feb. 11-May 13

Where: Allentown Arts Museum, 31 N. Fifth St., Allentown

•How much: $12; $10, seniors, ages 6 and older; free, 5 and under, active military personnel and members and everyone on Sundays

•Hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday

•Info: http://www.allentownartmuseum.org, 610-432-4333

Related events:

• Feb. 11: Exhibition Preview Party, 7-11 p.m. with book signing by Gail Buckland, music by radio station 99.9 The Hawk and Don Cunningham and His Cabinet, rock-themed drinks and appetizers. $15
• Feb. 12: 2-4 p.m. Gail Buckland, historian and guest curator of “Who Shot Rock & Roll: A Photographic History, 1955 to the Present,” talks about the exhibit and signs companion book. $15; $5, members
• Feb. 18: 7-11 p.m., WDIY fund-raiser, with tour of exhibit, book-signing by Buckland, music by The Doughboys, hors d’oeuvres and drinks. $55; $45, WDIY members. RSVP by Feb. 8 at http://www.wdiy.com or 610-694-8100, ext. 7
• Feb. 26: 2-4 p.m. Rock photographer David Godlis, whose images are part of the exhibit, talks about his experiences behind the lens. $15; $5 members
• March 1: 6-8 p.m. Lecture by Terry Stewart, president of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. $15; $5 members
• March 6: 6-8 p.m. Lecture “Glamour Garb: Rock & Roll Costumes” by Fred Dennis, senior curator of costume, The Museum at FIT. $15; $5 members
• March 15: 5:30-8 p.m. Art After Hours: Rock the Halls. An evening of entertainment based on the exhibit. Rock-inspired dress encouraged. $20; $10 members. Reservations recommended. 610-432-4333, ext. 154 or events@allentownartmuseum.org.
• March 22: 6-8 p.m. Lecture by Dick Boak, C.F. Martin & Co. director of artist relations. $15; $5 members
• March 27: “Writing and Rocking” lecture by David Fricke, Rolling Stone magazine senior editor. $15; $5 members

(Prices include museum admission)

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When Henry‘s not busy working for the corporate machine, updating this page and speaking in third person, he’s busy shooting and editing pictures from concerts, designing logos for bands, setting up interviews and trying to develop a podcast.