Photo exhibit on 1960s, 1970s rock legends opens at River North gallery

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Pattie Boyd was the muse to both of the musical idols she wed: George Harrison and Eric Clapton. The marriages didn't last, but her love for photography did.

"This was after 13 years of being with Eric Clapton. I now was on my own and not sure of what I was going to do until I spotted my camera," Boyd said. "I was about to go out for the evening and I was getting dressed and I was sitting on the end of the bed. And I had my camera nearby... What you probably don't realize in the photograph, I'm not quite dressed. That is my skirt on the side."

She was at a shoot for an album cover when the official photographer took a break.

"I jumped into his place and took the photograph just at the right moment when George opened the bottle of champagne," she said.

Boyd and acclaimed rock photographer Henry Diltz are on the "Behind the Lens" tour, which is at Hilton Asmus Contemporary in Chicago's River North neighborhood. Diltz has captured the fervor of Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Tina Turner and others.

"I photographed Jim Morrison at the Hollywood Bowl and I was the only photographer there. Now days can you imagine if Jim Morrison did a concert, there'd be 5,000 photographers," Diltz said.

Diltz is behind a famous picture of Crosby, Stills and Nash before the group got its name. They were sitting out of order.

"I said let's just go back and jump on the couch we'll take it again. So we all got in the car and went back and there was no house. The house was gone. They had to use it that way," Diltz said.

"They're all moments that remind me of great things great experiences great fun. Some people want to look back at those moments they remember because all of this is the music of our lives and the soundtrack of our lives," Boyd said.

"Visions of A Magic Time" will be at Hilton Asmus Contemporary in River North through October 30th.