Free Bird or Falsehood? Ross Halfin Faces Allegations Over Rock Photos
The Legal Battle Over Iconic Rock Photos
Jeremy Wagner, a passionate collector of rock-and-roll memorabilia, has filed a lawsuit against renowned photographer Ross Halfin and his business, RHP Ltd. Halfin was served in December 2024 while he was in Northern California to attend the wedding of Metallica’s Kirk Hammett.
The case, brought before the Circuit Court of Lake County, Illinois, centers on allegations of misrepresentation and fraud concerning four Lynyrd Skynyrd photographs sold by Halfin.
Wagner claims the photographs, presented as Halfin’s original works, were not taken by Halfin. Instead, three of the four purchased images were allegedly the work of another photographer, Barry Plummer, while the origin of another remains unknown. The photographs depict iconic moments tied to the band’s history from their 1975 and 1976 performances.
Key details from the complaint include:
Wagner purchased the prints for over $7,300, enticed by Halfin’s claims that they were authentic, high-value images of which he was the photographer.
The complaint alleges that Halfin defrauded Wagner by sending cropped contact sheets to obscure Plummer’s credit as the original photographer.
The complaint further alleges Halfin signed each photo as his own, despite not being the photographer who captured the images.
Iain Monk, an expert on Lynyrd Skynyrd photography working for Rufus Publications confirmed the discrepancies, leading Wagner to file the lawsuit after learning the truth.
Documents of evidence can be found below:
During the course of their research, Wagner and Monk determined that one color image titled “Nuthin Fancy 1975” was taken by an unknown photographer, but sold by Ross Halfin. The peculiar thing is that Halfin himself has said in interviews that the first band he shot was AC/DC at the Marquee in London in 1976.
Adding to the intrigue, Wagner alleges Halfin requested he refrain from posting the prints online to avoid scrutiny. Wagner seeks compensatory damages, legal fees, and punitive damages, asserting that the value of the photographs hinges on their authenticity and provenance.
An initial court hearing on January 6th was continued to February 3rd at which time it will be determined if the lawsuit will continue in small claims court or be transferred due to the total amount of damages.
This case highlights the high-stakes nature of the rock memorabilia world, where the provenance of collectibles often defines their worth. For fans of Lynyrd Skynyrd and collectors in general, the unfolding legal battle between Wagner & Halfin shows the importance of going the extra mile in verifying claims in the art and memorabilia world.
So disappointing! Integrity in photography is so important. I want to see how this all turns out.