Jimmy Webb died today Tuesday, April 14, 2020 at the age of 62 after battling cancer. Jimmy is survived by the rock-n-roll family. Instagram and Twitter feeds blew up with emotion and anecdotes of his love, energy, and kindness. Jimmy wasn’t a musician, he was a fashion icon in New York Cities East Side working at the famous boutique “Trash and Vaudeville” and later at his own shop “I Need More”, named after an Iggy Pop song. Webb coined the phrase, “It’s not rock and roll if your pants don’t hurt”. Vogue called him “Reigning mayor of St. Marks Place” and “Punk rocks official shop keeper”.
Jimmy Webb was from Wynantskill, New York. He quit school and ran away from home at 15 years old. The owner of Trash and Vaudeville, Ray Goodman hired Jimmy who later became the face and energy of the shop known to outfit the punk rock community and other counter cultures.
Many iconic rock stars over the years stuck with Jimmy from “Trash and Vaudeville” to “I Need More” for fashion inspiration. Outfitting Joan Jett, Myles Kennedy, Slash, Sebastian Bach, Duff McKagan, Alice Cooper, Nita Strauss, Ace Frehley, Blondie, and of course Iggy Pop to name a few. From selling Cuban-heeled boots and animal prints to bondage pants, Jimmy wrapped the stars to look cool on stage.
I have never met Jimmy Webb, and frankly until today didn’t know of his existence, but what I do know is the outpouring from the music world is real. These artists know an original and a genuine human being, so I take notice.
He once said he would like to be stuffed by a taxidermist and put in the corner of his shop with a pull string so he could forever say, “tighter, tighter, those pants need to be tighter”. Jimmy Webb was eccentric, warm, and loving. He was a kind soul and he will be missed by many. RIP Jimmy Webb.
Photographer and Editor/Founder of AllMusicMagazine.com. My love of live music has taken me to incredible experiences with the top bands of all time in stadium shows to the smallest venues with equally inspiring musicians. Using the medium of photography and my publication, these memories will last forever.
