RICHARD AVEDON (1923-2004)

'Early this year we asked Richard Avedon - one of the world's greatest photographers - to cover America's bicentennial election. Our original idea was to publish a chronicle of the campaign - the candidates and the Conventions - from beginning to end.

Shortly after accepting our commission, Mr. Avedon called to say that there was more to the election then met the eye; that the real story was not simply the candidates, but a broad group of men and women - some of whom we had never heard of before - who constitute the political leadership of America.'

Editor's Introduction, Rolling Stone, October 21, 1976