As a pop star he traversed genres of psych rock, easy listening, jazz, disco, electronic and classical. One might even argue that he was the father not only of Western Classical music, but of the “Peacock Revolution” in 1960s men’s fashion as well. He certainly wore the ruffled sleeve well. 

Many of these pop portraits played on the irony of the stoic, lofty genius engaging in pedestrian, if not “earthy,” activities, with liner notes and ad copy reminding us of his 1705 street brawl, his month in jail, his alleged choirloft canoodling, and especially his virility.