Outtakes: Capturing the True Henry Rollins Beyond the Rage

An intimate look at Henry Rollins' raw strength and sorrow during a photo shoot following tragedy.

In December 1991, just as the holiday cheer was fading, I found myself preparing for a photoshoot with Henry Rollins. We all knew him as the fiery punk poet with an unrelenting intensity—a man who embodied rage and strength like no other. But I wanted to peel back that well-known exterior and reveal something deeper, more human beneath the hardened surface.

Desolation. (Photo by Loren Haynes)

A Harrowing Night Before the Shoot

The photo session was slated for a few days after Christmas, but on December 19th, tragedy struck. Henry and his closest friend and roommate, Joe Cole, were returning home from a Hole concert in Venice, California. Just outside their house, they were ambushed by two armed men.

One of the gunmen warned Henry sternly, “If you yell or scream, I will blow your head off.” Ever fierce, Henry answered coolly, “Okay.”

What happened next would forever haunt the punk community. As Henry unlocked the front door, a terrifying sense washed over him—he feared they would be executed inside. Then came the sound of a struggle, a gunshot rang through the night. Joe Cole was shot in the face and tragically killed. Miraculously, Henry bolted through the house and escaped out the back, sprinting until he found a phone to dial the police.

When the authorities arrived, they detained Henry first. His desperate question about Joe was met with cold finality: “He’s dead.”

The Unbreakable Rollins

You might expect that such trauma would cancel any plans, especially a photo shoot scheduled a few days later. Yet, Henry didn’t waver or back down. Here was a man who wasn’t just playing a role — this was real toughness and discipline shining through the darkest of days.

I realized the challenge for me wasn’t just to capture Henry’s usual fiery persona, but to navigate the raw pain and resilience pulsing beneath it.

Breaking the Ice Through Loss

The day before our shoot, LA Weekly published an obituary for Joe Cole, written poignantly by Henry himself. I decided to include this in one of the shots — Henry holding the obituary, a somber testament to the fresh grief he carried.

This became a turning point. The image rippled with unspoken emotion, breaking the ice and allowing us to move past the surface. We weren’t just creating portraits of a punk rock icon. We were documenting a man grappling with heartache, channeling it into his art.

Behind the Lens on Photo Day

How was Henry on the day of the shoot? Honestly, I can only guess at the depths of his feelings. But what I witnessed was a man showing up, fiercely committed to doing what he needed to do.

I captured the classic “angry and strong” Henry we all expected. But then, gradually, the camera caught something more vulnerable: the pain, loss, and authenticity of a man who refused to be crushed by tragedy.

One photo from that day, never before published, tells the entire story in a single frame—a quiet, powerful testament to the complexity of Henry Rollins.

The Dark Aftermath

Sadly, the killers were never caught. The sense of justice remained elusive, but Henry’s spirit endured, forging ahead with an unbreakable will that fans have come to admire deeply.

The story of that shoot is more than just portraits; it’s a snapshot of resilience, grief, and raw humanity behind the tough exterior. It reminds us that even the toughest rock stars carry wounds we might never see.

FAQ

• What made Henry Rollins agree to the photoshoot so soon after the tragedy?
  Henry’s immense discipline and commitment to his craft outweighed the horror he had just experienced. Showing up was part of his way to cope and move forward.
• Who was Joe Cole to Henry Rollins?
  Joe Cole was Henry’s closest friend and housemate. Their bond was deep, making his loss all the more devastating.
• Why include the obituary in the photoshoot?
  Holding the obituary was a poignant way to visually express Henry’s grief and loss without words, adding emotional depth to the shoot.
• Were the assailants ever found?
  No, the killers were never caught, leaving the case unresolved.
• How does this photoshoot differ from other images of Henry Rollins?
  Unlike typical photos that showcase his anger and punk persona, this session revealed raw vulnerability and emotional complexity rarely seen.

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