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Billy NameIconic photographer, director and lighting designer
Date of Birth: 22.02.1940
Country:  USA |
Biography of Billy Name
Billy Name, born William Linich in 1940 in Poughkeepsie, New York, was a renowned photographer, director, and lighting artist. He began his career as a lighting technician in a theater in the early 1960s. During this time, he also worked as a waiter at 'Serendipity 3' restaurant, where he first met Andy Warhol in 1959. Billy joined Warhol's famous Factory in 1964 and became known as Billy Name.
Billy lived at the Factory and set up his own photo lab in a small room next to the bathroom. It was in this room that he created numerous cult works of the Warhol Studio, including photographs, films, and collages. His photographs captured scenes of film production at the Warhol Factory and are now important documents of the pop art era.
Billy remained at the Factory until 1970, during which time he captured the essence of the bohemian atmosphere and the eccentricities of Warhol's Superstars. His skill as a lighting technician gave the photographs an unexplainable charm. He illuminated the likes of Nico, Viva, Jasper Johns, Taylor Mead, Brigid Berlin, and Gerard Malanga. He also documented the famous film 'Chelsea Girls' and the presence of Ondine, Paul Morrissey, and many other stars and guests of the Factory.
Billy also made appearances as an actor and contributed to the creation of several films. He served as the archivist of the Factory, preserving its history and legacy. After leaving the Factory, Billy became interested in Eastern religions and astrology. He shaved his head and switched to a diet of rice flakes.
It was Billy who discovered Warhol after the infamous shooting incident involving radical feminist Valerie Solanas. He found Warhol lying on the floor in a pool of blood and cried beside him. Despite the tragic event, Billy managed to move on and collaborate with Shepard Fairey.
In 2001, the United States Postal Service used one of Billy's photographs for a stamp featuring Andy Warhol's portrait.
