Fascinating Vintage Photos of Famous Figures Taken by Fred W. McDarrah

Fred W. McDarrah was the first staff photographer at The Village Voice, and an essential chronicler of the Beat Generation and counterculture movements from the 1960s. With his unique ability to capture liquid moments, it appeared that McDarrah was always in the right place at the right time, and musicians, actors, royals and politicians were no exception.

Here are 31 fascinating photographs of celebrated figures taken by McDarrah from the 1960s to the 1980s:

Andy Warhol lines up a shot through the viewfinder of a 16mm Bolex camera during the filming of 'Taylor Mead's Ass' at his studio, The Factory, New York, September 5, 1964.

Bob Dylan at 7th Avenue and Christopher Street, with Village Voice journalist Jack Goddard and friend Victor Maymudes, New York, January 22, 1965.

The crowded dining room at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York, April 1965. Attending a performance of the Royal Ballet, and seated around the center table are United States Senator Robert F. Kennedy, Jackie Kennedy, composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein, Margo Nichols and her husband, film director and comedian Mike Nichols, Ethel Kennedy, and actor Peter Lawford.

The Beatles, from left Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney, John Lennon, and George Harrison, answer questions at a press conference in the Warwick Hotel, New York, August 22, 1966.

Al Pacino speaks from the stage after receiving the Obie Award for Best Actor for his performance in Israel Horovitz's 'The Indian Wants the Bronx' at the Village Gate, New York, May 25, 1968.

Dustin Hoffman stands with onlookers on a smoke-filled street as firefighters battle the flames from an explosion in the basement of 18 West 11th Street, New York, March 6, 1970. Hoffman own house was next door to the explosion, caused by the accidental detonation of a bomb during its construction, resulted in three deaths.

Lauren Bacall smiles broadly as she attends a fashion event, New York, September 25, 1971.

Dennis Hopper and author Terry Southern talk on the front steps of the Chelsea Hotel (222 West 23rd Street), New York, September 30, 1971.

American dermatologist and former US Army doctor Howard Levy, comedian and social activist Dick Gregory, Canadian actor Donald Sutherland, and American actress and political activist Jane Fonda backstage at an anti-Vietnam War rally, New York, October 12, 1971.

John Lennon and Yoko Ono sit on the grass and leans against a tree, September 16, 1972. They were gathered for a memorial 'Celebration of life' in honor of 'Action Theatre' founder Kenneth Dewey, who had recently died in a plane crash.

Bette Davis speaks to from the stage at Town Hall as part of the Legendary Ladies of the Silver Screen lecture series, New York, February 4, 1973.

Josephine Baker, New York, December 27, 1973.

Muhammad Ali grinning broadly, as he stands outside next to a woman, December 9, 1974.

Divine at the theatrical premiere of the film 'Female Trouble,' New York, February 12, 1975.

David Bowie attends the 17th Grammy Awards at the Uris Theater, New York, March 1, 1975.

The Rolling Stones announce their 'Tour of the Americas '75' with a performance on a flatbed truck on 5th Avenue, New York, May 1, 1975.

During the production of the film 'Taxi Driver,' film director Martin Scorsese speaks to Jodie Foster and Robert De Niro in a cafe on 3rd Avenue and East 13th Street, New York, July 25, 1975.

Marisa Berenson and Berry Bereson pose together at a Rizzoli fashion show, New York, December 2, 1975.

At the Ziegfeld Theatre, Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly attend the premiere of the film 'That's Entertainment, Part II,' which they co-host. New York, May 10, 1976.

Mel Brooks leans across a couch and laughs during an interview, New York, July 7, 1976.

Queen Elizabeth II shops at Bloomingdale's during her visit to New York, July 10, 1976.

Faye Dunaway at a pre-release press conference about her film 'Network,' New York, November 7, 1976.

Grace Jones adjusts a close-fitting cap while at the nightclub Studio 54, New York, December 29, 1977.

Diane Keaton attends the New York Film Critics Circle awards ceremony, New York, January 29, 1978.

Sting attends a premiere party for the film 'Quadrophenia' at the Mudd Club, New York, October 30, 1979.

Rock Hudson, December 16, 1980.

At the Village Voice's annual OBIE Awards, Meryl Streep received a Performance award for her role in 'Alice in Concert,' New York, June 1, 1981. Seated behind her are the event's co-hosts Kevin Kline and Sigourney Weaver; Kline also won a Performance award for 'The Pirates of Penzance.'

Michael Caine and Sylvester Stallone on either side of their co-star, soccer player Pele. at the premiere party for their film 'Victory,' New York, July 16, 1981.

Ben Kingsley attends the New York Film Critics Circle awards ceremony at Sardi's restaurant, New York, January 30, 1983.

Sam Shepard and Jessica Lange attend the New York Film Festival, New York, September 29, 1984.

American magazine publisher Jann Wenner talks with John Travolta and Jamie Lee Curtis, stars of the film 'Perfect,' May 29, 1985.