Leee Black Childers, a photographer whose work captured the vibrancy and decadence of the New York scene of the '70s, died on Sunday (April 6) after a three-week stay in a Los Angeles hospital. The cause of death is currently unknown.

Childers was an assistant at Andy Warhol's Factory, which gave him access into the burgeoning punk world. He took some famous early shots of such names David Bowie, Lou Reed and Debbie Harry of Blondie, as well as the collection of lost souls who congregated around such legendary haunts as Max's Kansas City and the Chelsea Hotel. A slideshow of some of his photos can be found at the Huffington Post.

In addition, he served as a tour manager for Bowie during the 'Ziggy Stardust' tour, and performed a similar role for Iggy and the Stooges and Johnny Thunders and the Heartbreakers.

In 2012 he published 'Drag Queens, Rent Boys, Pick Pockets, Junkies, Rockstars and Punks,' which collected his most famous shots and the stories behind them. An exhibit of his work under that same title is currently on display at Lethal Amounts in Los Angeles, the first time he has had a showing in that city in 25 years. It runs through April 19.

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