In 1968 I landed a summer job with the Chicago Tribune, shooting the Democratic Convention Chicago Riots. My first music assignments were Jefferson Airplane, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Jopin and Cream.
In 1970 I moved to Boston. I started working with Aerosmith in 1973 and with Boston in 1976, relationships that have lasted 30+ years. I also linked-up with Elton John, Queen, Liza Minelli, J.Giels Band, The Cars, Meatloaf & Ted Nugent, doing album, publicity and tour photography.
At the same time I was doing assignment work for Rolling Stone Magazine, Creem, Circus and Hit Parader, as well as CBS, Epic & WEA record labels.
However, as the music scene became more corporate, I broadened my photographic interests. Getting access to bands became too restrictive and copyright issues became a thorny problem. Nonetheless, the biggest thrill is still shooting live concerts. There is nothing as rewarding as capturing a split second of high energy, be it Springsteen, Jagger or a new club band. I was lucky to have had the full access that I did in the early, “golden days” of rock photography, when the MUSIC was the bottom line.
