After all these years, what made you want to release a
book of your brilliant work now?
I felt the time was right. We sold 130 books at
the first book signing at the Morrison Hotel Gallery; I guess I was
right.
When you were photographing these iconic bands, did you
know they would go on to be legends? Was it the aura about them
that you knew they would explode?
Yes, it was their music, their personalities and
their commitment to being around for decades.
Who was your favorite to photograph?
The Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan.
Who was the most difficult to capture?
At first, Bob Dylan.
Your photos are exactly what Keith Richards says in the introduction of the book, you “Capture the moment.” What
advice do you give to novice photographers on how to capture those
moments?
Either you have it or you don't; if you don't,
then teach.
Some of the most amazing moments in the history of
music you have taken. From Springsteen speaking with Bob Dylan to
Kiss with their parents to The Beatles getting off the Pan Am
flight. Which one of all the moments you have grabbed is your favorite and
why?
One of my favorite moments was being the only one
in the room when Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen met for the first
time.
Did you always want to be a rock and roll photographer?
How did you get involved with the acts?
I wanted to be a photographer who did everything;
I liked the diversification of doing music, sports, politics, etc. It was all thanks to Bill Graham, the rock
promoter.
Elvis, The Beatles, The Doors, Rolling Stones, Dylan.
The heroes of rock and roll, you have worked with them all. Do you
ever sit back and laugh all these years later and go “oh my God, this
was my life?”
Yes. Every time I look at the photos and hear
their music, I always have to pinch myself and say "Did I really
take those? Was I really there?"
What was it like shooting The Beatles? Having that
electricity and energy of the fans and buzz around them?
I was a very young photographer and they were the
first big band that I photographed. To see the outpour at their
arrival in New York, and the crowds around the hotel and the Ed Sullivan
Show was
unbelievable. Who knew that this was the beginning of a
major change in music.
What band or artist took you by the most surprise?
The Rolling Stones.
When you were shooting bands, the scene and sound was
very dangerous, much different than it was today. Are you
surprised that many of the musicians all did not end up a tragedy?
Yes, sadly we lost Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison and
Jimi Hendrix; yet there were many other bands that did survive
the drugs and are still around today.
Do you miss the dangerous times of rock and roll?
Yes, it was a dangerous time, yet very exciting.
What band of today would you like to work with?
There are a couple; Pearl Jam, Arcade Fire and
Coldplay.
Many of the photographs in the book take place in New
York and the greater New York area. What is your favorite story that
you would like to share about shooting someone in the city?
I was assigned to do a cover story on Mick Jagger
for a British publication. At the time, Mick had a home on the
upper west side. I went over to his home and started photographing.
Mick was avid about working out, so I first began to photograph him
with his trainer, then running in Riverside Park. I then
photographed him walking through Central Park and then lunch at a Japanese
restaurant. Mick was then invited down to Andy Warhol's factory and I
had the chance to photograph the two of them together. The whole
day it was just Mick and I; no publicists, no agents or body guards.
Just a day in the life of Mick Jagger in New York City.
