I started out my career photographing concerts exclusively, I soon realized that this didnt give me any control over the final product, as I could not control the poses, the lighting or the setting. I was photographing whatever happened in front of me. While this was rewarding, it was not exactly what I was trying to accomplish, So I started requesting access to photograph the artists in an offstage setting. Here are some of the results.
On assignment for the Chicago Sun Times, this was the first time I met Keith Richards. I was so unnerved by him that I did not notice him giving me the finger. Even after developing the film- I did not see it on the contact print! It was noticed a year later by someone looking at the contact print.
Robyn was always a great subject, showing intensity and drama with his hands around his face.
I set up a quick photo shoot with Erykah. She wanted to do it after her show, so about three quarters of the way through her show, I went backstage and set up a background and two lights. When she walked into the room, she looked around, and without saying a word, sat down in a perfect position for her face to catch the light.
This photograph was taken backstage at a music festival in the infield of a racetrack. The room was very small and I had to lay on the floor with the camera resting on the floor. This provided the perfect vantage point to capture his wonderful socks
I try to find interesting and unique locations to do my portraits. Sometimes that is impossible in the venue. So there is always an empty semi trailor at the loading dock that makes for a great mini studio. Adding my light into the background makes for some interesting shadows.
This image was taken for a book I was working on on the history of the Farm Aid movement. After treating us (the writer and me) to some organic doughnuts, Dave took us out to his yard for a quick photo shoot.
I took the band out in the alley behind the club. They were not really interested in being photographed and seemed kind of bored, so to make something interesting out of the situation I got down on my stomach in the middle of the alley. As a joke, I told the band that if I had to lay down in the dirt, they should do the same. To my surprise, they did!
During his first headlining tour, I was assigned to do a "Day in the Life" story. I met him at the small airport where his plane landed, and when the door of the plane opened, I saw the perfect composition for my photograph.
My assignment was to illustrate what government censorship (labeling of recorded music) would do to musicians. I purchased three rolls of tape before leaving home- red, white and blue. When I arrived at his house, he was sitting down to watch "Raising Arizona." He offered me an ice cream bar from the freezer and we watch the movie. During the movie, I ripped a small piece from each of the rolls of tape and put them together. When the movie was over, I handed him the tape and asked him to place it over his mouth, not knowing if he would agree. Luckily, he thought it was a great idea.
For the same assignment as the Ice Cube session, I stopped at a store and purchased a carton of milk and a box of Vanilla wafers on the way to the shoot with Frank to show how vanilla his music would become if the government would censor him.
A portrait taken in his hotel room during a series of press interviews.
An assignment for a country music magazine. I thought it fitting to bring a black background for the "Man in Black." He was one of the most gracious subjects I have ever photographed.
This photograph was taken while we were waiting for BB King to arrive. It was a great opportunity to photograph the two Kings together, but the individual images were the stars of the shoot.
This photograph was taken before her first show in Chicago. She always remembers that I showed an interest from the beginning and we have remained friendly to this day.
This photograph was taken backstage at a televfision show I was working on. I went out to dinner with the band the night before and we had a great time. They loved being photographed and did not need much in the way of direction.
