As I get older it becomes increasingly distressing to read about people that I knew passing away. This week, I read about two really cool people passing away.
In November of 1990, I was assigned by Time Magazine to do a portrait photo of John Hughes. At that point, he had already written and directed a bunch of very successful films, including Sixteen Candles,The Breakfast Club, Weird Science, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and Planes, Trains & Automobiles. He was directing the film Curly Sue in an empty floor of the Leo Burnett building in downtown Chicago. All the way downtown, I kept thinking- “Movie director- he is going to be very difficult.” I couldn’t have been more wrong! He was extremely gracious, stopping work on the film to give me the time I needed.
The photos were used in many places over the rest of his life, and every time I would see him around town, he would always comment on the fact that my photos kept him looking young- even though he always looked exactly the same!
In 1977, a new band just signed to Capitol Records came to town. Fronted by lead singer Willy DeVille, Mink Deville should have been a major force in the music business. Willy was an amazing singer with a charismatic stage personality, and was one of the nicest people you would ever want to meet offstage. I would try to see them whenever they came to town, and Willy always had a good word and a great smile!
They will both be missed.