R&B

April 18, 1985 in Chicago. Aretha was one of the greatest voices of my generation. It was always a pleasure to photograph her. This was taken at a television taping for a special on the “Queen of Soul.”

September 4th, 1983 in Rosemont, Illinois. Diana is one of the greatest show-biz performers alive. She knows how to combine great lighting, great sound, a great voice and that smile to leave everyone happy.

June 12th, 2004 in Chicago. Mavis has always been one of my idols. So when Alligator Records signed her to a record deal, I knew I was in for a treat. They brought her over to my studio, where she sat in front of the camera for three hours, singing gospel songs to me as I shot picture after picture! This is the only time in my life that I asked to have my picture taken with the subject when we were through!

May 10th, 1983 in Chicago. I photographed Marvin for the first and only time less than a year before his passing. It was awe-inspiring to hear him perform, and I wish I could have photographed him many more times.

May 15th, 1987 in Chicago. I was offered the opportunity to do a photo shoot with Al Green, and I jumped at the chance. I went to his hotel, called him from the lobby, and he said “Come on up.” I arrived at his room and there he was- no handlers- just Al and his trademark smile. The rest was magic.

August 31st, 1986 in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. I first met Whitney when she was in town for a record release party, where I photographed her with about 50 radio and record store employees. We kept up a conversation about how this is what you have to do to become famous. A few years later, she was, indeed famous and I spent a couple of nights out in the suburbs photographing her each night in front of 20,000 people. Boy, did she grow up fast.

June 12th, 1984 in Rosemont, Illinois. I was getting some great photographs of Lionel when he raised the stakes, picked up a saxophone and brought June Pointer out to sing with him! Magic.

August 10th, 1997 in Tinley Park, Illinois. The frst time I met her. My shoot was scheduled for after her set, so I set up and waited. She walked out, saw where my lights were set up, and sat down in the perfect position for my lighting. I didn’t have to say a word to her during the shoot- she just moved with the flow and every shot was great!

April 19th, 1988 in Rosemont, Illinois. This photograph was taken on Michael’s “Bad” tour. Every moment of the show was a possibility for a great picture- this was just one of them.

August 2nd, 1984 in Chicago. There is a small venue near my house that used to book people on the way up and on the way down. I had access to go there anytime I wanted to. I read in the paper that Tina was going to play there and thought- definitly on the way down, but it couldn’t hurt to go photograph her. So off I went to see one of the greatest shows of my life, in a half empty small venue. A year later- boy, how things changed.

April 1st, 1985 in Rosemont, Illinois. One of the great singers of a generation, Luther was always a joy to photograph.

October 13th, 1978 in Chicago. This photograph was taken at a party celebrating Pride Week in Chicago. Grace was just as uninhibited as the audience- I felt like I was standing in the eye of a hurricane while I was shooting.

June 26th, 1983 in Chicago. “The Hardest Working Man in Show Business” earned the title. Even at the end of his career he never stopped moving during an amazing performance.