There is a great article in the latest issue of Sports Illustrated. It is excerpted from “Relentless: The Stories Behind the Photographs” by the legendary sports photographer Neil Leifer, arguably the best that ever held a camera in the sports world..
A lot of the stories are funny stories about elaborate practical jokes he played on other photographers and writers, but there are a few that can easily translate to the music world.
He was asked to go to Moscow in 1961 to photograph a USA-USSR track and field meet. When he got there he presented a letter to the guard, signed a sheet of paper next to his name, and was presented with an armband as a credential. He was told to return it when the meet was done, as they used the same armband for every event. As he collected all of his credentials, he tucked it into his camera bag and came home. (He was 19 at the time and saw no problem with that). In 1963, he again flew to Moscow to cover that years meet. When he handed the same guard his letter, he was given a one work answer- Nyet. The guard then pulled out the paperwork from two years earlier, and showed where he had not returned his credential!! Only because he was working for Sports Illustrated was he allowed a new credential, which he returned when the meet was finished.
This makes me think of the way photographers are treated these days at most big concerts. You are not even given a credential. You are herded to the area that you are to shoot from, and then herded out of the building when your allotted time is up. God forbid you shoot a photo after the first three songs! I have always collected credentials- especially from the really big shows. That will never happen again in our world.
He also talks about how he gained access when he started out at age 16. Ay Yankee Stadium, they had a ramp where they rolled wheelchair bound army veterans out on to the field, and lined them up along the outfield wall, So Neil volunteered to help the veterans, camera under his coat. Once they were all settled, most of the volunteers disappeare3d into the stands to find a seat and watch the game. Not Neil. He stayed on the field and avoided security, although at times he would fetch coffee for the guards and they would look the other way while he worked.
I remember that when I started I made a point of befriending as many security guys as I could. (I am still friends with a lot of them today). They are much more important to know than any band manager, as they control access!
So I am proud that my career took some “sort of” similar paths as a legend in the business!! (and I still have a great collection of passes from cool shows.)