Rolling Stones

In 1978, when the Rolling Stones came to Chicago, I was offered access to the show. When I arrived, I was told that I could shoot the opening acts, but not the Stones. Big disapointment, but when I was back in the catering area Mick Jagger sat down a few feet away, and I grabbed a nice photograph. Things would get much better as my career with the Stones continued!

In 1979, Ron Wood put out a solo record called the New Barbarians, and on April 30th, 1979 he and his band came to Chicago to play. My access greatly increased as I got to shoot the entire night. This photograph is my favorite from the night.

October 1st, 1981 and November 24th, 1981 in Rockford and Chicago, Illinois. In October of 1981, a radio station in Rockford started a call in campaign to get the Stones to come play there on their tour. They complied on October 1st! They then came back to Chicago in November to play a show in a bigger market.

Mick Jagger in Chicago (top)

Keith Richards in Rockford (bottom)

July 13th, 1985 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The American half of the Live Aid concert took place at Veteran’s Stadium. The finale of the 12 hour concert was a set by Mick Jagger with Tina Turner, followed by a set by Bob Dylan, accompanied by Ron Wood and Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones.

June 7th, 1986 amd October 16th. 1986 in Chicago and St. Louis, Missouri. In June of 1986, Keith Richards (Musical Director) and Taylor Hackford (Director) came to the Chicago Blues Festival to meet with Chuck Berry to discuss the filming of his biopic “Hail! Hail! Rock ‘n’ Roll.” After meeting backstage, Chuck took the stage and Keith couldn’t resist joining him for a few songs.
In October of 1986, the movie was filmed at the Fox Theater in St. Louis (Chuck’s hometown). The cast of characters included Linda Ronstadt, Etta James, Joe Walsh and many others including Eric Clapton (shown here).

September 22nd, 1987 in New York City. I was assigned by the Chicago Sun Times to travel to NYC to photograph Keith to accompany an article about his first solo album “Talk is Cheap.” While I was setting up, I heard Keith tell the writer that he would be touring in November to support the album. So when I made prints for the Sun Times, I made another set and mailed them to Keith’s manager with a note included asking if they need a tour photographer. The answer was yes, and I soon embarked on a decade of touring with Keith and the Stones.

When I made the prints, I didn’t notice Keith’s finger. It was pointed out to me a year later!!

Fall of 1988, I joined Keith Richards and the Xpensive Winos on the Talk is Cheap Tour. Coast to coast with the coolest guy in Rock and Roll and his great band.

Fall of 1989, I joined The Rolling Stones on their Steel Wheels Tour, at that time it was to be the biggest tour in music history. I had complete access, backstage, onstage, on the plane, at the hotel. I was supposed to be on the tour for a month, but they liked me and “made me” stay for 3 1/2 months. It wasn’t hard to talk me into it!!!

There were many unbelievable backstage moments, such as when Bruce Springsteen and his wife Patty showed up and I was asked to introduce them to the Stones and take their picture with them.