You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover?

Been busy the past few weeks on some design jobs (read: income) for the Berlin Film Festival. Now that they're officially done and gone, I'll try and find some time to put them in the Design section of my newly updated website. I haven't put any new movie posters up there for at least a couple of years.

The good news is...I have kept to my personal promise to work on Everybody I Shot Is Dead every single day. It's amazing how a little bit each day adds up. And keeping it on the front burner keeps my head in the game.

One thing that has been running around my brain since the very beginning is "What am I going to put on the cover?" Although, sometimes the question would start with the word "Who." But early on I decided putting one person on the cover wouldn't be fair to the musicians left off. What about putting everybody on the cover? I think it would be too cluttered. And, if you want your book to stand out against the thousands of books displayed on the store shelves, a cluttered cover is not the best idea.

I've been playing around with a few different ideas over the past few months. At one point, I thought I might make the book the same size as an LP and put a full-size photo of a record on the front. Hey, I could even drill a little hole through the center of the book. An okay idea, but a record doesn't represent the total scope of Everybody I Shot Is Dead for me. It only speaks to the time frame and music aspect of the book. Probably a good cover for a music review book.

I've also scoured the bookstores and internet to see what adorns other rock 'n' roll photography books. Here's some of what I found:

Just found this last one:

Well, that completely nixes my record idea.

Then, a couple of weeks ago, I was messing with the cover (actually, adjusting it to a more manageable 10.5" x 12.75" size) when I locked on to something. I was just playing around with some freehand Photoshop drawing. And in about ten minutes time, I came up with a symbol that I really like. So much so that I think it's going to be the cover. If not the cover, it will be the logo.

I can't show it to you yet...it needs some tweaking and I need to render it as a finished hi res drawing. But as soon as it's done, I will unveil it here. And soon after that it will be everywhere, branding Everybody I Shot Is Dead as more than just another pretty title. (Please notice my tongue in my cheek).

Any chance I can get some of you to comment on this topic? I know it's a pain in the ass to go to the comments and fill in your name (or anonymous) and figure out the secret code, but it would be really helpful to get your feedback. I am wondering... Do you initially judge a book by its cover? How about movies? Do you judge them by the poster? How important is the cover of a book to you? Have you ever bought a book because you were initially attracted by the cover? And any other opinion you may have on the topic. Please chime away. The only stupid comment is the one you don't make.

I Love Surprises...

...well, at least good surprises.

I was rewriting my script all morning and then decided I better put some time in on the book so I could tick another "Write on Everybody" off my calendar.

I checked the photo list and realized I didn't have any Muddy Waters photos scanned or filed. Where the heck are my Muddy Waters shots? I know I only shot him in black and white, but to get to the black and white negs, I had to walk by the slide boxes. I currently have two file boxes with slides and a bunch of envelopes with internegs that were made to print for clients and my portfolio way-back-when.

I separated all my color slides and internegs of my dead musicians into the second box almost a year ago. Or so I thought. I also thought I had filed and scanned everything from the dead people box. Anyway, on my way to the black and whites, I stopped by the live box to rummage around. I was happy to find a few of my best shots of Elton John in an interneg envelope because I have no idea where the original slides are. Then I found an envelope with Eagles internegs, and was surprised to find a bunch of unmounted slides in there too. Yeah.

My shocking find was some internegs that belonged in the other box...Stanley Turrentine, more Hank Snow, more Downchild Blues Band. Then I looked in the second box. The dead people box that I thought was completely harvested. Nope. I found more Beach Boys slides - including 6 of Carl Wilson, a couple of group shots and what I hope is a cool shot from behind the stage of the audience holding up lit matches. I scanned it but haven''t looked at it yet. I also found 12 color shots of Tim Buckley. And last but not least...lucky 13 color slides of a very hot Waylon Jennings. I'll be posting one of those on Tuesday (his D-day), followed by Tim Buckley on Wednesday (his B-day) and my sweet Michael Bloomfield on Thursday (another D-day). (February is a crowded month with 7 birthdays and 7 deathdays)

Then I came across a file folder with all the articles I wrote for a small local paper. Very helpful in figuring out the exact dates of some of my shots, since they were articles about upcoming concerts. I had no writing experience when I wrote the them so they suck, but I'm thinking about including the ones of my dead guys in the book.

And there are two articles I am going to post next week (hopefully) about a band I shot twice. The first time was their very first tour. The band became very big and my articles are pretty interesting because of the time perspective.

Oh, I almost forgot. I never made it to the black and whites. I'm wondering if I'm avoiding my search for Muddy Waters, in case his shots are gone.

Malcolm Roberts

Another musician you are probably not familiar with - I admit when I first saw the sheet of unmarked slides I wondered if I'd shot Andy Gibb. Of course not, the age of my subject was all wrong.

Malcolm Roberts was a British singer with a couple of hits. Hey, he even had/has a fan club. And I shot him. So, he shall be honored in Everybody I Shot Is Dead. And here today, as it is the fourth anniversary of his untimely death.

Malcolm Roberts
3/31/44 - 2/7/03

Remember Carl Wilson

Nine years gone.

Carl Wilson

12/21/46 - 2/6/98

I so love The Beach Boys.

Alex Harvey Returns

On January 26, 2007, I scanned my 17 Alex Harvey slides. I knew his D-day and B-Day were coming up and I wanted to have a photo prepared. Then yesterday I put the tribute together for him to honor both days with one post.

Well, I guess he was feeling short-changed with only one post. He wanted both.

Here's what happened after yesterday's post...

When I watched the youtube video I posted I wondered (just briefly in passing) why I didn't have a shot of him in front of the Vambo wall. I distinctly remembered the show - all his theatrics but then I thought I must have missed it because I was shooting the guitar player. Oh well. At least I have pictures of him. In some cases I have few or none. (You have no idea how depressed I am about that).

This morning, I hit the office and decide to do some scanning while working on my script rewrite. I like it when I can multi-task. I check my list to see who I haven't scanned yet. Ah, Stanley Turrentine. I'm pretty sure there is a box of slides with his name on it in THE BOX. I look in THE BOX. There it is...a little slide case with a masking tape label that reads STANLEY TURRENTINE. Wait a second. What's this? Right next to Stanley? A bigger slide box that's labeled ALEX HARVEY. How can that be? I already scanned Alex's slides.

I pull the box out. Check the contents. Lo and behold, it's Alex Harvey. 19 more slides. How did those get there? And why did I happen to check THE BOX today? I haven't been in THE BOX for several weeks. I scan them. Here is one of the shots I thought I should have...


It's Alex Harvey's birthday today. And in true Alex Harvey fashion, he gave me a present. Thank you, Alex. I hope they're throwing you one helluva party up there.

The Sensational Alex Harvey

I'm guessing most of you have never heard of Alex Harvey. Can I see a show of hands?

And I'm wondering if anyone who reads this blog ever saw The Sensational Alex Harvey Band play live.

Anyone?

Well, he was sensational. Like nothing I'd seen before. The guy knew how to put on a show and he was sweet as can be to boot.

Like so many of the musicians I am paying tribute to in my book, Alex Harvey died in close proximity to his date of birth. Actually, I think his deathday and birthday are the closest. Today marks the 15th anniversary of his death, and had he lived, tomorrow would have been his 72nd birthday.

This is what he was doing at the Troubadour in late 1975...

February 5, 1935 - February 4, 1982

And since you probably haven't seen him live, here's a taste:



This is from the same tour I shot. I think he's even wearing the same shirt.

Happy Birthday, Terry

*Note: Practically giving away a TK print here.*

Terry Kath would have been 61 today.

Another Rockstar Gone

Rest in Peace, Barbaro.

Site Update

I spent a very long 12 hours today working on my company website. Hopefully, it's a better layout (not all that different) and more functional (there were many bad links).

I've updated all the pages, including the Starart page in preparation for the store. There are no bells and whistles because, as we all know, I am technically challenged. And I want a site I can update when I feel like it. Like today.

Last night I was really craving a large margarita and chicken tostada from Lucy's El Adobe and thought I might get over there today. Nope. I hope the site improvements are worth missing my dinner and my writing time.

If you have a chance, pop on over there and let me know if it's working for you. Criticisms are always welcome.

Chesher Cat

Terry Kath

*Note: Practically giving away a TK print here.*

I decided to honor the memory of Terry Kath with a group shot because that's how Chicago always presented themselves. I also like this photo because of the sunset sky and the spotlight on Terry. The lyrics below are from the first song Kath ever had recorded. And it's also the first song on their first album.

Terry Kath
1/31/46 - 1/23/78

Hey there everybody
Please don't romp or roam
We're a little nervous
'Cause we're so far from home
So this is what we do
Sit back and let us groove
And let us work on you

We've all spent years preparing
before this band was born
With heaven's help it blended
And we do thank the lord

Now we put you through the changes
And turned around the mood
We hope it's struck you different
And hope you feel moved
So forget about your troubles
As we search for something new
And we play for you

~Terry Kath ("Introduction" - Chicago Transit Authority, 1969)

I'll pull out a solo shot for his birthday next week.

Who Is It?

The photos are circa 1976. Any guesses?

Marc Klaas Project

This post is a re-pimping of my friend, John Miller, and relative, Tyler Chesher's important TV project. It's a reality show that follows Marc Klaas and his foundation in their search for missing children. Marc Klaas is the father of Polly Klaas, who was abducted from her bedroom and murdered in 1993 when she was only 12 years old.

Please click the youtube banner below to watch, rate and comment on the video. The more buzz we can create, the more likely the show will get on the air, and hopefully children will be saved. There are two videos; a short teaser called "Missing" and the main video called "The Marc Klaas Project".



Also, if you are a Myspace member, please click this banner to connect to their Myspace site. I'm just getting my own Myspace started, so I'm a little clueless on this part. I think they want to add you as a friend and have you add them. Also, Marc Klaas personally blogs on the site.



Thanks for your support.

Without You

Remembering the awesomely talented Harry Nilsson.

6/15/41 - 1/15/94

Everybody loved Harry.
No way around it.

I Feel Bad

Two weeks ago it was New Year's Eve. December 31, 2006.

December was when I faithfully started paying tribute to my dearly departed musicians on their birthdays and deathdays. In order to remember (don't forget, my brain is made of Swiss cheese), I mark them on my calendar a month in advance. Just like I put EISID as a to do item on every day. Here's what February looks like:

Even with all this, I still missed two tributes. One birthday and one deathday. On December 31st. And the only reason I realized my faux pas was because I was working on the book today so I could check off today's "Write on Everybody." I dipped into my 'To Scan' file and pulled out a set of negs. As I finished scanning all 34 photos, I had this haunting feeling. I looked him up on my list and kicked myself. He died on New Year's Eve. How did I miss putting that on my calendar?

I looked at my calendar. I didn't forget. His name was there, along with another musician - for his birthday. I don't know how I missed it. I'd like to say it was because I was out partying, but that would be a lie. I was here. On my computer. Just like I am now. Working.

Time to rectify my lapse. Two weeks late to the day. Better late than never? I hope so.

Both died in plane crashes. One on the other's birthday.

Rick Nelson

5/8/40 - 12/31/85

John Denver
12/31/43 - 10/12/97

A moment of silence for Rick and a Happy Birthday to John. Albeit, belated.

I miss you both.

A Moment of Silence

Maurice Gibb

12/22/49 - 1/12/03

Report Card

I am happy to report my simple plan is working. Every day since I initiated the simple plan, I have worked on EISID and Starart and My First Kiss. And there's a bonus. Working to the simple plan has inadvertantly impassioned all of my projects.

I had an appointment with a printer on Tuesday. Just thinking I should know how much EISID might cost to manufacture. It's always a good idea to design to a budget. Then, in reading my journals last weekend, I was reminded of the multitude of meetings I had with the New York publishers in regards to Starart. My interaction with the big houses was much more extensive than I had remembered. (I also didn't remember how much partying I did in New York - yikes, I could probably teach Brittany a thing or two.) Several publishers really wanted the book. Nice position to be in, right? Not always. I'd have the initial meeting and that person would pitch to the higher ups and I'd have another meeting. They'd do a cost and revenue projection and we'd have another meeting. Then they'd send me out of the room so they could talk amongst themselves. And, finally, they'd try and talk me into comprising the quality of the book so they could make a bigger profit. Uh, no.

That's why I ended up on my own. Contracting the printers, selling to the chains and wholesale distributors, running my own mail order and arranging my own publicity. In the short run, we made no money. But in the long run, the product was great and Starart has become a collector's item. Instead of some throwaway rock'n'roll book.

So, reliving my New York experiences ended up turning my trip to the printer into more of a "I think I want to publish this book myself" mission. I have used this particular printer in the past for my movie advertising work. He's I guy I like and trust. I showed him the Starart books and a couple of samples of other people's photography books. We both agreed it is much easier and cheaper to manufacture a high quality photography book today than it was when I did Starart. For starters, there are no more film separations. Which means there's also no stripping. And with this book, I don't have the expense of photographing all the artwork. Unfortunately, my printer doesn't haven't the capability to handle the size of this job. But he is currently researching other printers and will have referrals for me in a couple of days.

The night before I met with the printer, I happened to be at a trendy coffee house that has an equally trendy independent bookshop attached. I asked the bookstore owner/s (?) what size they preferred in the photography books they sell. It's a good question because some shops don't have room for the over-sized coffee table books. They were very helpful and eventually asked what I was doing. I told them about Starart and also pitched them Everybody I Shot Is Dead. They sparked to it instantly (yes!!) and said they'd definitely carry it. I told them I was thinking of self-publishing and asked if that would hinder their decision to stock the book. "Not at all."

The biggest 'pro' of doing the book myself is that I can get it out sooner. Finding a publisher and then getting into their release schedule is a long and arduous process. The biggest 'con' would be not having the publisher's money (advance and manufacturing $$) and their publicity machine working for me. But that doesn't deter me. I'm thinking the ability to publicize is also much easier today. I can hire a publicist (which I didn't do my first time around) and I have the internet (which didn't exist my first time around).

I can't believe reading the trials and tribulations of getting Starart out there hasn't deterred me from going down this road again. Actually, I'm jazzed. Ready and willing to meet more printers, put together a cost and revunue projection, write a business plan and look for an investor(s). If all goes as planned (meaning the little picture I'm projecting in my mind), the book will be finished and released in the Fall 2007.

Hey, it's never too early to put Everybody I Shot Is Dead on your gift list (hint, hint).

Synchronicity

...aka Ask and Ye Shall Receive.

After finishing yesterday's post, I went back into my journals. This time it was a book I started February 4, 1977. And there it was, on the bottom of the sixteenth page...the answer to the mysterious person I shot at the TV Variety show rehearsal. Not who I hoped it might be...actually I knew it wasn't because this guy would have been too old. They just look alike.

Anyway, the mystery singer is Malcolm Roberts. Still a mystery, right? For me, too. I had to google him. I'll throw a picture up and tell you more about him on February 2nd. Since that's the third anniversary of his death.

Oh, and to further prove my theory that my brain is made of Swiss cheese...I read the last paragraph of yesterday's post and it took me two minutes to figure out who I was referring to when I wrote, "I found some photos I took of a guy who looks an awful lot like another musician who is no longer with us. I kind of remember shooting him but I'm not 100% sure." Jeez.

A Simple Plan

I have so many projects on my plate. The new book, the old book, three film projects - one of which I am producing, a few graphic jobs...

Damn, it doesn't sound like much when I write it down that way. It must be the work within each project that creates the weight. For example, in the previous Starart post I listed some of the things I need to accomplish before the store site goes up. Still nowhere near completion, btw. The list for Everybody I Shot Is Dead is a hundred times longer, and so on and so on.

I am busy all day, every day (I have no life)...with seemingly no progress. That's been driving me crazy. Exhausted at the end of the day (meaning whenever I decide I have to nod) asking myself, "What did I accomplish?" Feeling something fell through the cracks. One of the balls hit the floor. And that ball always seems to be Everybody I Shot Is Dead. Or My First Kiss. Or...

A few days ago, I came up with a plan. A simple plan that any person with a modicum of organizational skill would have implemented in kindergarten. So, I'm a few years late. Okay, the plan. I use an electronic calendar that has a 'to do list' function. I put an item on it called "Write on Everbody" and then I selected the repeat every day option. In order to check it off each day I have to do something on the book...scanning, writing, designing or whatever. If I don't do something I can't check it off. And if I don't check it off it rolls over to the next day. Then there are two of them. So far, I've checked it off for the past two days. And I've already worked on the book today (but plan to do more tonight) so I'll check off another one.

It's both daunting and comforting to see that item on my calendar. On every square of every month for all eternity. It makes me want to get the book finished. Motivates me. Yesterday, I started looking through my old calendars (the pre-computer ones) in an effort to fill in the blanks of my past. I did 1977, then realized I had a second calendar for 1977.

Then I read one of my journals. It covered the first few months of 1979.


If you read this page you must be wondering what this could possibly have to do with Everybody I Shot Is Dead. I was actually in the gruelling stages of working on Starart that year. The Klaus mentioned is Klaus Voormann - one of the artists in Starart. Cynthia was his wife. Otto is their son. I was living at their house (in the basement, Kato-style). Keith was my very close friend Keith McKie . I had taken some promo pics of his new band while I was in Toronto looking at printers for Starart. Shadow was a former friend. The page is relevant to EISID. It identifies the date I shot one of the musicians. Harry Nilsson. He was one of the dinner guests.

I found another interesting story in those pages. It was an entry I made on January 19th. The story has stuck with me all these years. Every little detail. Emblazoned on my brain. Except the identity of the other person. I knew he was a musician but I couldn't have told you his name. Until now. Bruce Palmer. The bass player from Buffalo Springfield. He died of a heart attack in 2004. Even though I didn't shoot him, I'm 90% sure I'm going to put the story in EISID. Instead of a photo, maybe I'll draw a picture of him. Like I'll probably have to do for Canned Heat since I still haven't found my photos of them...even though I toured with them for three long weeks. Another story that needs to be told, with or without photos.

One more book accomplishment yesterday. I found some photos I took of a guy who looks an awful lot like another musician who is no longer with us. I kind of remember shooting him but I'm not 100% sure. I have a similar situation with another guy - I remember the shoot (it was a TV variety rehearsal) but I'm not sure on the singer. He looks eerily like the youngest brother G, but maybe not.

Sadly, my brain is made of Swiss cheese. Happily, I have calendars and journals.

Sneak Preview

In the next few weeks I will be adding an online store to my Chesher Cat website.

I know some of you are waiting for the Tom Waits photo[s]...sorry, I'm still researching the best way to handle the prints. In the meantime, I'm opening up the vault. Everything I have left from my book, Starart, is going up for sale. If you're not aware of Starart, it's a coffee table book of artwork done by six accomplished musicians: Joni Mitchell, John Mayall, Klaus Voormann, Ron Wood, George "Commander Cody" Frayne and Cat Stevens.

The book received really great reviews when it came out. Being that it is out-of-print, the book is now a sought after collector's item with only a few used copies of the regular hardcover book showing up online for as much as $499.



I have around 125 of regular hardcover books available. They are new books but there is slight wear on the covers from being in boxes and moved around over the past 25 years. I haven't decided on a starting price yet (I'm thinking $50) but the price will go up as the books sell. Only fair, since these are the only new copies available and once they're gone, they're gone. Which is why I'm giving my blog readers the heads up...before I advertise...and before I post on fan sites and message boards.

Did you notice I kept referring to the "regular" book? That's because I have another version of the book too. It looks like this:

It is leather-bound and comes in a case. It's printed on fine paper and is gold-gilded:

Oh...and it is numbered and hand-signed by the artists:

It is a Limited Edition of 300. I managed to keep some hidden away all these years. They are brand new and in perfect condition. Again, I will sell them in lots, with the price increasing as they sell. This is a very special collector's piece. Each of the artists own one. And so do a lot of their famous friends. The Limited Edition books will be expensive.

One more item. Or should I say six more items? By the third or fourth gallery show, we decided to run an edition of prints. One from each artists. And guess what? I held on to some. The prints are 16" x 20" (image size approx. 12.5" x 15.25"). We only printed 500 of each. Of those, 50 were numbered and signed by the artists (except Cat Stevens, as he had changed his name to Yusuf Islam), along with 10 Artist's Proofs. I have a limited number of signed (very few) and unsigned prints available.

These are the prints:

"Charlie Down In Mexico"
by Joni Mitchell

"Belushi On Plane Killers"
by Ron Wood

"Tushe"
by Klaus Voormann

"The Crew of the Memphis Belle"
by George "Commander Cody" Frayne

"Untitled"
by Cat Stevens

"Joni's Favorite"
by John Mayall

The retail site will also include a very cool 'viewing only' freebie. Never-before-seen video and audio clips of the artists. For example, under the picture of each print, there will be an audio clip of the artist describing the piece.

I'm trying really hard to get this up by January 15th (although it may not be functioning by then). This is a monumental effort - just like any other retail start-up - from designing the site, to the techno side of accepting credit cards, figuring out shipping, contracting a framer for the prints, digitizing audio/video tapes, editing, taking inventory, figuring out the logistics and on and on and on.

But once this is done, I'm thinking the Limited Editions of my photography prints won't be far behind.

(click on any of the images to enlarge)

Resolute

My New Year's post is over at My First Kiss.

But right here, right now, I want to thank each and every one of you who stop by to check out my pictures and incessant blathering.

I hope you'll stick around for 2007. I'm shooting to finish Everybody I Shot Is Dead finished this year. Reader encouragement is most appreciated.

This is dedicated...

Everybody I Shot Is Dead will be dedicated to four people. Although not musicians per se, all four are rock stars in their own right. And each of them played an important part in helping me realize my rock'n'roll dreams.

Today is the 12th anniversary of the death of one of my dedicatees. She was the coolest of the cool. She was also kind enough to save my ass on more than one occasion.

Maureen Starkey
8/4/46 - 12/30/94

I took this photo in 1977 by the lake at Friar Park. Yeah, that would be George Harrison's house in Henley-on-the-Thames. Of course, I'm saving the full story and more pictures for the book.

If you want to pay tribute to Maureen, pull out your Beatles White Album and listen to The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill. She sings back-up.

Dennis Wilson

He died 23 years ago today.

12/4/44 - 12/28/83

Listen to Good Vibrations and keep him in your thoughts.

Season's Greedies

Converting Sucks!

Last night I wrote a scathing post about the suckiness of Blogger because I've been having a shitload of trouble since I converted this blog over to the new version. I saved the scathing post as a draft to upload later today because I didn't want to take any focus away from Maurice Gibb's birthday post. Happy Birthday, Maurice!

But today, I finally solved the second biggest problem I was having...it had to do with editing my links, since my first huge problem was the disappearance of my access to my MY FIRST KISS blog (as in, I had no access to post...and still don't) and having recreated that blog over at Wordpress I needed to edit the link from here to there instead of the now dormant and inaccessable Blogger version. (nice grammatically structured sentence, Chesher) (thank you for noticing)

What did I learn today? There was another step to upgrading this blog that they neglected to point out. And their Help Center is not structured for people who think logically. But I am such a genius, I finally cracked their secret code and fixed the links on the sidebar. Yeah technically challenged me.

If you're too lazy to find the link over there, just click this one:

MY FIRST KISS

If you are one of my awesome readers that has linked to My First Kiss on your blog, please edit the link. And my apologies for the trouble. I'd post the move on the Blogger version of My Firsst Kiss, but I can't access it. Can't even delete the damn thing. I now know what it feels like to be tied up and ______ (fill in the blank). I hate Blogger.

Sorry for the rant and thanks for reading. I now return you to our regular broadcast.

Another Birthday

Happy 57th Birthday, Maurice!

12/22/49 - 1/12/03

We miss you.

Two Birthdays

Happy 60th Birthday, Carl!

Carl Wilson
12/21/46 - 2/6/98


Happy 66th Birthday, Frank!

Frank Zappa
12/21/40 - 12/4/93

Odd fact: Frank was born on Carl Wilson's birthday and died on Dennis Wilson's birthday.

HELP!!!

I'm going insane. Can someone help me? Please?

Several people contacted me saying they were having trouble posting comments on this blog. So, yesterday, I finally decided to switch the blog to the new version. Now Blogger requires me to sign in with my gmail account. No biggie. Except for some reason, I can't access my new blog. This blog is the only one that shows up on the Blogger Dashboard. When I try to sign in with my username for My First Kiss it sends me to window and signs me in under the gmail username and then opens up Everybody I Shot Is Dead.

If you are reading this and have any technical knowledge (read that as: if you happen to be a closet hacker), I am begging for your help. Pretty please. Don't want to out yourself in the comments section? Email me.

Hank Snow

May 5, 1914 - December 20, 1999

He's singing in heaven but his legacy on Earth is alive and well here.

Paul Butterfield

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PAUL

He would have been 64 today, December 17th.

Four things Paul Butterfield wants you to do to celebrate his birthday:

1. Crank up a Butterfield CD. Currently playing on my itunes: The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, East-West and Paul Butterfield's Better Days.

2. Visit his My Space site : Paul Butterfield (you can hear Born In Chicago there).

3. Join the Paul Butterfield Fund and Society yahoo group, run by Paul's son Gabe Butterfield and the lovely Salli Squitieri. They have lots of info for blues fanatics and do great work in the blues community.

4. Sign the petition to get Paul in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Ahmet Ertegun

Who knows where music would have been without him?

Ahmet Ertegun
1923-2006

Classroom In A Book

I just finished Lesson 1 of 13 in my Adobe GoLive Classroom in a Book. The book said Lesson 1 would take 2 hours. I think it took me 4. But that includes driving to Starbucks for a refill, checking email and watching TV. Focus problems here?

What made it even worse was that I should already know this program. After all, I built my company site for Chesher Cat Productions. Using GoLive. So, why am I finally going through the 13 lessons now? Well, first off, I haven't updated my site in so long I've pretty much forgotten how to do it. And secondly, I have internet plans that requires extensive web building knowledge. Like putting up video clips. And interactive secure purchasing features.

I was initially planning to hire someone to help out with my retail site but I didn't find anyone. As usual, I'm on my own. My once-a-week (now once-every-other-week since he got a job at the DGA) assistant has just about finished inventory on my Starart stash. The idea is to build a virtual Starart store and sell what's left of the stash. Lots of art prints. A few of the original books that were for sale in bookstores. And some of the Limited Edition leatherbound books that were numbered and signed by the artists. I also have someone digitizing my video and audio tapes from way back then - including my interviews with the artists I did for the text part of the book, my appearance on Merv Griffin (with Jay Leno sitting next to me) and a bunch of video with the artists from the gallery shows. These files will be edited into clips and posted on the Starart store site for your viewing and aural pleasure.

There will also be a virtual store for the Limited Edition series of my rock'n'roll photography (Tom Waits will be the initial offering). I'm still figuring out the best way to structure the releases - number of prints, sizes, etc. And, I'm doing the 13 lessons which will hopefully teach me how to set up the credit card deal and shipping info and all that other important technical stuff that I have no clue about. As it stands now, the Chesher Cat site is simple, simple, simple. Nothing moves. No bells and whistles. Just point and click. Quick and easy. And unaccommodating for my future endeavors. The rest of the lessons are supposed to take an hour each. Maybe I'll be done and building by Christmas.

Wish me luck. Or if you have any experience with retail sites and want to give me advice, I'm all ears. Really. Any and all input is appreciated.

Huh?

Can anybody explain this email I got today?

Dear blog author:

We recently came across your site, everybodyishotisdead.blogspot.com , while searching for bloggers who blog about the NBA.

A small group of us have started a new site called NBA Bloggers . Our intent is to bring basketball bloggers closer together, and make a positive contribution to the Internet community.

Would you be interested in joining NBA Bloggers ? Please take a few minutes to have a look at what we are trying to do, and if you are interested, there is a sign up page to get the ball rolling. We would greatly appreciate your support in this endeavour.

If you do not feel that your blog would be a good fit for NBA Bloggers but like to read about your favorite sports team, come visit us for some great content from our growing list of blog authors. You can also check our FAQ Section to learn more about NBA Bloggers

We look forward to hearing from you and seeing you on NBA Bloggers .


Craig Cantin
NBA Bloggers


Have I ever mentioned the NBA or basketball?

Um....no.

Oops. Until now.

Blue Oyster Cult - Backstage

These are the formerly lost but newly found BOC backstage photos as requested by new reader, Chris Baker. I could not deny him (I hope you are a guy, Chris). He's seen Blue Oyster Cult 70 times. Since I misidentified or could not identify the members of the band in the live shots, I'm counting on Chris to pick me up on these shots. Of course, then I'll edit the post so I don't look like such an idiot.

Okay...that's Eric Bloom on the right and Frank Gigliotti from CBS Records
on his left. Don't know who's on the far left.

Help me here, Chris.

Ummm...

...and...

Ha...I know this one...Eric Bloom being interviewed by Tom Harrison.
Can't remember who Tom was writing for then, but I hear he's still going
strong with the Vancouver Province. Check out that reel-to-reel he used.

Anybody know what Eric is showing Tom?

Sadly, crappy eats on the table.

I'm guessing he doesn't know who he is either.

Chris: If you can ID the girls you get bonus points.

And if you talk to Albert, I'd be interested to know if he remembers coming to my house. Hopefully, his memory is better than mine and he can fill me in on what really happened. Whoever was recording was also really happy we were on the final approach path of the airport. I wonder if any of his audio tapes still exist?

The previously posted live BOC shots are here.

A Scanner Demon

Going wild on scanning. It's really fun, especially with the black and whites. I keep finding wonderful surprises. It's like Christmas every day. And today was no different.

I scanned my Papa John Creach negs (tell me you know who he is). I surprised myself with a couple of very cool backstage shots of him. I need to figure out where I shot him. Looks like a club.

Then I did my Marc Bolan black and whites to add to the color slides I scanned previously. I have some great shots of him. I'm guessing T-Rex headlined with Blue Oyster Cult opening because...surprise...the negs had backstage shots of BOC, then live shots of Bolan, then more backstage of BOC. Let me know if you want to see the BOC backstage stuff and I'll post some. I have live BOC photos posted here, in case you missed them back in April. Is it true that nobody reads blog archives?

I wish I'd been more organized with logging who I shot, when I shot them and where. I have this three-page list that I hand-printed way back when, but it's nowhere near complete...even within the list. And my memory? Well, we can forget about that.

When It Snows

I'm scanning my Hank Snow black and white negs today and at the bottom there's a neg strip with two images on it. In glancing at it I thought it was a couple of backstage shots of Hank Snow. So, I scanned it.

Not Hank Snow. Nothing to do with Hank Snow. Not the same job, not even the same record company.

Here's the best of the two pics:


Shot in Vancouver at the C-FUN radio station. Are they still around? Totally did not remember doing this until I saw the picture. That cool shot of Chuck Berry is also mine. One I'm planning for my Limited Edition Print Series.

The girl on the right is/was my client, Monica Netupsky. She worked really hard for a record distributor that handled a lot of the independent labels. She's also in a backstage photo of the Al Stewart band that I posted a while back. I really liked Monica. We became good friends. She had the biggest record collection I have ever seen. Walls and walls of vinyl in the basement of her parents' house in North Vancouver.

Monica gave me the one contact I had when I moved to Los Angeles. I owe her. I'm really sorry I lost touch with Monica. If any of you know who she is and where I can find her, please let me know.

Now, back to scanning Mr. Snow. Appropriate for the season.

Let it Snow
Let it Snow
Let it Snow...