John Fahey

Happy 71st Birthday to John Fahey.

John Fahey

2/28/39-2/22/01

You can see lots more pictures and learn more about John Fahey and the 47 other musicians in my tribute book, Everybody I Shot Is Dead.

Happy Birthday John Fahey

I've mentioned this before. It really bugs me when people die right before they reach their next birthday. There are several musicians in my book that have died a week or two before their birthday. Shit, Alex Harvey died the day before his. When I die...I mean if I die...I want it to be at least one week after my birthday and no less than six months before my next birthday.

Anyway, John Fahey is another one. The anniversary of his death was just last Sunday and the anniversary of his birth is today. The 70th anniversary of his birth.

John Fahey

2/28/39-2/22/01

In last Sunday's post I think I intimated that my Fahey story was one of my best. Did I mention that it also includes the dog? The Santa in this picture is Mark Wilson, the Warner record rep who was so instrumental in helping me with my rock'n'roll photography career.

Here's some more John Fahey for your Saturday listening pleasure...




You can see lots more pictures and learn more about John Fahey, Mark Wilson and the 47 other musicians in my tribute book, Everybody I Shot Is Dead.

Papa John Creach and John Fahey

It was 15 years ago today that we lost fiddler Papa John Creach and 8 years ago today that guitarist John Fahey passed away. Both very talented musicians.

Papa John Creach

May 8, 1917 - February 22, 1994

I really loved shooting Papa John Creach.

I posted this video before but it's so sweet I'm putting it up again. It's a little reunion of Papa John and his Hot Tuna bandmate, the great Jorma Kaukonen.

John Fahey
February 28, 1939 - February 22, 2001

John Fahey was an amazing guitarist. My encounter with him is one of my stranger rock'n'roll stories. In this case, my usual position as photographer took a back seat to me being John's road manager for an out-of-town gig. It's a great story but you're going to have to read it in my book because it's far too entangled to post here.

This one's called Lion, and that he was...




You can see lots more pictures and learn more about Papa John, John Fahey and the 46 other musicians in my tribute book, Everybody I Shot Is Dead.

Two Johns Gone

Today is the day to commemorate the passing of two outstanding musicians. If you are not familiar with them please take a moment to look at their pictures and have a listen.

Papa John Creach
May 8, 1917 - February 22, 1994

Papa John remains one of my most favorite photography subjects. He allowed me to hang out in his dressing room and take candid shots. I thank him for giving me some of my best work.

John Fahey
February 28, 1939 - February 22, 2001

John Fahey was a cantankerous guy, who was quite possibly the best accoustic guitarist I've seen. I can't say John gave me my best pictures but I can definitely say he gave me one of my best rock'n'roll stories. Seriously.

R.I.P.

This was supposed to be posted yesterday. Sorry, John.

JOHN FAHEY

2/28/39 - 2/22/01

Since no one seems to go back into the archives, I thought I would reprint this John Fahey post from May 12, 2006:

I have a tendency toward being linear. As a screenwriter, I should get over my desire for things to follow in order. When I watched the movie Memento on DVD, I kept wanting to run it backwards. I loved the movie but it drove my brain crazy.

I'm sliding this little John Fahey post in between my Ghost - Part I and Ghost - Part II stories because that's how it happened. The day after my visit from Michael Bloomfield, I came across a sheet of negs labeled John Fahey. I was really excited to find them. Like, jumping up and down excited. I thought they were long gone.

And I was even more excited when I googled "John Fahey" and found out he was dead. I know that is a really horrible thing to say/write. Maybe the most horrible thing I have ever said/written. It makes me sound downright evil. Which I'm not. Honest. So, I take it back. Sort of. Okay, I'm really sorry he died. I want you to know, I had nothing to do with his death. I never wished him dead. And I don't own any voodoo dolls. May John Fahey rest in peace.

Now that I've repented, "Why would I be excited he died?" Because I have a great John Fahey story. And now I get to tell it. Well, I don't mean "now" as in right now, this second. I mean in the book. At this point, I'm guessing most of you are asking, "Who the hell is John Fahey?" When I got the emergency phone call that led to my John Fahey encounter, I only vaguely knew his name. Isn't he some guitar players guitar player type? Obscure but respected? Yeah, that's John Fahey. An amazing guitar player.

Okay. This might be a good time for you to learn a little about Mr. Fahey. Before I taint his shiny memory. It also gives me a chance to plug my loyal reader/commenter, fellow blogger, and new friend, Harry Funk. He writes for a paper in Pittsburgh and also blogs about music. He really knows his stuff. While you wait on the edge of your seat for my John Fahey story, you can learn more about him on Sir Harry Funk's blog here (scroll to the bottom of the page).

Now, how can I taint his memory? By telling you that John Fahey was a pretty miserable guy. And as we all know, miserable characters make for good stories. Which means my John Fahey story must be good. And to prove it, I'll tease you with this: it involves an airplane, a drug deal and a dog...oh yeah, and me.

Let's see if you can figure that one out.