More Mo and Me

For those of you outside of SoCal, here's my interview that aired on NBC on Saturday. Since I haven't watched it - I love doing interviews, I don't love seeing myself having done them - I'm counting on you to give me some feedback.



I've received a bunch of emails about it. One person liked the bar they put over Maurice Gibb's engorged private part. Someone else liked that I stripped Mo half-naked. Hey, people, what's with all the positive feedback on the sexual content? That's almost enough to make me watch it! Another person felt I may have over-sanctified Frank Zappa - is that even possible?

Someone even said, "What a lovely, perfect interview!!!" BUT, then there was Cucumber Rob...he wrote:
"its OK - maybe thats where you should be pitching your John Bonham type cuts . .
r
ps dunno who watches these sort of things ?" (Please feel free to answer that question for the poor Brit)

With friends like that... Anyway, I'd love to hear your comments and feel free to have some fun with it.

Is there anywhere in the interview where you see me taking pictures? Yes, I was shooting them while they were shooting me. Here's a few of the shots I shot.





I had a blast doing this interview. Mo was really well prepared - he asked great questions because he actually read my book (notice the multitudes of post-its and what you probably don't see in the interviews is his legal pad with pages of notes and questions). So, thank you Mo - not only are you loads of fun, you are a consummate professional. And you let me take your shirt off. Also, thanks to producer Lisa Lucas for all you did and do. And the crew who were also great. And to my friend and brilliant photographer Randee St. Nicholas for letting me use her gorgeous studio. And last but nowhere near least, Harlan Boll for getting me booked on First Look LA. Oh, and to all the readers who take time out of there day to stop by and read my drivel. I truly appreciate each and everyone of you.

Sheesh, I sound like I just got an Oscar® (good practice for '10 or '11, depending on post). Cue the music...I'm done.

5 Minutes with Mo Rocca

The interview I taped with Mo Rocca a couple of months ago is airing tomorrow - Saturday Aug 2 - on NBC (Los Angeles, Ch. 4) at 7:30pm. The show is called First Look LA. I had a blast doing this interview. I hope that comes across in the edited version.

If you're not in the Los Angeles area, don't worry, it will be coming soon to an internet near you. When I know when and where I'll post the link.

In celebration of this feel good event, I've put up some special deals on the WEBSITE...such as a limited number of signed books for $35 off the $60 cover price (that's $25 for those of you who suck at math) and a gorgeous George Harrison lithograph for the crazy low introductory price of $15.

Now, go set your Tivo.

A New Haircut

Early last month I gave up the gym for the swimming pool.

Within a few days it was apparent that my long hair was going to be a pain in the neck/ass while swimming laps. Every time I'd turn my head to breathe I'd get a mouthful of hair. Yes, I know there's this new-fangled invention called a bathing cap but I don't like like 'em. I don't even wear goggles in the pool. It's just me and my bathing suit.

Since the cap thing was not an option, I rectified the problem by scuttling on over to the local he-she trendy barbershop where I could get a cut for thirty bucks from (as it turned out) a chick with Munsters tattoos all over her arms. I may have mentioned that my table at the NY BeatleFest was next to none other than Eddie Munster. I'm now wondering if there is a connection between these events.

I told her I wanted to take two or three inches off so I could still throw it in a ponytail. She asked. "Just below the shoulder?" I said, "That would be fine." She picked up her scissors and started snipping away. Snip snip snip snip snip. I felt like I was in Edward Scissorhands' chair. Or better yet, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

When I walked in, I looked something like this:

Long hair. (photo by Cucumber Rob)

When I walked out, I looked something like this:

Now, you may think this looks all OK but I took this photo after I swam, after I had a shower, after I used the blow dryer and after I used a bunch of hair product. Completely against my wash and quick dry principles.

And if I don't do the full blow-dry and add the hair products it looks exactly like this:

Seriously.

(Crap. I just outed my new camera - well, new in early June. I didn't mean to do that. I am working on a post about cameras which I will eventually finish and put up, along with all the posts about my recent shootings.)

Earthquake!

We had a little temblor in So Cal at 11:42 this morning. They reported it as a 5.6, then inflated it to a 5.8 and now it's been downgraded to a 5.4 - hey, it's Hollywood.

It lasted a bit longer than usual and I admit it was a pretty good ride at my house. But it didn't make me want to huddle under my desk or run to the nearest doorway.

So, why am I writing this?

To vent.

Against the media.

They are running this as Live Breaking News non-stop, no commercial breaks. Talking to every Tom, Dick and Harry from those who are close to the epicenter and those who are so far away they probably didn't feel anything. Still, the anchor asks over and over again, "How did it feel where you are?" There's no major damage here, no reports of injury...just a little adrenalin rush.

What's the big deal people?

Why do our media outlets drone on and on and on over nothing?

They could easily condense everything they've said in the past hour and a half down to 5 minutes max.

And it's not just earthquakes. It's hi-speed and even lo-speed chases, it's the celebrity crap, it's legal crap...

Sheesh.

All You Need Is Love

If only.

Anyway, my kid edited this trailer for the recently released DVD set. Thought you might enjoy his talent.



Let me know what you think. As his current manager, I'm open to all job offers.

Michael Bloomfield

It's a big birthday for Mike...65 today.

If you didn't have the privilege to meet Michael in person, the interview clips in this piece from the film "Festival" are exactly who he was in person.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY...I wish you were here.

Keith Godchaux

My bad. Again. As usual. I'm late. I have a problem writing posts when I don't feel like writing posts. I should really pre-write my tribute posts and pop them up here on the appropriate days. Or maybe I should just get over my feelings and post every single day.

So I am belatedly celebrating Keith Godchaux's 60th birthday and the 28th anniversary of his tragic passing. Keith would have celebrated his 60th birthday last Saturday (July 19th) had he not been killed in a car crash two days after his 32nd birthday (July 21, 1980).

For those of you who do not know who Keith is let me enlighten you. He played keyboards and is best known for his years with the Grateful Dead. Before the Dead he played with Dave Mason. He recorded an album with his wife Donna in '75 and both played in the Jerry Garcia Band for a couple of years in the latter part of the seventies. He also wrote the song, Six Feet of Snow, with Little Feat's Lowell George.

I took this photo of Keith on May 17, 1974 at the Grateful Dead show in Vancouver.

It's really hard to find footage of Keith playing...this is the Dead playing Winterland in the Fall of '74. There's only a brief clip of the keyboard player near the end. I'm hoping it's Keith.



Happy Birthday and I hope you're rocking upstairs.

Home Run Derby

I'm watching the MLB Home Run Derby. The boys of summer are displaying their athletic prowess. It's really amazing to see those round bats hit those little round balls and watch them sail out of the park. Crazy shit.

I suppose you may be wondering why the hell I'd have any interest in the Home Run Derby or even baseball for that matter. It's a long way from rock'n'roll, right?

Actually, it's not. My kid used to play a lot of baseball and in 2000 he was the bat boy for the UCLA Bruins. I spent a lot of time at Jackie Robinson Stadium and was friends with the amazing coach, Gary Adams. I also took a lot of pictures at those games. Shooting baseball games is not so far from shooting concerts. It's just a different kind of music.

One of the players I shot during that year just happens to be competing in tonight's Home Run Derby. He was also the player that got the most votes on the all-star ballot. His name is Chase Utley and he is the second baseman for the Phillies. I'm hoping he wins the Derby - yikes, he's up next and I'm getting nervous. The kind of nervous you get when your own kid is coming up to bat.

Anyway, I thought you baseball geeks out there might be interested in this...it's one of three UCLA helmets that we have that belonged to Chase Utley. All three are in similar condition. And all three could have come from one game. He was serious about hitting. When he wasn't happy with an at bat, he wasn't happy.




I'm wondering if he's still killing helmets when he hits his slumps in the majors.

Go Chase!!

Happy Birthday, Mr. Starkey!

And in honor of this Beatle's birthday, I am releasing a fine art photography print of the man who wore rings.

I pulled this one out of the people I shot who are fortunately still alive box back in March and debuted it at the Fest for Beatle Fans in New York. I was planning to launch it on my blog and website right after that but I've been so busy I just haven't gotten around to it. Until now. Since he's the birthday boy.

This photo was taken in November 1974 at Capitol Records in Los Angeles. I had shot George (Harrison) on November 2nd and then made a trip to L.A. to see if I had a hope in hell of making it in the B.C. (Big City) After making the 24 hour drive and landing at the Continental Riot House on Sunset I made a call to someone who invited me and my camera to the Ringo Starr press conference for the launch of his album, Goodnight Vienna. I took that as a very good sign on my chances of making it in the B.C. even though it wasn't an actual job or anything. Just an opportunity to shoot some photos of another Beatle.

It was a lot of fun as they had a big production after the press bit where they had a space ship flown to the top of the Capitol Records building where they ultimately shot a video of Ringo singing a song from the album, with Harry Nilsson sitting in a lawn chair off to the side.

This is my favorite shot of him from the press conference:

If you are interested in owning a lovely silver gelatin archival print of this picture, I am running a Ringo Starr birthday special. The 16x20 Limited Edition of 75 numbered & signed prints is currently available at $275 per print ($500 framed) and an 11x14 Open Edition signed print is $125 per print ($225 framed).

I'll have this deal up on the website by the end of the day tomorrow. If you want it sooner than that you can send an email to info@cheshercat.com and we'll take care of you.

A year and a half after I took this photo I was sent to Ringo's house by Klaus Voormann to discuss the various pieces of Klaus' artwork that I needed for Starart. He spent a couple of hours with me discussing what I was doing with the book. It was at that initial meeting that he told me Ronnie Wood was a great artist and that I should have him in the book. I had no idea he was an artist so I am indebted to Ringo for the suggestion. Ringo also showed up for the gallery opening of Starart and also purchased #7/300 of the Limited Edition version of the book. He was very supportive.

Happy Birthday, Richie. And keep on rockin'!

Anybody Out There?

I imagine not since I have not tended to this blog garden for some time.

I just got back from four long days in Las Vegas at the Fest For Beatle Fans. And I barely had time to breathe in the four days I was home from NearFest before leaving for Vegas. I currently have 474 emails in my inbox that need answering and/or filing. There are a bunch of messages on the office and cellphone that I've not listened to or haven't returned. Not to mention the other work that has piled up. I have yet to edit the photos from Day 2 and 3 of the Harmony Festival and I haven't even looked at the 3 Fish shows I shot nor the three other bands I photographed at NearFest.

I expect I will catch up on the blogging as I edit the pictures, but right now I need to catch up on my sleep.

Sweet dreams.

George Carlin

You will be missed.

I'm Sad

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Happy Birthday, Peter Bardens

He would have been 63 today.

Something you may not know about Peter Bardens...Mick Fleetwood credits him for starting his music career.

Here's Camel's Never Let Go with Peter on keyboards and lead vocals:



I'm celebrating Peter's birthday in Bethlehem, PA at the NearFest prog rock festival.

My only question is if Peter Bardens was a trailblazer of progressive rock in the early seventies how can it still be called progressive rock today?

Big Heart City

If you've been around here for a while, you may remember my posts on the stills I shot for this movie. It seems like light years ago.

Wait a sec...it was.

Dateline: August 12, 2006 - the first post.

Dateline: August 29, 2006 - the second post.

See what you miss when you don't delve into the archives?

Anyway...FINALLY...this little movie is getting its due. Big Heart City producer Peter Basler (my producing partner on My First Kiss) was just in Vegas for the CineVega film festival and next week Big Heart City is screening and competing in the Los Angeles Film Festival.

That led to the following blurb in the Los Angeles Times which includes one of my photos:

I'll be at the June 24th screening at the Regent Theater in Westwood since I heard they're doing the Red Carpet for that one (yes, I'm a Red Carpet whore).

Hope to see you there!

Happy Birthday, Harry

Harry Nilsson would have been 67 today.

Put the lime in the coconut and drink 'em both up...

Happy Birthday, Harry!!
And thanks for all the great music.

Harmony Festival - Day 1

Getting there was a pain in my ass.

I picked Cucumber Rob up at LAX around six, six-thirtyish. He was outside and waiting right where he was supposed to be. Originally I was planning to pack up the car and drive up to the Bay Area straight from the airport, but Cucumber Rob had sent four large (read heavy) boxes of Jefferson Starship CDs, plus I had my boxes of stuff that would be sold. And if that wasn't enough, I was also taking a coffee table (mounted on the roof of the Jeep) up to my girl child. I decided it was best not to provoke the airport security into searching the car so we stopped back at my place to do the loading.

That was the problem. After waking at 7am and spending the day working, packing/prepping for the trip, I still had a bunch of pictures to print. I thought it would be cool to show the Starship some photos of the band I took way back when, and we were also planning a side trip on the way back to see the lead singer of a mega UK band I shot in '75. Scanning, retouching, printing...it all had to be done. And Cucumber Rob needed my wifi to take care of some biz back in the UK. And I had to make and print a sign for him to advertise the CDs. And, and, and.

By the time all the 'ands' were done with it was 10:30 or 11ish pm when we got back on the 405 heading North. We didn't get very far out of town before we needed to stop for food. I went to Mickey D's for a 1/4 pounder meal, knowing that if I ate it all I would definitely be able to stay awake for the long haul. Finicky Mr. Vegetarian Cucumber Rob refused to order from Ronald, so we found Mike's diner (his new favorite place) where he picked up a cheese sandwich.

Within a half hour of eating (and me driving), Cucumber Rob fell asleep in mid-sentence, maybe a couple of miles past the Grapevine, leaving me to navigate the darkness of the I-5 all by myself. Between the flapping of the sheet (meant to protect the roof of my car from the potentially scratchy coffee table) and Cucumber Rob's incessant snoring, it's a wonder I wasn't lulled into a permanent sleep. By the grace of somebody, we managed to hit the Bay Area around 3:30 but didn't make it to Chez Jaimie until at least 4. Due to the brain damage caused by my lack of sleep and Cucumber Rob's surplus of snoring I took the wrong turnoff and ended up on the road to nowhere, then forgot to make a turn to the 101 S after crossing the architectural anomaly known as the Richmond Bridge.

By the time my head hit the pillow I was dead asleep. I was awake again 5 hours later, although it felt more like 5 minutes, to help Cucumber Rob unbungee the coffee table from the roof before he, me and the girl child headed to girl child's fave restaurant for breakfast (this was required in lieu of payment for the accommodations). Oh before I forget, there was a list of rules that came with the privilege of staying at the Chez. These were emailed to me and forwarded to Cucumber Rob prior to our LA departure.

I figure I should reprint them here just in case you find yourself booked in at Chez Jaimie:

No Shoes inside.
No Gum chewing.
No whistling.
No Coffee inside.
You will be expected to clear your sleeping area as soon as you awake, this includes vacuuming (provided it is after 8 am).
No towels will be provided without a $5 service charge for laundering.
The toilet seat must always be down when not in use.
You must turn out every light before leaving a room.
All doors are to remain closed except when entering/exiting.
You must be mindful of the cats and not let them out.
You will be expected to wash all your own dishes or incur a $5 service charge for each dish.
All cell phones must be turned off in my apartment to avoid unnecessary electromagnetic radiation. OFF, silent mode does not count.
You will walk lightly on the stairs and refrain from conversation in outside corridors.
You will be charged for water for showers, brushing teeth, flushing toilet etc.
You absolutely must flush the toilet. You must flush twice if it smells and then light a match. Please bring you own matches.
You may not move furniture around... if you are not comfortable with the space provided for sleeping then go to a hotel.
You will be kicked out for loud noise or sudden movements.
You may not open closets or drawers.
You must be respectful of the hostess at all times.
Telling jokes pertaining to race, religion, or politics are grounds for being kicked out... unless you are poking fun at Jesus.
You may not leave anything in the bathroom. IE take your toothbrush in when you are brushing your teeth and then take it out with you--otherwise I will throw it away.
If you walk into the kitchen for any reason you will be required to mop the floor.

And finally, I reserve the right to refuse service and kick you out, or to charge you a service fee for any inconvenience you may cause me.

Enjoy your stay and look forward to seeing you.

Fortunately, we were not there long enough to break many of the rules. Although, as I recall, Cucumber Rob's matches were confiscated on boarding his plane in Mexico City.

Enough of my blathering...here are some photos from Day 1...

The car and the coffee table...

C. Rob tries to unbungee the coffee table.
We discuss taking it to the festival.
I eventually lent a hand...really, I did...

C. Rob does whatever it takes to keep the rulemaker happy.

Yes, it was a hippy-dippy fest...

With Eco-friendly folks...

And the globally bizarre Cucumber Rob...

Did I mention it was a hippy-dippy fest?

Hula-hoops on our way to the stage...

Where music would soon abound...

Meet the Green Woman

Did I mention it was hippy-dippy fest?

Our tent city...

And my tent - naked.

More to come. A couple of photos of Mickey Hart from the night of Day 1 and then Day 2.

I know you can't wait.

I certainly can't.

Knackered

Getting back from the 60s in the time machine has proven more difficult than I ever imagined.

I think I'm going to have to make a minor stopover in Switzerland for a full blood replacement transfusion.

Anybody know how long that takes?

I'm supposed to shoot Fish at the House of Blues on Sunset at 9pm tonight. Hoping I can make it back by then. Wait. Maybe I can catch him on the way back when I pass through the 80s.

Back...barely

As of around midnight, I returned from the five-day sojourn up to Santa Rosa for the Harmony Festival.

Had a great time, which I promise to write about in the coming days. Part of the fun and games included shooting tons of pictures of pictures, which I promise to post a sampling in the coming days. In addition to shooting the interesting people I saw after some time machine jettisoned us back to the 60s, I shot some great musicians such as Jefferson Starship, Arrested Development, Charlie Musselwhite, Mickey Hart and Damien Marley.

And I slept in a tent. After I get some sleep in my real bed, I'll hopefully be able to collect my thoughts and tell you all about it.

In The Nick of Time

For another half hour (well, longer if you're in Hawaii), it's John Bonham's birthday. He would have been 60 today.

I'm sure you already know my affection for John, Led Zeppelin and their music. I only wish their was a band today that could put out as many great songs as they did. We need some new music as good as the old music.

Happy Birthday, Bonzo.

Here's a fun early interview from the British telly:


And no John Bonham birthday celebration would be complete without a bit of Moby Dick:


Sorry to all of you who never got to see him play this live. It was a beautiful thing.

Slash Me

After setting up my little display space yesterday, I headed home. Since this is what I was greeted with on the way home...


...today I decided to do something I've never done in L.A. I took the Metro Rail. Yes I did. And it was great. No gas required, no traffic, no $12 parking fee and it took me right where I wanted to go for only $1.25 each way. This is what it looks like inside one of the stations...

I was having an excellently fun time at the Expo today. Meeting lots of cool people, and running into lots of people I know. And then I heard that Slash was going to be signing his book in the autograph section.

Hmmm. I thought it might be cool to show him my book.

Since the autograph area is pretty close to where my little borrowed space is, I walked over there to check out how it worked. Ugh. They had a bunch of signing tables at the back of the room with roped aisles stretching out for the length of a block. There were lists of authors for each aisle and tons of people lined up to get autographs of authors I'd never even heard of. Can you imagine how many people would be lined up for Slash? Hoards. No way was I going to wait an hour or two in a long line and have 2 seconds to say 'hi, I know you're here for your book, but why don't you check out my book?' Oh well. Maybe another time.

At that point, I needed to head over to the South Hall to show someone my book. But in the back of my mind I thought maybe I'd see if I could find out who published Slash's book. Maybe. And maybe I'd drop a copy of my book for them to pass on to him. Then again, maybe not. Chances are he wouldn't get it. Nah, he definitely wouldn't get it. Forget it.

It's a bit of a trek from the West Hall to the South Hall. And during a Book Expo there's always a chance of running into interesting characters along the way. Like an elephant...

Or a staggering red something with vision problems...

Then I started thinking about my daughter, not even questioning why these odd characters brought her to mind. I thought about calling her. I don't know why, I just did. And within 30 seconds, while I was still walking up that very long hallway, my phone rang.

Guess who it was?

My daughter.

Weird.

We were chatting as I walked and I asked her if there were any books she wanted me to pick up for her. That's the great think about the U.S. Book Expos - the publishers give out tons of books that aren't even out yet. Anyway, she had just finished reading Middlesex and was wondering if the author had a new book coming out. I told her I'd check. Then asked her if she knew who published his book. She said it was Harper Collins.

By this time I was in the South Hall. Oddly enough, I looked up and saw the Harper Collins sign hanging from the ceiling about ten yards in front and a little to the left of me. I responded with, "Hey, I'm really close to their booth. I'll go check for you right now." And seconds later, after I made a quick left and was rounding the divider into the Harper Collins booth, I caught sight of someone that looked something like this...


Oh My God You Have Got To Be Kidding Me. It's Slash. W.T.F.

There he was, standing there, no commotion around him...just hanging out in the Harper Collins booth. I guess Harper Collins is his publisher. I didn't give it a second thought. I walked right up and stood a few steps away from him while he finished a conversation with some girl and then I said "Hi."

First I congratulated him on the award he received a couple of weeks ago at a charity event and I heard the sets he did with Steven Tyler (they played Whole Lotta Love for freakin' sakes) and Alice Cooper was ridiculously amazing. Not that I got to go or anything since it was a charity event that cost a kabillion dollars but that my son got to go because his g.f.'s mom runs the friggin' charity. That would be the same charity that I donated all that stuff to, including the Limited Edition book that they just collected a bunch of money for in their online auction...but hey, I'm not bitter that he got to watch this very cool show (with Slash smokin' on the guitar) from a sofa situated a few feet away from the stage. Nope. Not bitter at all.

After I told him how amazing my kid told me the show was, I whipped the copy of my book out of my bag and told him I was glad I ran into him because I wanted to give him my book. He looked at the book and was quite taken aback - and then said he wasn't sure at first what I was pulling out of my bag, but he was thankful it was what it was (do you think he thought I had a gun or something?). I should know it's never a good idea to pull something out of a bag and spring it on a famous person when they have no idea who you are or if you're going to pull out a poisonous snake.

I signed the book for him and he was happy to give me a copy of his book and sign it for me (before any of those poor shlubs who were waiting in that long line for him). We talked a bit more about the charity event (yes, the one I didn't get to go to) while he flipped through my book. I told him I had shot Alice Cooper in Vancouver when he fell off the stage (for those of you who don't know, that is a somewhat historic moment in rock history) and I also lamented that not only did my son get to go to the charity event (Nope. I'm not bitter.) but that he was shooting musicians now. That was when he said to me, "Don't worry about it. You're the one that got the good stuff." How nice was that? Thanks for the vindication, Slash.

As if that wasn't enough of a compliment from this larger than life rock star, as he thanked me for the third or fourth time for giving him my book he said, "If you hadn't given this to me and I saw it somewhere I definitely would have bought it." How nicer is that? Thanks for the endorsement, Slash.

Just in case you think I'm completely full of shit, I did the obsessed stalker fan thing and got this...

(geez, Chesher, could you look any less excited?)

And this is what he wrote to me in his book...


I read the opening pages to his book on the Metro Rail home...and so far it's very good. Turns out his family lived in Laurel Canyon in the early 70s. His mom was a clothing designer for musicians and actors. He wrote that Joni Mitchell was often around their house. Sheesh. I was working with Joni on my first book in the late 70s. It's quite possible that I ran into his mom, and maybe even him, way back when.

As usual, there's a little kicker to this story.

After running into Slash, I totally forgot to ask one of the Harper Collins reps about the Middlesex author. I just left their booth in a purple haze. But I did go back there a while later - after I trekked back to my booth to get another copy of my book - after I met up with Badfinger author Dan Matavino. ..and guess what? Harper Collins didn't publish Middlesex.

Looks like one of my guardian angel musicians put those words into my daughter's mouth... maybe they also wanted Slash to have a copy of Everybody I Shot Is Dead. 'Cause this kind of thing happens to me way too often to be coincidence.