I took a trip to New York City in 1976. Along side my tattered bag filled with my portfolio. A sagging ego is search for a guru for enlightenment that all photographers desire at one time or another. My first phone call was to Richard Avedon Studios (famous fashion photographer). Trembling at the thought of starting my mission, I placed the call. Ring, ring, ring, "Hello... Avedon Studios...Yes can I help you?" As I tried to speak some words,to me they didn't make any sense in my head. My timing was off with tangled thoughts. I always thought I was a good talker till today. I mustered up courage to ask for Mr. Avedon. His secretary said, 'He went out for coffee and will be back in 15 minutes". I told the voice of my purpose in the call was visit him. "Come on by in a half hour, will ya"? I was out of my room in a flash with vapor trails working my way in a cab and off to my first conquest.
I approached the door of his arty looking studio. I felt my heart beating a mile a minute with dry mouth and a nervous confusion. I realized I had to get it together in the matter of seconds. I walked in with a slow nervous pace while trying to be cool and collected as well as trying to be as polite as possible. I meet a nice lady who said..."He'll be with you in a moment, would you like some coffee"? "Yes" as I sat down and tried to enjoy the coffee even though my hands were shaking! Then there he was! Richard appeared! I could feel the presence of an aurora of greatness. We shook hands and I was thinking. That I was touching the hands who had worked with all those famous people in his photographic career. My hand I would never wash again. We sat down to get to business. "Why I was there" he said"? He hind his walnut carved desk and I in a comfortable leather chair close to him. The place filled with very cool antiques, large framed photographs, and oil paintings. Looking at the treasures he picked up on his travels. He asked , What I had been doing'? His salt and pepper bushy hair while peering at me over his black framed glasses low on his nose. "What is your background" I filled him in on my experiences. Then I opened my portfolio and started my speak. We talked back and forth about my work for about an hour, explaining the many things I did. Then he said..."What do you do"?....I didn't quite get it and said '"everything". He said... " In NY when they want a glass photographer, they go to a photographer that specializes in glass only. He's the expert! If they want product guy they go to another. So and so...he's another expert!. Try to pigeon hole yourself and be the best at that one great thing"! I'll never forget those words and use them till this day. Keep it simple and do what you feel you're good at and interested in better than anybody else has ever done before.
Time was up and I had to go, although I could have stayed forever. I appreciated his remarks but wore out my little deflated ego. Shacking his hand again, I said, "Thank You... Mr. Avedon...It's been an unbelievable pleasure"! I walked out the door feeling great! I felt marvelous...my mission fulfilled. Jerry was off to his next encounter. One down with a wonderful admiration.
I approached the door of his arty looking studio. I felt my heart beating a mile a minute with dry mouth and a nervous confusion. I realized I had to get it together in the matter of seconds. I walked in with a slow nervous pace while trying to be cool and collected as well as trying to be as polite as possible. I meet a nice lady who said..."He'll be with you in a moment, would you like some coffee"? "Yes" as I sat down and tried to enjoy the coffee even though my hands were shaking! Then there he was! Richard appeared! I could feel the presence of an aurora of greatness. We shook hands and I was thinking. That I was touching the hands who had worked with all those famous people in his photographic career. My hand I would never wash again. We sat down to get to business. "Why I was there" he said"? He hind his walnut carved desk and I in a comfortable leather chair close to him. The place filled with very cool antiques, large framed photographs, and oil paintings. Looking at the treasures he picked up on his travels. He asked , What I had been doing'? His salt and pepper bushy hair while peering at me over his black framed glasses low on his nose. "What is your background" I filled him in on my experiences. Then I opened my portfolio and started my speak. We talked back and forth about my work for about an hour, explaining the many things I did. Then he said..."What do you do"?....I didn't quite get it and said '"everything". He said... " In NY when they want a glass photographer, they go to a photographer that specializes in glass only. He's the expert! If they want product guy they go to another. So and so...he's another expert!. Try to pigeon hole yourself and be the best at that one great thing"! I'll never forget those words and use them till this day. Keep it simple and do what you feel you're good at and interested in better than anybody else has ever done before.
Time was up and I had to go, although I could have stayed forever. I appreciated his remarks but wore out my little deflated ego. Shacking his hand again, I said, "Thank You... Mr. Avedon...It's been an unbelievable pleasure"! I walked out the door feeling great! I felt marvelous...my mission fulfilled. Jerry was off to his next encounter. One down with a wonderful admiration.
I first became acquainted with Irving Penn while looking at his book Photographs of Dahomey that he shot in Africa of natives. He used a portable studio with cloth backgrounds of various shades of gray. It hit me hard in my photographers mind and I fell in love again. I was very touched by this work.
The next day, as my courage built up from the day before I spent with Richard Avedon, I was ready for another talent that I had great admiration for and felt II was on the top of my game. I didn't call this time for fear of rejection and stopped by his studio in person. As I walked in Irving was sitting in a chair reading a magazine and eating a sandwich of some sorts. Again, I told him of my mission to meet my favorite photographers and he was one of them. I sat down and he brought out another sandwich for me. Ham and cheese on a bagel along with a soft drink. It was good since I skipped breakfast. We just kinda fell in and talked about things. Slow... I mentioned Avedon and he said he was a good friend. I was so use to photographers no liking each other in Detroit over jealousy. It was nice to see that comradeship. I asked hundreds of questions about his life was like, how did he like shooting famous peopleand on and on He told me...
"I never think about it, I just do it and something happens that works out".
I told him, I admired his work and he enjoyed hearing it and then explained what I liked about it. I so wanted to be like him! He's a big camera format kinda guy. We toured his well organized studio and noticed all the 8X10-11X14 studio cameras all over. He had a big skylight which he used all the time, only in the morning when the light was right. He mentioned his film speed was slow and people had to be very still, who had posed for him. I didn't see a lot of strobe but some studio sky pans, soft light. He was very natural, his lighting was simple and clean. His people were well directed with a superb photographer as himself.
This was a nice quite introduction and we carried on for hours talking about the photo world. He asked me who else I wanted to see and I told him next was Phil Marco (Famous still life shooter). He complimented my taste in photographers. Again it was time to go and be on my way. I hated to go again but ya have to leave these good people to think by themselves. Shook another famous hand and out the door I went on my way! Thank You Mr. Irving Penn!
The next day, as my courage built up from the day before I spent with Richard Avedon, I was ready for another talent that I had great admiration for and felt II was on the top of my game. I didn't call this time for fear of rejection and stopped by his studio in person. As I walked in Irving was sitting in a chair reading a magazine and eating a sandwich of some sorts. Again, I told him of my mission to meet my favorite photographers and he was one of them. I sat down and he brought out another sandwich for me. Ham and cheese on a bagel along with a soft drink. It was good since I skipped breakfast. We just kinda fell in and talked about things. Slow... I mentioned Avedon and he said he was a good friend. I was so use to photographers no liking each other in Detroit over jealousy. It was nice to see that comradeship. I asked hundreds of questions about his life was like, how did he like shooting famous peopleand on and on He told me...
"I never think about it, I just do it and something happens that works out".
I told him, I admired his work and he enjoyed hearing it and then explained what I liked about it. I so wanted to be like him! He's a big camera format kinda guy. We toured his well organized studio and noticed all the 8X10-11X14 studio cameras all over. He had a big skylight which he used all the time, only in the morning when the light was right. He mentioned his film speed was slow and people had to be very still, who had posed for him. I didn't see a lot of strobe but some studio sky pans, soft light. He was very natural, his lighting was simple and clean. His people were well directed with a superb photographer as himself.
This was a nice quite introduction and we carried on for hours talking about the photo world. He asked me who else I wanted to see and I told him next was Phil Marco (Famous still life shooter). He complimented my taste in photographers. Again it was time to go and be on my way. I hated to go again but ya have to leave these good people to think by themselves. Shook another famous hand and out the door I went on my way! Thank You Mr. Irving Penn!
Phil is an amazing photographer! Spending an hour with this man in his studio was a real treat while he was shooting a product shoot of peppers. He had such an intriguing and detailed eye for the a different way of looking at things he photographed. He was the 3rd photographer on my trip to NY. I was amazed at the light boxes he used with strobe lighting. I was so use to large incandescent lights that were hot and uncontrollable. The strobe light was cool, it was rich, it was sharp. He used a Hasselblad camera shooting closeup views. My impression of Phil with his bushy mustache and eyebrows that made him a real character with great talents. Spent about an hour and more for my mental safe house of beautiful impressions I had on my trip. Thanks to Phil for giving me an advanced look to come in the near future. He was light years a head. Good guy!
My first and only experience shooting Shirley was for the Riveria Hotel in Las Vegas for the hotels advertising campaign in 1982. She had starred in the main stage dancing arrangement while we were there for a month shooting the place. The art director had arranged the the time for us to meet. She knew we were going to shoot her that night and had to meet me at her room because she had a thing about not knowing who was photographing her. A quirk that I've seen before in very temperamental artists, so I was use to the behavior. My mission was to make her feel comfortable with our meeting of which I hope I accomplished. She seemed nice and a little nervous at the beginning and as time went by, I felt like an old friend. We talked about a half hour and off I went to carry on my tight shooting schedule I had. That night, my assistant Sam and I went back stage. I've always been intrigued with live performances, there something that is spontaneous and real. She was coming and going with costume changes with different numbers but we keep shooting as she would wink and smile at us. It was a grand experience and I totally loved it. Pictures are under People on this site here.
My family has a place in the desert and I've been going down there for years seeing the interests around Palm Springs, CA. I was married at the time and my wife and I decided to go to a Sonny Bone for Senate Campaign speech. We got there early at the headquarters of his campaign and waited for a hour for him to show up. Finally after some anguished moments he finally shows. I remember a smile that was perpetual with brilliance a bad boy feeling. A good looking guy who was very charming. We positioned ourselves closer to him and waited for the right moment to attack. Drinking wine, eating finger foods and watching the interesting Palm Spring Conservatives. All of a sudden we were face to face with the Sonny " I Got You Babe"' politician! My wife, who was so smooth with the forked tongue started with the conversation by asking him where he bought his suit from that he had on and he mentioned that he found it at a vintage store. I got in for one question while the conversatives conversations became warmer. I told him I was impressed with him running for such an office. He was great! Funny, relaxed, very cool and generous with his time. We wished him luck and told him we would vote for him if we could but since we lived in Oregon, no way. He moved on and so did we with a warm kind of excitement. Took some Bono buttons and a bumper sticker of which I still have to this day. Sad day when Sonny died. I go visit his grave here in Cathedral City and wish him well. Bene!
Warren was photographed for La Blanc Musical instruments in Chicago in a hotel suite. A very low key personality who took directions beautifully. We did head shots of him playing his horn, whatever we created by our energies blending together. All these musicians have definite kind of personality.
I meet Sam while I was working for a high end art gallery in Palo Alto, CA
The owner had represented him and I was in charge of the framing area of the business. One day in comes Sam and the owner, I knew right away this guy was special. The vibes were very intense. He wanted me to frame about ten test pieces of 12X20 inches palette sample of his colors that he mixed and were selling these for $20,000 each. I was so blown away. I did a lot of work with him in the gallery and in one of his many studios several miles away. I liked being around him. He taught me about art presentations in large formats to display. The thing I remember about him most were his great shoes. Drops of paint on white shoes was very brilliant. He'd dress up and always wear those shoes. I think he slept in those shoes. I left the gallery but wished I could have stayed in touch with him. A real character!
The owner had represented him and I was in charge of the framing area of the business. One day in comes Sam and the owner, I knew right away this guy was special. The vibes were very intense. He wanted me to frame about ten test pieces of 12X20 inches palette sample of his colors that he mixed and were selling these for $20,000 each. I was so blown away. I did a lot of work with him in the gallery and in one of his many studios several miles away. I liked being around him. He taught me about art presentations in large formats to display. The thing I remember about him most were his great shoes. Drops of paint on white shoes was very brilliant. He'd dress up and always wear those shoes. I think he slept in those shoes. I left the gallery but wished I could have stayed in touch with him. A real character!
Lenny reped me in Detroit, he had a cousin who was Van Morrison the singer. He came to visit Len one day and joined use for a 3 hours at a local watering hole by the GM Building. He was cool, nice guy, quiet guy.with a lot of talent.
The opportunity to shoot Maynard came with a request by the agency who had the La Blanc Musical Instruments account and wanted to do some ads. I spent the day with him in Chicago where we started in the morning doing head shots, and whatever came to mind. While we were together, I kept on thinking of all the great musicians he placed with in his career.- Stan Kenton, Buddy Rich and more. I saw him when I was young without knowing who he was (he played in The Kenton Band as a member of the group) at the Michigan State Fair Grounds Band shell and was I thrilled to hear him along with Kenton. During our shoot he told me of old traveling days and stories of various muscians of the past. I noticed he had a funny upper lip from playing all those years as well as Dizzy Galespie, Louie Armstrong had also acquired this type of lip. We broke for lunch and I took him to a nice Chicago French restaurant by the name of Chez Paul, where we had a great conversation of his interests in educating school children to a musical career. He traveled all over putting on concerts in high schools. His daughter was with us, his all around gal Friday. After a wonderful lunch we went back shot some more and called it a day till the evening when I was to photograph him in concert. A climax to a brilliant and educational day. Nice guy with a great personality.
Delores Wattich was Mrs.Ted Williams, what a breathtaking woman!. She was hired by the agency for a 1968 Buick catalog with famous people in it. We were in an old rental studio in Detroit called the Ice House, because it was an old ice factory back in its day.I was an assistant at the time and the thrill of working on this project was immense form hot studio lights to long days lighting cars. The photographer I worked with was a perfectionist for detail, so it took forever to do. During the final shoot we had a break for a couple hours, nervously I couldn't pass up the opportunity to ask her if I could do some shots of her. She obliged and like a fumbling idiot, I carried on like I knew what I was doing. It was fun and I was very thrilled by such a stunning model. I had a problem when I was young with beautiful women, I was very shy but was always attracted to them. I knew I needed to shoot them to get rid of the fears I had. Later they had lunch brought in and I just couldn't take my eyes off of her as if being in a trans. The picture I put in the People section of the lady with the dark tan, white earing is her. What a lucky guy to work with such a beauty.
We payed touch football on the front lawn of Robert Taylors home when we were shooting Buick. She stopped by to check us out and we started throwing a football around and they all joined it. Fun stuff. Great way to make a living. Ya... I tackled her a couple times. Very pretty lady. She was on my team.
What a story this is! I was an apprentice working for a studio in Detroit called Studio Place, who had the Buick car account in the late 60's. We were staying at the Bel Air Hotel, a very elegant and beautiful place that is easy to fall in love with. The crew was having lunch in the main restaurant and my boss...Joe, asked me run back to the room and get some layouts for the job. I took off like a flash! As I turned the corner, it was like a blur to me...I ran into the body of a rather small framed gorgeous lady! I felt an abrupt, warm collision of two bodies, my heart was in my throat. We were in a hugging position and looking into each others eyes. I remember those emerald green eyes looking at me and feeling the excitement of a spiritual bodily em-brass. It seemed like it was hours, I quickly stuttered to apologize and asked for forgiveness, she smiled at me and told me she was fine.
Returning back to our table with the layouts, I promptly sat down to start eating. As I looked around I saw her at a table next to us with some friends. I started telling my story to the crew about running into her. They said, "you ran into Greer Garson". Feeling a bit confused...my embarrassment started to show like a wall thermometer. I couldn't take my eyes off of her! She had a light peach colored suit with that red hair was just too much for my eyes. They told me that she lived across the street from the Bel Air Hotel and was in the restaurant several times a week. I walked over to her table as we were leaving and again asked her if she was OK. She asked what we were up to and we chatted for several minutes with an over exuberant feeling of excitement. I've been a fan of hers ever since that day. What a treat! When I see her on the screen just to think, I had her in my arms. What a treat! Oh...those lucky leading men!
Returning back to our table with the layouts, I promptly sat down to start eating. As I looked around I saw her at a table next to us with some friends. I started telling my story to the crew about running into her. They said, "you ran into Greer Garson". Feeling a bit confused...my embarrassment started to show like a wall thermometer. I couldn't take my eyes off of her! She had a light peach colored suit with that red hair was just too much for my eyes. They told me that she lived across the street from the Bel Air Hotel and was in the restaurant several times a week. I walked over to her table as we were leaving and again asked her if she was OK. She asked what we were up to and we chatted for several minutes with an over exuberant feeling of excitement. I've been a fan of hers ever since that day. What a treat! When I see her on the screen just to think, I had her in my arms. What a treat! Oh...those lucky leading men!
Larry is a wonderful gentleman. We meet at the Chicago Symphony Hall, (where he is part of the company),one morning to do a shoot for La Blaunke musical instruments. It's a instrument manufacturer of beautiful tools of the trade for grade and high school bands and orchestras. It was a fun gentleman to work with. Larry and I spent 4 hours roaming the hall shooting all available light portraits and set up products photos. After the session, he took me out to lunch at his favorite place to eat Chez Paul, truly one of Chicagos' finest French restaurants. I've always loved photographing authenticity and natural venues with people. It's a rich experience and gives me light about the lives of such talented people as Larry Combs. Love you and your great playing.
Gardener worked at a gas station in Westwood, CA. He was a model and an actor trying to make it. The photographer, I worked for was a friend of his. We were shooting a car ad and he was a model in the shot. Nice guys, good looking and very smooth. The crew went out to breakfast along with all the models
The Legend...Hank Aaron,when I was asked to photograph the Milwaukee Brewers Baseball Team for a studio I worked for at the time. Remember walking into the locker room and there her was. The greatest of them all!! I explained to him what we were doing and he co-operated with grace. A few shots here, some in the dugout, some with this and some with that, did some nice close up candid head shots. We were getting to the end of our time limit and I remember him pulling out a baseball with a big smile and signing it for me. I really treasured that ball and finally gave it to my son later who sold it on Ebay for 50 bucks. Felt like crying when I found that out! Thank You...Mr. Aaron.
The Golden Bear! Jack is the best. I was having lunch at Pebble Beach cafe and Jack was sitting at the next table. Friendly and very impressed with him. Got his autograph and shook his hand. Never wanted to wash it again.
I painted some rooms in his house in Palo Alto, CA. My interests in painting became a full time job for me for awhile. Nice guy, intense but a nice guy.
This guy is my favorite! Jack was playing at the Pebble Beach Golf Event, He was playing with his son. I was sitting on a park bench taking a break watching all the crowd eating a big ice cream cone when a voice sounded next to me. I looked around... there was Jack Lemmon in the flesh. I tried to be cool but was so excited I could have peed my pants.. I had to ask him what it was like to work with Marilyn Monroe.... Since I'm a big MM fan. He said "It was like being in heaven everyday."
I photographed her at The Riviera Hotel for a brochure I was doing for them. She's so cute, friendly, cooperative and a charm in front of the camera. She never looks bad. Very pretty and a fun gal.
It was at the Bel Air Hotel. Walking around the gardens with Mia Farrow in hand. The were sitting on a bench schmoozing. Oh boy! Wish I had my camera...
Robert Taylor...what a treat this was! It was a Buick Station Wagon catalog back in the late 60's. We shot for a week at his ranch in Pacific Palisades, CA. He liked to kill chickens and drink Maxwell house coffee all day. It was a very exciting time for me. He took us out to lunch one day talked about his life. I liked him! Blue jeans and cowboy shirt everyday. Whatta guy!
Jolting Joe Frazer....Detroit training for a fight. Shot him for Sports Illustrated Magazine. Very exciting for me.
My studio deligated me to cover his campaign when he ran for Govenor of Michigan. I worked with him for months.
Had a great time. Split my pants up the back while bending over for a shot. Later he saw it and laughed. Gave me some money to buy a new pair. Good conservstive guy...wish his son took after him.
Had a great time. Split my pants up the back while bending over for a shot. Later he saw it and laughed. Gave me some money to buy a new pair. Good conservstive guy...wish his son took after him.
Sat next to her eating donuts and coffee on a break. Died....she was so cute and charming.
Worked with Roger on NASCAR while I worked for AMV Corp. in Detroit. Traveled all over during racing season. Intense guy with a good business sense.
Zsa Zsa...Wow...what an experience this was! We were at the Bel Air Hotel in LA. My boss Joe had an opportunity of working with an investment company and they knew Zsa Zsa. They wanted her to be the figurehead personality. They had a big motor home that they did work out of as they're rolling office. I was to drive up to Zsa Zsa's house on a winding road to pick her up with the motor home. I made it to her driveway and parked the thing in front of her door. The house was a very Provincial looking but beautiful pad over looking LA. I rang the bell, rang it again and pause for a second or two....then it open and standing there was Zsa Zsa Gabor in all her glory. My throat got funny and I couldn't talk. I tried to get my message out while she was as graceful with me as a bird. Remembering the wild reds and golds in the interiors entry way to the big living room where I sat down and had some water to drink while I waited for her. All I could remember was "Darling, Darling". She has it built in her vocabulary.
She had a few bags that I offered to carry and out to the motor home we went. Little thinking about what I was headed for. I opened the door on the side and in she went with the help of my arm and hand. Following behind her we got settled for the drive to the location to shoot the advertising. Now... back in those days there were no seat belts. Remember that! Started the thing and made several turns to get out of her driveway and down the road we went...
Zsa Zsa and Jerry...like a married couple driving to our destination down windy Stone Canyon Road in Bel Air. If they could only see me know back in Big D (Detroit).
We started talki8ng about what we were doing and I told her we were there for several months shooting Buick. As we hit the first turn we kinda swerved a little and I could she her hanging on and the high pitch accent even got louder. Turn after turn going downhill, I could feel the tension increasing in the front seat. She asked me to pull over and she wanted to sit in the back of the coach, so I did. She moved from the front seat to the back and off we went again. Laurel and Hardy at the scene. Finally we made it to the Bel Air Hotel down the road and meet the rest of the people. A little relieved while I waited for everyone to talk and off we were again going to the Bel Air Country Gold Course a little further down the road.
Now we have 6 people in the back with Zsa Zsa and tasting some champagne that they brought. Glasses, bodies flying everywhere and Zsa Zsa amongst them. "Darling...can you drive any better" came aloud and clear. 'I'm trying"...and I was. These suspension in those days were very still and it swayed a lot. I looked throught the mirror that everybody was hanging on for dear life, trying not to spill their drinks. After 45 minutes of this ...we made it. Finally!
We did the photography of which Zsa Zsa is such a beautiful lady to photograph. No bad camera angles that were bad. She was all relaxed by now and off we were to Zsa Zsa's house for a little gathering. "Everybody aboard".. I yelled and it reminded me of a bunch of circus clowns getting into the small car. Made it back to her house and a lot of laughs from both sides. A true lovely sport and very charming to spend the day with.
Photos below of property owned by Zsa Zsa's house.
She had a few bags that I offered to carry and out to the motor home we went. Little thinking about what I was headed for. I opened the door on the side and in she went with the help of my arm and hand. Following behind her we got settled for the drive to the location to shoot the advertising. Now... back in those days there were no seat belts. Remember that! Started the thing and made several turns to get out of her driveway and down the road we went...
Zsa Zsa and Jerry...like a married couple driving to our destination down windy Stone Canyon Road in Bel Air. If they could only see me know back in Big D (Detroit).
We started talki8ng about what we were doing and I told her we were there for several months shooting Buick. As we hit the first turn we kinda swerved a little and I could she her hanging on and the high pitch accent even got louder. Turn after turn going downhill, I could feel the tension increasing in the front seat. She asked me to pull over and she wanted to sit in the back of the coach, so I did. She moved from the front seat to the back and off we went again. Laurel and Hardy at the scene. Finally we made it to the Bel Air Hotel down the road and meet the rest of the people. A little relieved while I waited for everyone to talk and off we were again going to the Bel Air Country Gold Course a little further down the road.
Now we have 6 people in the back with Zsa Zsa and tasting some champagne that they brought. Glasses, bodies flying everywhere and Zsa Zsa amongst them. "Darling...can you drive any better" came aloud and clear. 'I'm trying"...and I was. These suspension in those days were very still and it swayed a lot. I looked throught the mirror that everybody was hanging on for dear life, trying not to spill their drinks. After 45 minutes of this ...we made it. Finally!
We did the photography of which Zsa Zsa is such a beautiful lady to photograph. No bad camera angles that were bad. She was all relaxed by now and off we were to Zsa Zsa's house for a little gathering. "Everybody aboard".. I yelled and it reminded me of a bunch of circus clowns getting into the small car. Made it back to her house and a lot of laughs from both sides. A true lovely sport and very charming to spend the day with.
Photos below of property owned by Zsa Zsa's house.
z Backstage at the Masconic Temple in Detroit. Picture above shoot on stage from behind group performing live.. Went to see her in person at the Fox Theater in Detroit promoting "Macomba Love" Shot pics sitting a table signing autographs with my friend Johnny While Jay Sebring is usually credited as the inspiration for Warren Beatty's "George Roundy," in Shampoo, the real inspiration was one Gene Shacove. He even played himself (uncredited) in "Wild in the Streets." He practically invented the term "celebrity hairdresser"; made friends with world-famous personalities, often becoming their long time stylist and confidant, an association that granted him a movie star's social life.Gene also owned the Candy Store, the 1960s and '70s-era night club he operated beneath his Rodeo Drive salon, a move that made him the center of social L.A ... Gene lived in his beautiful Bel Air home on Stone Canyon Road. I first meet Gene while shooting Susy Parker for the cover of a Buick catalog in LA, CA. He was her hairstylist. Shot at his house various time. He'd drive his motorcycle into his living room every day from his studio. Very nice guy. BFather Joseph Dustin recording his Album "Father's Day" This album is filled with rollicking, happy toe-tapping music of Father Joseph Dustin, C.S.S.R. ... a Redemptorist Priest who carries a Breviary in one hand and his Vega plectrum banjo in the other. He doesn't believe in mixing his vocations, so don't expect a message or a sermon. Instead you'll find this album is a memorial to many years of making people happy with his music, played only the way Father can play it. I first meet Father when I first started on my own and someone mentioned if I would do this for Father. Me being hungry and ambitious, did it. Father came in one day and we just started shooting for hours while he played songs of Dixieland. He's great! Lots of fun and a wonderful peaceful presence. We did this back in Detroit in the the 60's. My first LP Album cover, of which I haven't found until lately. Trying to find out if Father is alive. Bless him. Photos below of what I could find of this event. The cover on the left is artwork. Bless you Father...you're a good man of God. The big 53. |
Drove the AMC'c Matador for Roger Penske and American Motors Corp.