  |
 |
||||||||||||||||||
February 24
More vintage pictures of your heroes from my forthcoming book
February 23
Jeff Beck at the O2, Indigo. See more...
Rehearsals
The show
February 21
Read the Observer's New Review section which has a new design and is very good. A cold damp Sunday, I've been reading and playing cds. The new Jeff Beck album, Led Zeppelin, Empire Strikes Back - Empire Pool Wembley '71, where Robert Plant shouts 'Do you want to get warm?' as they blast into Whole Lotta Love. Jimmy Page told me the reason the show was so cold was there was ice skating in the arena and the Empire pool wouldn't put on any heating. I remember the show being freezing, sitting on wooden chairs over the ice in late November. Plus LZ's Rampaging Cajun, a soundboard cd from '75, it has a good Dazed And Confused.
Back to the Sunday papers - I wish I lived somewhere WARM...
February 19
Thirty years ago today Bon Scott died. Thirty years - it just doesn't seem to be so long ago. I took a photo of Bon and Pete Way backstage at the Hammersmith Odeon, I honestly can't remember if it was the same night or a couple of nights before. Whichever it ended up being the last photo of Bon, and lately I'm been playing Highway To Hell a lot.
Had dinner with Kazuyo ( late birthday dinner) in my old haunting ground of Raynes Park, with Northern Jon who looked at Kazuyo with lust after a couple of pints of red wine - yuk! Enough to put you off the food, but then again John Bionelli thinks Kaz is gorgeous. Some people need glasses. I sat with the sexy Phoebe Sinclair who looked at me with lust, not that I blame her.
February 18
General Noriega left today, a sad farewell but I made him clean my house first. And he did it with enthusiasm, unlike Kazuyo who just says 'NO!' to the simplest request - like cleaning the toilet.
Had the Aerosmith office on the phone wanting photos for ads etc, as Steven and Joe are going to slug it out on stage for you all to watch. Kazuyo says the tour is called "ikari makuri", or Fists Of Fury, or perhaps "aishitemasu" - We Love You. After being told this they need photos, photos, photos - NOW!
And it started raining again. Jesus HATES you, he really does. "No rain no rain no rain - I think that's in Woodstock and that didn't work, or Jesus hated the dirty hippies...
Watched a few films, or tried to. Brother's War - a cheap budget war film which look liked it was all filmed in the same field and with terrible cgi affects. Then Confucius (sent to me from Beijing by my friend Dom) which was nearly impossible to watch as the subtitles were so small you needed to be an inch from the screen. I ogled Zhou Xun for a bit then put on Mulan (a pirate dvd from Thailand). It had the stunning Vicki Zhao but the problem was the subtitles again, which said things like "Bring the cars" and "Order me a taxi". Bear in mind this is set in 500BC. I ended up watching one Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest on Sky HD. I last saw it at the Wimbledon ABC in 1975...
Here's some of the Aerosmiths from their past, unapproved by the five of them, or the ten of them if you include wives and girlfriends
And a bit more Jeff Beck and band from the 02
February 16
Some more Metallica from my archive
February 15
Here are some vintage Metallica pictures, some previously unseen. Printed for my new book, The Ultimate Metallica, available later this year.
And here are some pictures from my trip through London last night
February 14
Valentines Day, "groan", flowers, cards, "I love you" (when you don't mean it) and all that rubbish. Vows you don't keep. I know, I've had GFs since I got divorced (from the EVIL one). And also JB and EC's VD lovefest at the 02.
Got lost again on the way and had to ring Matt Kent for more help. The south circular is shite, if I could work it out the journey isn't bad. Ended up in the midst of what looked like a war near Crystal Palace. It turned out to be Villa versus CPFC - animals walking the streets, drinking and chanting. I stopped a policeman to ask the way, he turned out to be my friend Clyde. He looked at the scene, 'Lock your doors and get out of here...'
Finally got there and did some set up stuff of Jeff and Rhonda Smith (bassist) and Michael Walden (drummer). Pete Makowski was with me, got very excited and pointed out Michael had played with the Mahavishnu Orchestra and Tommy Bolin, all of Pete's fave 70s bands.
Better to shoot Jeff tonight, only me and Kazuyo there. As Jeff came off I got introduced to Eric Clapton and took some photos of them together, then hung out in Jeff's dressing room. Ronnie Wood turned up. Chatted to him, took some photos of him and his new girlfriend. Bryan Ferry was in the crowd singing along enthusiastically and rocking back and forth to Cocaine. I enjoyed him more than Eric. Watched a couple of numbers of Jeff and Eric - I figured Moon River was the time to leave...
Couldn't get into EC, it was too perfect. Kazuyo said 'Like listening to the radio.' Oliver (my child) was there - he got told off for talking during EC. 'Isn't it supposed to be a rock show?' he said to me. A show maybe - take out the Rock bit.
Stopped on the Embankment opposite the London Eye, lit up in red for VD. Messed around taking some night photosacross the Thames. Found a Battle Of Britain memorial I didn't even know existed - took a few photos. Something I'dlike to see in daylight and when it's not freeeeeeeeezing.
Played Rampant by Nazareth on the way home. The new edition has an in concert from the BBC from the Razamanaz tour. I saw this tour when they opened for Deep Purple at the Rainbow in 1972. The photos from the show ended up on the Razamanaz album cover and the Deep Purple show had the picture on the cover of Made In Japan (UK pressing), both taken by Fin Costello and one of the reasons I wanted to be a photographer. The annoying bit was Pete singing along over Dan McCafferty's voice in a Polish Ealing accent (Dan's Scottish). Go and get it for the BBC In Concert.
After a bit of rock played as it was the early hours the new Peter Gabriel Scratch My Back cd. It is truly beautiful music, quite moving. Pete hated it, 'It drones on,' he moaned. I loved it, get it and play The Power Of The Heart. Perfect VD music - must tell my GF I love her...
February 13
Off to the 02. I had directions from Matt Kent as it's his manor (speaking in the native tongue of the south east). I still got lost. I had to ring him in the middle of a Millwall game where he sounded like he was in the midst of a war, like all good Millwall fans. He guided me there in between threatening and swearing at the other team, as one does- a big thank you. The strange part is I've lived in South London all my life and still get lost past Croydon and if I head east of Finsbury Park it's the same. I think I know LA better...
Got there in time for Jeff Beck's soundcheck and shot a bit of it. His show was good - nice lights, nice pit to shoot in, good new band. Jeff seemed to enjoy it. I gave Jeff a print of him sound asleep from Baron Wolman taken with the Jeff Beck group in 1968. Chatted with Jeff while he warmed up before playing again with EC. He told me he liked It Might Get Loud, watching Jimmy playing his Link Ray Rumble record. Jeff even played a bit before blasting out Moon River. Blasting maybe isn't the right word... Took some photos of Jeff with Joss Stone and his new band, plus Sharon Corr.
Then shot Eric Clapton and Jeff onstage. The show finished with Hi Ho Silver Lining - both of them singing. I met Tracy Ulmann after the show who was friendly, she'd come to see JB.
February 9
Jeff Beck at the O2 Indigo. See more...
A lot of people ask me what camera I use - why/how/what etc? I must recommend Fixation (in Vauxhall, London) who have supplied me with cameras for the past twenty years. They have everything you need and can advise and help you far better than I ever could.
While I was looking at the train map in Vauxhall station I was accosted by a group of children between 14-16 years old.They were abusive, swearing and screaming - the railway staff ignored them. I got pissed off and asked the station manager to call the police. 'Why? They won't do anything and the kids do it at the entrance so we can't do anything.' The station staff's apathy was appalling, I wanted to be Charles Bronson and annihilate them all.
Spent this afternoon at the 02 shooting Jeff Beck rehearsing with his new band. He even played a bit of Voodoo Chile, Slight Return and the beginning of The Meeting Of The Spirits (Mahavishnu Orchestra), note for note perfectly and he was just messing around. To finish I did a quick shot with him in the dressing room for some Japanese newspapers.
I keep getting mail about what I think about The Who at the Superbowl. It varies from fan worship to outright hatred. Does it matter what I think? I'm biased - I'm a Who fan!
I only watched it on YouTube. Thought it looked great but The Who's light show is always the same and has got boring, to say the least - two white follow spots from above (which is unflattering at their age - I know, I do this for a living), no coloured light, lots of video projecting, and it never changes. To me it looks like a VH1/MTV tv show.
The Superbowl had everything a rock show should have had. The stage looked spectacular, lots of smoke to show the lights - the pyro was overdone and corny but so what, it's in a stadium. Pete Townshend played great. I enjoyed it and what do they have to prove? Nothing. I may be biased as my view always goes back to seeing them as a teenager, and in their day they were the Greatest Rock And Roll Band In The World. Are they now? What does it matter? They played a medley of hits, but what else would you expect in twelve minutes at half time, a medley of new songs? And anyway, does it REALLY matter what any of you saddos think - get off your forums and start a life...
More of my travels. The sky is over Siberia flying east, I like this time, between night and day. The others are Bangkok - the fireworks are my first picture of 2010. See more...
February 8
E from the Eels shot at his home in rainy Los Angeles in January. I'd forgotten I'd taken these - it seems years ago. See more...
Neal Schon, also from a wet Sunset Marquis Hotel in LA. See more...
Slash again from a wet LA.... See more...
Mr O Halfin, Mr R Halfin, and Mr J P Page, photographed last month.
February 5
General Noriega gave me a present today - Jeff Beck's Beck-Ola on Odeon Records, blood red vinyl with OBI original pressing. Just after he gave me this I spoke to Harvey Goldsmith (Jeff's manager) who asked me to shoot Jeff's shows with EC next week. Strange how some things follow each other...
Going to go for a wander with the General in Soho tomorrow to look at records.
Oliver Halfin Thailand last month, plus Mrs Halfin. And Peter Makowski's girlfriend, Pern, looking happy. Thailand last month...
Fuji was a Japanese restaurant. I liked the colour of the sign. The Island is the bottom end of Japan flying from Bangkok to Tokyo.
Grey clouds in landing in rainy Los Angeles.
February 4
Drove to Wembley with my posse of Jimmy Page, General Noriega, Gordon Gheller. Okay, I didn't drive, Kazuyo did. We went to see Rammstein. I have to say it is one of the best visual shows I have ever seen - fantastic light show. I was supposed to have shot it but being a bunch of Germans it was deemed I cannot be trusted and had to sign a contract selling my life away, which I refused. I got an email telling me this. Typical of dealing with Germans - everything is a problem and they nitpick every detail. I mean, don't they realise we (okay, my dad) liberated them from Adolf ? Ordnung Muss Sein...
Some travel from Thailand. See more...
And China. See more...
February 3
Home on the range. Landed at 6am - still dark and it's cold and damp.
Spent today sorting out post - magazines etc. I have a load of photos to go through but am feeling too "spaced" at the moment and it's now noon. Read Pete Makowski's Aerosmith/Joe Perry feature in Classic Rock which is very very good and all true, even with the best bits left out for legal reasons.
General Noriega is arriving from Japan later today, much to the dismay of my other half. Like Robinson Crusoe I need my man Friday...
Slash shot in LA - I just like this photo he's always on his blackberry
It Might Get Loud Cover for all you boring budding guitarists, shot when I was still young. And instead of boring bands here's some far more exotic covers from the East - Koyuki Kato, Gong Li, and Zhang Ziyi.
A bit more of Joe Perry...
February 2
Pete and I looked around Khao San again with our friend Michael who had Medusa by Trapeze playing in his car (you can here early Iron Maiden here). Mel Galley and Glenn Hughes play with lots of space, we blasted it out while cruising the wide French-style Thai boulevards (a bit like the Champs Elysees. I also heard Captain Beyond which was dated, and two records I've never heard. Pete said 'If my record collection and music ended in 1976 I'd be happy, there's nothing of real merit after...'
I gave a man begging with two children sleeping on the road some money. Came back and he'd disappeared. A Tut Tut driver motioned to a bar and pulled a face. Pete thought I shouldn't photograph the homeless - I disagree. What are you meant to show, just sunny days? Under a railway bridge we watched a blind band play. It was surprising, with poor equipment the guitarist had a good sound, playing Paranoid - imagine hearing it in rush hour by a station in 95f with a little girl singer who sang in perfect American English. We went down the river came back an hour later and they were still going.
This morning Peter and I visited the Siriraj Medical Museum which has a forensic department full of body parts. Heads of mass murderers and rapists, including the blood-stained and torn clothes of the victims, lots of police photos of victims, murder weapons. There were lots of bodies of baby's floating in formaldehyde.Peter flatly refused to let me take photos, 'You are going to hell with Jimmy Page!' At least I'll have company. The strange part was we had to go through the emergency ward to get to it. Blood and death, the black museum. It is gruesome - and the highlight of our trip to Thailand.
Well, if I'm honest Peter and I thought walking across the Kwai was the best part of the trip. I was going to Burma, got my visa in a day then couldn't get the internal travel to link up as I had to work, so I'll try to go in a couple of months.
Off home tonight to the land of the ice and snow.
February 1
I've been in Bangkok with whinging travel writer Peter Makowski, who's writing a piece on BK and what to do for four days.
Went to Ayathaya at dawn, left at 3am arrived when it was still dark and silent then as light creeps in you hear the countryside wake up. All the animal noises arrive, which seems strange. Pete was freaking out as I was walking into Wat Ayathaya, 'Don't, you'll get bitten by snakes (our driver was worried and had a torch), I don't have travel insurance!'. It was truly perfect at dawn, no one but us. No hawkers trying to sell rubbish, just the old world and the morning slowly getting warmer in the morning light with the sticky heat creeping in.
Thought we'd try the modern world in the afternoon at Siam Mall. There was no one over twenty one - we stood out like two old perverts. It was as if we'd arrived in a rich Thai teenagers world, all the shops were expensive.
At night looked at Khao San Road, one of the oldest parts of the city. It was backpacker land, rooms for a hundred baht loads of twenty year olds drinking, bars with Australian singers playing Sweet Child Of Mine and, even worse, Summer Of 69 and Creep. It would have sounded okay if you'd been drinking - if you're twenty you'd love it - a lot of Thai teens were there. Pete met a girl he knew from a massage place. He asked what she was doing. 'First I'm gonna get fucking pissed then go to a fucking club then have a fucking dance. I speak good English, I lived in Portsmouth...' Obviously.
I walked parallel to it on the main road and saw the real underbelly of Bangkok. People sleeping on the pavement with transexual whores every ten feet. I took a photo of an old man sleeping by an ATM machine while a young girl drew money out. Opposite, by the river, was a huge market where Thais bought all sorts of junk, hundreds of people and we were the only "Fereng". It lead to the Maharat flower market which goes on for 24 hours. It was "Real", that's the best word.
Drove out to Kanchanaburi to the War Graves Cemetery. I'd gone this time last year. Peter wasn't into it, he felt awkward, 'I don't like cemeteries,' he said. I found it moving and sad. We both walked over the bridge on the River Kwai. Lots of Chinese and Thai tourists, it seemed a popular spot. Pete and I both thought the bridge had a vibe, if that's the right word.
There is on youtube Chris Cornell playing When I'm Down at the Troubabour. It is excellent and so was his last album, Scream. Okay, half of it is good. Been playing these, amongst other things
Soundgarden - Like Suicide, Jesus Christ Pose
Rod Stewart - Every Picture Tells a Story which is one of my all time songs
Free, All Right Now - one of the best pop singles ever
Aerosmith - Rats In The Cellar, before Steven Tyler thought he was Britney Spears and Joe Perry had little Adolf in his solo band
The Allman Brothers - Whipping Post.
Read in The Guardian that guitarist Mick Green had died. I saw him at the Boom Boom club in Sutton with Jimmy Page. Mick had full on attack in his style of playing. Jimmy told me he'd taken Jeff Beck to see him play in their youth. I shot the Pirates with Mick quite a bit around 1977 when I worked for Sounds.
New Joe Perry covers shot last year in Los Angeles, plus Ginger Baker being miserable at the world...
 |
 |
 |
 |
|---|
 |
 |
