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October 28
Had a day of travelling yesterday, a horrid day. Up at 4am, Brian Wheat took me to the airport for a 5am flight to Chicago, with a four hour wait there then on to London. I was so tired I couldn't even read. Took some photos taking off out of Sacramento...
Here's dawn over Lake Tahoe shot at 6am. I'm trying to show the photographs as paintings - ethereal and slightly un-worldly.
Brian and I in Los Angeles, shot by Michelle Berry
Spent yesterday wandering around Sacramento with Brian and I never thought I'd say this but the city has some good shops and is fun to walk around. Particularly good secondhand bookshops - I got hardback first editions of Shoah by Claude Lanzmann (best book ever on the Holocaust), Bat Chain Puller by Kurt Loder (which has an interview with Pete Townshend from 1982 where he says if it was only Roger and I it would never be or be called The Who and wouldn't be The Who...), plus a great interview with a drunk and belligerent Mel Gibson on the set of Mad Max, Careless Love by Peter Guralnick, and The Unmaking Of Elvis Presley, all for $5.00 each.
Plus it is record heaven found Grand Funk - Shinin 'On, with the awful 3D cover with poster, mint for $2.99 and a mint, unplayed George Harrision - All Things Must Pass for $15. Brian sadly bought every Wings LP on vinyl but redeemed himself by buying a record deck. He took me to a great Spanish restaurant, as good as being in Spain.
October 25
Went from Los Angeles to Sacramento driving along a road called I-5 - straight for four hundred miles. My chauffeur/personal photographer Brian Wheat drove, while I had a nap. He woke me for a gourmet meal at IHop-International House Of Pancakes, it was truly awful.
We drove through thousands and thousands of perfectly aligned fruit trees of every type you can imagine, just like in the Grapes Of Wrath. Shot some clouds along the way. It looked very wild west - seriously, I wouldn't have been surprised to see a wagon train.
An evening of ribs and sashimi at Kru, Brian's Tesla Roll restaurant, then found myself with Brian at Safeway at midnight (don't ask), which was full of loonies. Los Angeles seems sane compared to here. But I will say Sacramento is entertaining...
October 24
Woke up thinking about painting, in fact felt I inspired to paint something which I will do as soon as I'm home. I'd started a portrait a while ago now I want to finish it.
Saw Paul Stanley and family at my hotel. He looked super fit, the best I've seen him in years. Joe Elliott came over for a coffee to see Brian Wheat and we all caught up. Joe was saying have good the last Kiss album was... Spoke to Paul and it was really good to catch up with him. Paul's a good painter so maybe that's why I started thinking about it again. Really good to see him.
Went out to the Gene Autry Museum to look at the Fredrick Remington paintings which surprised me by being painted in various shades of grey, and a NC Wyeth which was in vivid colours. In one case was Buffalo Bill's fringed jacket. I was impressed, lots of Winchester rifles and a 7th Calvary troopers hat from the Little Big Horn, plus lots of war clubs used to smash soldiers heads in before a scalping - great stuff. The best part was a life-size Lone Ranger poster from the 50s and his original outfit - it took me back to being four years old.
I'd gone out to Valencia yesterday with Brian to booking agent Steve Strange's house warming party. Brian drove while I leant out of the window shooting the clouds as we zoomed across the valley. Got there to find we were the first and Steve was already enjoying his liquid BBQ. It turned out Bobby Blotzer from Ratt lived across the street and the original line up of Dokken were coming - my past was coming back to life. Vivian Campbell arrived then Ricky Warwick who I spent most of the time chatting with. Then the singer of Sweet Savage who told me I was legendary (I should have asked what for) and it was an honour to meet me. I'm sure I'd have let him down, although if people say hello I try to be friendly-ish.
Off to Sacramento tomorrow, going to drive up and shoot some travel along the way.
October 22
A day spent with my good friend Brian Wheat. We just cruised around LA after a morning at the Equinox gym. I made him go shopping for clothes. We ended up in Ameoba looking around. I found Yesterdays By Yes on vinyl, mint for $3.99, with the inner sleeve.Yes,boring, I know, if you're not into it. I love a record sleeve, something intrinsic about holding it - even youthful.
Shot the palm trees looking west from my room, it had the look of winter, a slight bleakness.
Spent the evening with the Wheats at the Soho House, quite fantastic. I had brussel sprouts, they were amazing - it made a change from Sushi. After buying a Yes album today I ran into Chris Squire at my hotel on my way back to my room. I was tempted to tell him but then I thought he'd think I was a loonie...
October 21
Off to Los Angeles this morning to shoot some travel photos in and around town, looking forward to it.
Here are some more of Oliver and Ross - real rock gods - in the far east, of London...
Plus the new issue of the art magazine LID which has a great portfolio from the Jimmy Page Book, finishing with Jimmy's favourite photo, by me, of course... Available from www.lidmagazine.net
October 17
A quite beautiful Sunday in London and I went off to the city with Oliver to take photos. I was showing him how to shoot portraiture with various lenses. We ended up on the East End bank of the Thames as the tide was out, shooting with the last light of the day. Afterwards we walked over the Millennium Bridge and along the South Bank to the BFI shop. We had dinner overlooking the Thames then came home on the train like a pair of tourists. The part about London I still like is you can have lived here all your life and still go and discover more.
Ross and Oliver Halfin photographed by Gustavo Guerrero
October 16
Ian and Trudi Hunter had invited me to the BFI Festival on the Southbank at Waterloo to see the film Mott The Hoople, so I invited Jimmy Page and off we went. The BFI is a nice venue with a good shop selling books and DVDs on all the Art House films that I love and the films are cheap - go and have a look. I'm going to have a longer look tomorrow.
Mick Ralphs was there and Verden Allen, Blue Weaver and the annoying Luther Grosvenor who still seems to think he is the biggest rock star on planet earth. The film took me back to being a teenager again - Mott The Hoople, you can't help but love them. The sound was excellent, it made me want to go home and play The Moon Upstairs and Mad Shadows.
There was a question and answer with the audience afterwards. The questions were so moronic that I felt sorry for Mick and Ian. People ask the most banal things such as 'Tell us a joke,' and 'Do you like this song by the Clash?' 'When are you reforming?' What this has to do with the film - people are just stupid.
Finished the evening talking with Mick Ralphs and Ian who I asked where the photos on Wildlife were shot. He remembered and told me - a real fan moment for me and a great night out, me with my childhood heroes. I have been asked several times if I still enjoy what I do, tonight I couldn't have enjoyed my job more and I didn't even have a camera...
October 13
Met up with my friend Ulf Zick and his partner Bonna for an early dinner at The Soho House. My son Oliver came along - strange to think I'd be hanging out with him at twenty three, but I had a wonderful time with him. We were joined by the always late Dave Brolan and Jimmy Page.
I enjoyed the Soho House. The upstairs bit past the bar was nice to hang out in. Ulf and Bonna went to the "Jungle" to see Axl and back up band at the 02 while Oliver, Jimmy and I looked around Soho , Jimmy pointing out where the Marquee Club was, me telling my son about Soho in the good old days. Or bad old days - depends on your view point. The days when I was young and stupid, I suppose.
As we were walking through the back of Carnaby Street I ran into a lubricated Luke Morley and Pete Shoulder. I'd spoken to Luke on the way in to London earlier about lunch next week, a strange bit of synchronicity. Luke had not seen Oliver since 1995 when he was eight and had posed with Thunder (in my back garden) for a photo that was used in The Best Of Thunder Cd. Luke said 'Oliver, I know this must sound really boring, but you've grown...'
Must go out with Oliver more often, he was charming - made me feel good about being a father.
Some more travel from my book ROSS HALFIN TRAVELS - I'll put details and a link of how to order it next week.
The Petronas Towers, Kuala Lumpur - to me this is more like Fritz Lang's Metropolis than Dubai.
Las Vegas, the cheap-looking future in the desert.
Temple of Borobudur in Yogjakarta - I'm not convinced this should be in the book. Shot at 7.30 am and it was still too late - needs to be photographed at dawn.
October 10
10-10-10, a day of good luck in the East and a beautiful day in London. I'm sick with a chest infection, not dying, just feeling rotten. Well, perhaps I am dying, but you cannot argue with a sunny day. In the winter, which is coming fast, the sun's light seems cutting, almost sharp light and shade in primary colours, hanging in the air then gone with no lingering colour, just flat tones - fascinating light.
Made myself go out, went to the National Army Museum in Chelsea to look at the paintings. The rifles and bayonets were huge and daunting. The uniforms were amazing as well, blood red to Army greens, browns and khaki. I must go back again, I could look for hours.
In the cold winter light I photographed a gargoyle I'd seen above a house in Chelsea over the years. There was something about it I liked - with the shadows it looked as if it was melting into the top of the house. Walked along Sloane Street to finish the afternoon in Harvey Nichols drinking coffee.
Came home and drove to Islington with Dave Brolan (which took two hours over the Westway due to a car crash, at one point the traffic was so claustrophobic I nearly had a panic attack - I wanted to get out of the car and leave it on the Westway) to see Ian Hunter at the Union Chapel, an old Church in Islington. Great venue. I loved the fact Ian ignored his set list and played what he felt like at the end of the show - All the Way From Memphis and a moving Michael Picasso to which he said 'I have to play this song here.' A totally different show to Brighton - Sea Diver with a string quartet sounded just wonderful in a church...
"On morning shadows you were ill-spent"
October 9
The man with the "Evil" twinkle. Shot by Brian Wheat and in dire need of a good clean up...
And after a good clean up, ready for a night of "Twinkling"...
October 8
Summer's returned to England, a hot sunny Friday. Met Luke Morley for a coffee and a catch up on our past evil ways - I now am a child of God and well behaved. I did speak to an old female aquantaince from my past who said I looked okay, and still had that "twinkle" in my eye, so maybe my evil ways are still there and I'm just kind of good.
I have to say London is a wonderful city when the sun is shining.
I dug out some LPs I didn't want and traded them in Soho - here's what I got
Ian Hunter, All-American Alien Boy
MC5, Kick Out The Jams and Back In The USA. I love the cover photo by Stephen Paley.
Motorhead, Motorhead 12 Inch Single
Kiss, Hotter Than Hell, worth it just for the cover.
Hookfoot, Headlines, never ever seen this before
Led Zeppelin, Whole Lotta Outtakes
Adam Faith, Adam Faith, still sealed - it was £1.00
I did consider a mint Mono first press of Jethro Tull, This Was for £250, then went home and looked and found out I have first pressings in Mono and Stereo - funny what you find at home...
Might go and shoot a bit of the city on Sunday if the light is still nice - Matt Kent pointed out I'd probably be arrested under the anti-terrorism act. He does tend to look on the bright side., but he may be right - see you all in jail.
A couple of books I've been reading - The Fall, Guillermo Del Toro and Another Bloody Love Letter, Anthony Loyd.
Friday night and The Thin Red Line on DVD, a film to make you think...
October 5
Drove down to Brighton to the Komedia to see Ian Hunter. I've been good about my diet lately but gave in to the temptation of fish and chips and I enjoyed every morsel. Felt a bit guilty afterwards so bought some wine gums to give balance to my diet...
Ian opened his set with Sea Diver, a slow-building ballad and my all time favourite Mott song. He played a lot of his last album, Man Overboard, which was good. During Walking With A Mountain I was smiling so much - Ian made me realise why I liked music in the first place.There something so real about Ian Hunter that very few other bands have - and he did a great Sweet Jane.
Saw Trudy, Ian's wife, who took me to say hello after the show. I was talking with Ian for at least an hour about Keith Moon, Guy Stevens, how bad Atomic Rooster were, and even PJ Proby. A fantastic show and a great evening out.
The fantastic Ian Hunter, Walking With A Mountain - he was amazing.
This Is Rock with Jimmy Page, shot a little while ago. I like this kind of cover, it's about the photo and not the copy - white, clean and neat.
October 3
Tired after a long night out. Rotten rainy day, still raining. Went up to Marylebone High Street for a look in Daunt Books. I could spends hours in there. Bought some more oil paints on a whim, should do a bit more painting - and I will do.
Late afternoon the sun came out, strange, earlier in the day I'd been playing My Friend The Sun by Family. "My friend the sun who's well on the run"... Staying in tonight to finish the copy for my travel book. It's hard to write stuff without sounding pretentious or too flippant and I want to look back on this book in a few years and like what I write.
October 2
London was rain like in Blade Runner - non-stop depressing rain. If anyone says they like it they are plainly stupid.
Met my friend Gordon Gheller and we went off to the far north to see The Union at The Garage in Islington. It was raining so much I couldn't see out of the taxi where we were going. The last time I was at the Garage was about twenty years ago and when I drank so I only had a vague memory of going there before - I can't even remember who I saw. I do remember it was a dump with a low stage.
Coming in I found it had been renovated and was like a music venue should be - nice stage, lights, good view, even security were okay. Went to see Luke Morley who I caught up with on everyone we know and like, and don't like. Good to see him, I've known Luke a long time. Pete Shoulder seemed nice as well and made a point of thanking us for coming. Great band - great album and the sound was perfect. Pete had an instant rapport with the crowd in a friendly Mott The Hoople way. I ilked them.
Gordon was determined that I come out all night and have - how can I put this - "A rock and roll party" as it was Saturday night. We headed to Sketch which was good. I met the actress Katie McGrath who told me she was Morgan le Fey in Merlin, the TV series. Katie was good company down to earth and fun.
Somehow I was talked into going to Bungalow 8, the trendy members-only bar. It was like being stuck in a cellar with nice wallpaper and music that would not stop.People seem to think turning it up makes things better. At one point a girl climbed a lap dancing pole and did ballet poses, for what purpose defeats me.
Finished the night by accident at Sting's birthday party, with the likes of Kevin Spacy, Richard E. Grant, Mike Figgis who was with the most beautiful and elegant Asian girl I have ever seen. I have only ever seen one other girl as stunning as her and that was Yukiko Nakamura who was an air hostess for Virgin - who I tried to chat up and got nowhere. She stopped me dead and I kind of stared at her like a loony but I enjoyed my little bit of voyeurism. I do use my eyes so why not look at someone you can dream of...?
October 1
Rain, rain and more rain. October is here.
Had a load of emails telling me the news about Brian Wheat, apparently it's all over YouTube. Brian was in New York while his beautiful house caught fire. His studio was burnt down and he lost a lot of personal stuff. Brian is a really good friend, I wish him all the best. I really do feel for him and his wife Monique, it's absolutely awful. Why people want to post your house burning down on YouTube is beyond me.
I did an interview about Progrock with Dave Ling - coming your way soonish.
Me with Mott's Mad Shadow's looking "Mad", perhaps I should smile.
Photographed at home with my LPs by Kazuyo Horie who tells me not to smile, she says I don't mean it. Hmmmm, she may have a point...
My travel book is called Ross Halfin Travels, out soon. Here's some photos from Bali. The idea I'm trying to convey with them is that you are taken to another place from another time, where you can think - good things and maybe dream, and most of all want to go there.
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