May 9th from 7:00-11:00 pm! Equator Books on Kinney in Venice, California! Come see my show if you are in town!!

Michael and Liza 1980:

I was shooting this evening for the P.R. department of then Columbia Records. It was at the Universal Amphitheater and I remember David Geffen was somehow involved with the event. Back then, Michael did not travel with a gang of bodyguards and umbrellas. Liza had been performing that evening and she gave Michael a bit hug just for my camera.

Michael Jackson At Chasen’s Restaurant 1978:

Yes, believe it or not, this is Michael Jackson. I am not a fan of Michael Jackson. I met him a few times over the years, once with Tatum O’Neal and at a bunch of parties. This photo was taken on the sidewalk at the old Chasen’s Restaurant. They had the best chili and fried chicken. The party was for some award show and once again the photos inside were boring. What I like about this photograph is the stain on the sidewalk.

Elvis: RIP 1977:

I never laid eyes on Elvis, but I certainly tried. A photo of him with anyone, or even solo in his later years, was worth more than a photograph of Britney Spears in today’s market. I was sent to Memphis to cover the funeral by ”Bunte,” a weekly German magazine. It was one of my first trips out of town and certainly, looking back, one of the most important. The National Enquirer had dispatched a Swat Team to dig up dirt and to get a photo of him in the coffin. I was busy shooting the crowd of fans. It was August and just broiling with heat and humidity. The kid selling the newspaper was doing brisk business. I think the paper was originally for sale for a dime and he wanted a buck. I took two.

Elvis RIP 1977:

This was my first out-of-town assignment and I was 19 years old. I had always wanted to photograph Elvis, but no such luck. There were always Elvis alerts stating he was at this studio or that night club, but it was never meant to be for me to take his photo. This Memphis image was taken on a hot and muggy afternoon outside Graceland, the day before the funeral. Something just struck me about this woman in tears.