Jeff Beck and the band at Milwaukee's Summerfest in 2010.

Jeff Beck passed away on January 10, 2022 and here is a look at some of my work from 1972 to 2022 of Jeff. RIP my friend.

January 24, 2023

My music photography career began in 1971 and I retired as planned at the end of 2022. I didn't realize that my last show would be with my favorite musician, Jeff Beck, this past October 23rd. Fitting, but a sad way to end a photo career. I will continue with Indy Car and IMSA photography along with other special projects.

If you know me at all, you know my favorite musician and the world's best guitarist is musician Jeff Beck. Jeff passed away quickly from bacterial meningitis on January 10th in England. Born in 1944 he was 78 years old. I was just gutted and didn't really sleep the night I found out. Still have a hard time knowing he has left us.

I first photographed Jeff Beck on May 10, 1972 at the Riverside Theater with the Siegal Schwall Band as the opening act.  I was working for the Bugle American newspaper at that time.  The Seigal Schwall band members were friends, so after the show I went backstage and got to meet Jeff.

Wish I would have taken some backstage photos that night but I've always respected the backstage area for photo access unless we did an interview for what ever publication or record company I was working for then.

That night my life was changed watching Jeff Beck play guitar. He made it look so easy! He was the best ever guitarist or the G.O.A.T. as some people like to say.

Through the year's I've photographed Jeff Beck 5 times. I believe I met him 3 times and he was always so nice, shy and just a normal guy.

The Riverside Theater-Milwaukee, Wisconsin--May 10, 1972

Turner Hall-Milwaukee, Wisconsin--April 18, 2009

Milwaukee's Summerfest--June 25, 2010

The Riverside Theater-Milwaukee, Wisconsin--May 22, 2015

The Chicago Theater--October 23, 2022

I also remember just going to a few of his shows to see him play. Felt naked without a camera of course!  One of those times was when he was playing with guitarist John McLauglin. I got to talk to both of them that night. They are both great guitar players.

Enjoy a few photos of the master from the shows listed above and see if you can figure out which photos go with what show?

I also added the set list from the Chicago show this past October with Johnny Depp. Notice the 2 arrows on the left side of the song/set list. Those are the only songs I was allowed to photograph- Jeff's first song and then the 12th when Johnny Depp came out for a 45 second song which he spent most of the time exchanging phone or room numbers with a girl in the front row!  Because of where I was standing,  I only got to really see Jeff and bass player Rhonda Smith and not the rest of the band.  From stage left I never even saw the drummer or keyboard player.

The politics and ridiculous rules for photographers are why I have ended my music photography journey...

Almost forgot!! If you haven't seen or bought the book BECK01 that I was a part of from Genesis publications please check it out! Photos of Jeff's cars and guitars. I have 3 photos in it and it is the best built book also! Comes in a pouch in a beautiful box with a License plate on the cover! Printed in Itay.

Thanks and RIP Jeff.

Rich Zimmermann

January 9, 2023

Happy New Year!!!

Here we are at the beginning of another year and I hope it's a good one for all of us.

I'm officially announcing that I am retiring from photographing music and rock and roll! Started music photography when I was 17 years old in high school, with the Bugle American newspaper here in Milwaukee. Then, I worked 52 years of Summerfest on and off, promotional photographer for Columbia records and many other publications. Plus, I worked with several bands as their photographer.

A lot of books have been published with my work, most notably friend and best guitarist in the world (to me) Jeff Beck's beautiful book, BECK01. Jeff Beck was one of my first big shows in 1972 and last October I photographed Jeff and Johnny Depp in Chicago.  That was the finish line for me.

Prints of mine are all over the world and it's been an honor and pleasure, but the politics and bs to photograph a show at all have gotten so complicated.  I'm done.

I will however continue as a racing photographer of Indy Car, IMSA and more at Road America and the Milwaukee Mile. I'm 68 but ya can't get rid of me yet!

Now, I get to edit the archives of my work and I plan to compile a nice coffee table book. That should take about 3 years I figure! I will also have more time to spend with my beautiful wife Claudia.

Been trying to catch up with the past year of Summerfest to put into my website and blogs.

So, today we have Todd Rundgren from Summerfest on June 30th 2022. Todd is a musician I've always wanted to see and photograph.

Enjoy a look at Todd Rundgren and his band on a beautiful night at Summerfest.

Thanks,

Rich Zimmermann

Todd Rundgren enjoying a fun show at Milwaukee's Summerfest June 30th, 2022.

November 28, 2022

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends.

A few weeks ago we lost one of the best rock 'n' rollers to ever play. Jerry Lee Lewis ,"The Killer", was one of a kind and we will never have another musician or person like him.

I had the pleasure on July 18, 1972 to not only photograph The Killer but to chat with him and his band backstage that night. Really a nice guy and had alot of fun with him that night.

The band Truc, also known as Truc of America,opened the show for Jerry Lee Lewis. Drummer Ed Sison became a good friend and was also playing for the band The Ox in those days.

Enjoy a look at both bands from that night.

Thanks,

Rich Zimmermann

Rick Springfield having a fun night at Summerfest on July 9, 2022

October 17, 2022

I'm finally getting caught up a bit since most of my Summer racing and music photography is complete!

Now it's time to share some of the past shows and events.

This blog is on Rick Springfield at Summerfest on July 9th this past Summer.

Nice hot night for a hot show with Rick rocking it out with his band! He and the guys were one of the better shows I saw at Summerfest this year.

During the show, Rick tossed at lot of red and white roses into the air and the stage was full of them. Made the ladies in the front very happy it seemed!

Check out his tennis shoes. Each shoe was a different color. That was interesting!

Enjoy a look at Rick and his band.

Thanks,

Rich Zimmermann

May 2, 2022

One of my most memorable days at Summerfest occurred on June 21, 1972 when I was photographing for the Bugle American newspaper here in Milwaukee.

George Carlin was opening the show for musician Arlo Guthrie that night.  It became a night known around the country if not most of the world because of what happened.  George Carlin was arrested for saying the "seven words you can't say on radio or television".

The show was great but Milwaukee Police Lieutenant ,Andrew Busalacchi, was just waiting for George to say the words and arrest him. I saw the lieutenant on the side of the stage as I was photographing George and you could tell something was going to happen.

George didn't care and did his show, including the famous seven words you shouldn't say on radio and television. He even finished his show and then they escorted him off the stage to be arrested and charged.

The promoter and stage manager emptied George Carlin's pockets before the Milwaukee Police got him. That was a good thing or he would have had drug charges too!

In the end, the charges were dismissed by a smiling judge and George even became friends with the policeman that arrested him.

Had to dig up these photos again and clean them up a bit for a documentary being done on George which is very cool! I will let you know when that documentary comes out.

Enjoy a look at a little Summerfest and George Carlin history.

Thanks,

Rich Zimmermann

Rise Against ROCKIN' the Summerfest stage on 9-4-2021.