March 21, 2022

Finally catching up with all the bands I photographed at Summerfest last September!

This is the band Rise Against, who I must say is the LOUDEST band I've heard in a long time and I've been doing this for over 50 years! Maybe they are the loudest ever as my body shook to the core at this show!

The punk rock band was formed in 1999 by bassist Joe Principe and has had a few versions through the years.

Joe recruited Tim Mcllrath and they were the band for years. The present band also includes Brandon Barnes on drums and Zach Blair on the second lead guitar.

Tim Mcllrath does the main vocals and lead guitar and powers up the band.

The stage setup was very interesting and a bit tough as a photographer to shoot. The guys had monitors that lit up with graphics in the very front of the stage. Plus, they had huge speakers in the photo pit to maneuver around.

Doesn't matter though because I always try to get'er done somehow even with only two songs to shoot!

Enjoy a look at the band. It's only 91 days until Summerfest gets going again!!

Thanks,

Rich Zimmermann

The Shinyribs at Summerfest September 4, 2021.

December 13, 2021

On September 9, 2021 George Thorogood and the Destroyers played at Summerfest. It was one of the many shows I photographed at Summerfest for Milwaukeeindependent.com this past summer and fall.

George has been playing a long time and still sounds great. He moved the house! Our local musician,Jon Paris, (now living in NYC), played with George years ago.  Jon also played with Link Wray and Johnny Winter but that's another story.

The band now has Jeff Simon on drums, Bill Blough on bass, Buddy Leah on sax and Jim Suhler trying to keep up with George!!

They all did a great job and the lighting was fun to photograph.  The other show I did that night for two songs only, was practically in the dark.  George lit it up and lit up the crowd with a lot of energy!

Enjoy a look at September 9th fun.

Thanks,

Rich Zimmermann

George Thorogood and the Destroyers rocking the house at Summerfest on September 9, 2021!

November 30, 2021

Hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving with family and friends. Running a day late on our blog here because of the holiday.

We are taking a look at Terri Nunn and John Crawford's band Berlin, seen here at Summerfest on September 3, 2021.

Berlin became famous for their number one hit "Take My Breath Away" in 1986. You might remember that song from being in the movie Top Gun.

The band has been around since the 1970's with multiple musicians but Terri Nunn has been the constant member and lead vocalist.

Enjoy a look at the band from a nice summer night at Summerfest.

Thanks,

Rich Zimmermann

Terri Nunn and her band Berlin at Summerfest on September 3, 2021.

Phil Vasser Rocking the house at Summerfest on 9-4-2021!

November 15, 2021

Willy Porter is one of Milwaukee's outstanding musicians who has been around since the early 1980's.

He has toured extensively across the country and Europe but keeps his base in Milwaukee after 11 albums.

Opening and touring with my favorite guitarist, Jeff Beck, and others like Sting, Paul Simon and Tori Amos, he keeps busy. Wish I had seen that Jeff Beck show with Willy!

In 2005, Willy was smart and started Weasel Records, a label of his own and he hasn't looked back after making several albums.

Together with the great vocals of Carmen Nickerson they are an awesome duo. Add Eric Madunic on bass, Dave Schoepke on drums and Dave Adler on keyboards and you have the full show.

Enjoy Willy and Carmen and his band whenever you can to see a great show!

If you feel like going to Ireland, you can go on Willy Porter's Ireland tour that he has done for a few years. Checkout www.willyporter.com for all good Willy Porter news.

Here are the photos from this year at Summerfest on September 4th. The Briggs and Stratton stage at Summerfest is one of the newer stages and it was great seeing him there.

During the show, I noticed the cutest photo opportunity for me! There was a young boy strumming his guitar standing on a bench in front of the stage.  He was playing along with Willy and wearing his earmuffs and mask.  Maybe a future musician we may see at Summerfest some day?

Enjoy these photos of the Willy Porter and his band.

Thanks,

Willy Porter and his band with Carmen Nickerson at Summerfest on September 4, 2021.

October 18, 2021

I finally took another item off of my bucket list by photographing Alice Cooper and his band on October 1, 2021.  They played at the BMO Harris Pavilion on the Summerfest grounds.

I have wanted to photograph the show that I have seen before with my wife. It is a visual treat and his band members are some of the best musicians in the world!

Nita Strauss is rated the #1 female guitar player and I can see why. She is busy with Alice Cooper and also worked as the guitar player with the Arena Football team KISS, owned by Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of KISS!

Chuck Garric, Ryan Roxie, Tommy Henricksen are all great (gunslingers) guitar players. They play with Alice Cooper and all have other bands and projects when not working with Alice. The drummer, Glen Sobel, is the same in that he has other projects as well.

The band has always been top notch and a family affair with Alice's wife of many years, Sheryl Goddard Cooper,  in the act. She is an accomplished ballerina fits into the stage show very well.

Thank you to the people at Summerfest for letting me photograph Alice Cooper. If you get the chance go see the show, you won't be disappointed!

Enjoy a look at the band having fun.

Thanks,

Rich Zimmermann