December 16, 2009

My good friends, The Familiar Looking Strangers, have headed back home to Liverpool, England for the holidays.

Their album is done and coming out in March 2014 when they will start touring with the band Hawkwind.

You guys have worn out my Nikon and I have sent it away to get repaired and ready for your next visit!

The Strangers played a few dates here recently with Phil Vasser who is one of the nicest guys and hardest workers in the music industry!

In 2009 at Summerfest, Phil stayed around for every last person at a meet and greet, signing anything and everything plus taking photos with his fans! That is the way it is supposed to be, right?

Enjoy some photos of Phil from Summerfest here in Milwaukee back in 2009.

Please join me on Facebook at Rich Zimmermann Photography and have a great week.

Thanks,

Rich

Phil Vasser at Summerfest in 2009.

Judas Priest, being led by Rob Halford at Milwaukee's Summerfest on July 2, 2009.

December 9, 2013

One of the world's leading heavy metal bands, Judas Priest, brought forth British Steel to Milwaukee's Summerfest on July 2, 2009.

Led by lead singer Rob Halford, I needed some earplugs as I photographed the band famous for their twin lead guitarists, Glen Tipton and Richie Faulkner. They were really loud on this particular night!

The band stuffed a lot of gear on stage and made the stage look a bit small for them.

I only had one and a half songs to photograph the band so this was a quick shoot.

Enjoy some photos from that night and please like me on Facebook at Rich Zimmermann Photography as I try to build up my Facebook presence.

Thanks,

Rich Zimmermann

December 2, 1973

On February 2, 1973, I had the pleasure of photographing Leo Kottke. He opened up a show for Loggins and Messina at Milwaukee's Performing Arts Center that evening.

At the time, I was working for the Bugle American newspaper and we conducted an interview in Leo's dressing room before the show.

In my collection of favorite photographs, a few are shown here with Leo's reflection in the mirror. He was relaxed, reading the paper and just killing time before his performance.

Leo, is to me, the best acoutic 12 string guitar player in the world. Not many people get close to playing like Leo does!

He still plays and if you can catch a performance of his please do so because you will be amazed at his great voice and guitar playing.

Please join me at Facebook at Rich Zimmermann Photography as I try to build up my Facebook group. It is new and I only have 35 people so far! You get a weekly reminder of my blog and more great photos.

Have a great week!

Thanks,

Rich Zimmermann

George Carlin, the night he was arrested at Summerfest on July 21, 1972.

November 25, 2013

On July 21, 1972, George Carlin performed at Summerfest. He was arrested for saying the seven dirty words you can't say on radio or television!

I was there that night and the last photo you see here is of George being arrested and hauled off stage!

George was funny that night as usual. I have seen him three times and this was his best night.

Busy weekend around here with a couple photo jobs and we are painting the inside of the house. Smells like paint and it looks great! Don't you love the weekends?

No major cleanup on the photos here because I have to get back to painting!!!

Have a great Thanksgiving everyone.

Thanks,

Rich Zimmermann

November 18, 2013

Last Friday night I photographed one of the hottest new bands around. They are a group of English guys who have actually become good friends. They are The Familiar Looking Strangers. You need to check them out.

They are here from Liverpool, England. They arrived here this summer to make an album here in Milwaukee. They are managed by K Nation Entertainment located in Grafton, WI.

The album is pretty much done. A tour with the band Hawkwind is planned in March of 2014 to promote it.

On Friday night they played a show for Milwaukee fans at Shank Hall. They will then travel to Marquette, Michigan and Madison, Wisconsin for a couple more shows before they head back home to England for the holidays.

With Vinny leading the band with his great vocals the boys had a terrific show. Paul's slide guitar was great and Ben's drumming makes me think of when I saw Jon Bonham play with Led Zeppelin. He plays hard!

Jon's bass didn't miss a beat and Carlos, the quiet guitar player in the corner kicked ass!!

Thank you K Nation Entertainment for introducing these awesome musicians to us.

Enjoy some photos from Friday night and check them out next time they come to town.

Join me on Facebook at Rich Zimmermann Photography and I'll keep you up to date on the men next time they come around.

Thanks,

Rich Zimmermann

November 11, 2013

On July 20, 1972, Charlie Pride and his band came to Milwaukee's Summerfest for a show.

Charlie and his band were having a successful tour with his 1971 hit "Kiss an Angel Good Mornin". It was his biggest hit but he did have 30 others on the Billboard charts.

The photos of his band here are interesting and fun to look at! Anybody know who the steel guitar player is???

I know that Charlie loved baseball and tried to be a pitcher with the Yankees in 1953. He lost the magic on his fastball and the Yankees sent him to Fond du Lac, Wisconsin to play in their Class D team! Never knew that!

Enjoy some photos of Charlie and his band at Summerfest in 1972.

Please come join my Facebook page at Rich Zimmermann Photography and have a great week.

Thanks,

Rich Zimmermann

Al Kooper at the 2013 Blue Lotus Farm and Retreat Center benefit.