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

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.

Keith Pulvermaker and Johnny "Cee" Calarco and the CD photo shoot for "Can't Wait For Christmas".

A look back at September 11, 1977 backstage at Milwaukee County Stadium for the Fleetwood Mac show.

December 12, 2022

On November 30th, we lost musician Christine McVie from the band Fleetwood Mac. I was fortunate enough to photograph Christine with Fleetwood Mac three times through the years. She had such a great voice and was a talented artist.  She even did the album cover artwork for their album "Kiln House". That album is one of my personal favorites, especially  the song "Station Man".

In my very early photography days back on October 20th 1971 at the Milwaukee Arena, I photographed Rory Gallager, Frank Zappa and Fleetwood Mac with Christine. Also playing in the band was guitarist and vocalist Bob Welch who passed in 2012.  Rhythm guitarist, Danny Kirwan, also played that night. He passed away in 2018.

Maybe there is a new Fleetwood Mac band upstairs having fun and playing music again. Christine and Bob Welch really worked well together with their awesome vocals. Christine has been quoted saying  that she really enjoyed working with Bob.

These black and white photos shown here are not the greatest photos I've ever taken but I was just getting started at 17 years old!

The next time I photographed Fleetwood Mac was on September 11th, 1977 at Milwaukee County Stadium. I wasn't allowed to photograph the show but had fun backstage taking a few photos and then listened to the band play to a very large crowd. One of the photos shows Christine backstage with a large boombox! Kenny Loggins and his band opened up  for Fleetwood Mac that night.

Then in 1987 as a house photographer for Alpine Valley Music Theater, I was allowed to take a few photos and one of Christine is included here as the last photo.

Enjoy a look at Christine, Bob Welch, Danny Kirwan and a couple of Mick Fleetwood.

Thanks,

Rich Zimmermann

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

Part 2 of the 2022 Millers at Milwaukee 2022 event.

A fun weekend at the Milwaukee Mile with the Harry Miller Indy Cars and a few others.