Tag Cloud
December 21, 2020
On December 12th, we all lost another friend and great musician in Mr. Charlie Pride due to COVID-19 at 86 years old.
In 1972 at Milwaukee's Summerfest, I photographed him and chatted with him backstage for quite a while. He was a very nice gentleman to talk to and had quite a career.
Along with his pedal steel player, Gene O'Neil, we talked about music, baseball and of course pedal steel guitars. At the time, I was trying to learn how to play one. It's not easy! I failed hugely!!! I'll stick to photographing musicians rather than being one!
Charlie Pride's baseball career is quite interesting. He was a great pitcher until an injury made him lose the "mustard" as a pitcher. In 1953 he was with the Yankee's Class D team in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin and later that season he played in the Negro League with the Louisville Clippers. He became an Honorary Milwaukee Brewer in 1970. He also played with multiple teams in the minors.
Charlie and Jesse Mitchell were two baseball players that were traded to the Birmingham Black Barons for a team bus! They were probably the only players to have that kind of trade in baseball!
Even with the injury, Charlie tried out for the California Angels in 1961 and the New York Mets in 1962, unsuccessfully. He later became part owner of the Texas Rangers.
He taught himself how to play the guitar at age 14 and had a great career writing some really great songs. Charlie became the first black country music player to be successful. He sold more records for RCA Records than anyone other than Elvis Presley.
"Just Between You and Me" plus "Kiss an Angel Good Morning" are probably his most popular songs and my personal favorites.
In 1974 I was able to photograph Mr. Pride at Summerfest again but didn't get the chance to chat with him. He was getting quite popular and getting better each time he played.
Going to miss you Mr. Pride. RIP and prayers for you and your family.
Enjoy some photos of Mr. Pride from 1972 at Summerfest.
Thanks,
Rich ZImmermann
December 7, 2020
As I wrote that date, December 7th, I realize that it is the anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Very sad day to go down in history. Many thanks to all the servicemen.
This is my last blog on Joe Walsh!! Four is enough and that's all I've got of Joe in photos. Once he joined the Eagles he and the band became very hard to photograph. Even with Vince Gill as an old friend from his Pure Prairie League days it just got really hard to get access.
They have also become the most expensive tickets to buy for a show I hear. Great band but $1000. or more for a good seat is crazy!
This show I photographed was in Milwaukee in 1980 according to my records but that doesn't work out with the tour list! So, if anyone knows a Milwaukee date let me know please. The slides are stamped August 1980!
The band here was great with Don Henley, Joe Walsh, Timothy B. Schmit, Don Feldner and Glen Frey. Joe Walsh joined the band in late 1975 and they broke up in late 1980 a few months after this show.
Enjoy a look at the boys from my one seat way back with a long lens! Wish I had my present gear back then. Photos would be a lot better!
Thanks,
Rich Zimmermann