Pete Seeger at Summerfest in 1977.

January 12, 2026

Happy New Year to everyone and I wish you the best for 2026. Last year was tough for us here and we're ready to move on.

In 1977 I was working for the Bugle American newspaper and Columbia Records.  I had just finished my senior year of high school.

I was also working with Summerfest for the first time and life was good.

I thought that I had already posted these few photos of Pete Seeger who was one of our founders of the folk music era with Woody Guthrie and others, but I guess I didn't.

Enjoy these photos of one of the founding fathers of folk music.

Thanks,

Rich Zimmermann

April 7, 2025

At Summerfest in 1977 country superstar and legend Willie Nelson came for a show. Seems like everyone likes Willie as seen by the attendance and autograph seekers that night.

Willie is 90 years old now and still touring and playing at festivals!

Voice is a bit older sounding but he is still awesome.

Enjoy a look at Willie in 1977.

Thanks,

Rich Zimmermann

December 28, 2024

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

Here we are a few days away from 2025 already and I wish the best of health to all. Been a rough 2024 around here for my wife and me with my bladder cancer and other issues. Thanks to her I have the best nurse 24/7 and I love her a lot.

I was trying to figure out what to do for this blog and I recently found out that a local guitarist, Greg Koch, grew up in my old neighborhood in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. Right around the block from us really but I never realized it as he's 12 years younger and we moved when he was 5 years old.

Greg in 2012 was recognized by Fender Guitars as the one of the 10 top unsung guitarists of the world! He has a very unique style and won the 1989 Bluesbreaker Guitar Showdown judged by blues man Buddy Guy. In April of 2023 he was inducted into the Wisconsin Area Music Industry Hall of Fame.

He is a master guitar playing teacher with a lot of videos and has given a lot of lessons worldwide. In 2020, Guitar World called him one of the best guitar teachers.

I photographed Greg in 2009 and 2010 at Summerfest and seen him play a few other times. If you get a chance, go see him play and you won't regret it.

Enjoy a few photos from Summerfest 2009 and 2010.

Have a wonderful 2025 and great health to all.

Thanks,

Rich Zimmermann

April 17, 2023

It's getting closer to Summerfest time and I'm still editing last year's massive pile of photos!

The band Guster played on July 9, 2022 and The WhiskeyBelles on July 7, 2022 on the Summerfest grounds.

Guster is a band that has been around for years and they getting better with every show. Ryan Miller and Adam Gardner really put on the lead guitars and vocals.

The WhiskeyBelles are a local Milwaukee band playing great bluegrass music and continue to get more popular every day. Chrissy Dzioba Clobes leads the trio with Kimberly Hanson on fiddle and Sara Moilanen on bass.

Enjoy a look at two great bands!

Thanks,

Rich Zimmermann

March 20, 2023

More of some Summerfest photography for you today with my friends, The Tubes!

Fun band that I've photographed a few times since 1975, and this is the most current version of the band on July 7, 2022 at Summerfest.

Gave Fee Waybill, the singer and main man of the band some old photos of himself and he flipped out!  He loved them! Fun guy and he even signed one for me. He showed his wife and she was impressed at his then "Quay Lewd" character and outfit.

Fee said that character only comes out late at night now!

Checkout Fee Waybill, Prairie Prince, Roger Steen and the band here and anytime you can. They do a great show.

This show had a ton of fog rolling in off of Lake Michigan at 4:30pm and it took some Photoshop cleanup to cut through it.

Thanks,

Rich Zimmermann

The WhiskeyBelles having fun at Summerfest on July 7, 2022.

Guster having fun playing Summerfest on July 9, 2022.

March 6, 2023

One of the most interesting bands that I have ever photographed in a long time is Los Straightjackets from Nashville.

I have liked their music for a long time. It's all great instrumentals with the musicians wearing Mexican wrestling masks!

They have two great lead guitar players with a bass and drums. They serve up a bit of Surf Rock and more.

Eddie Angel, Pete Curry, Greg Towson and Chris "Sugarballs" Sprague are a really tight band with great guitar playing.

Check them out and listen to some great music. It's a fun show with no vocals. Other than a song title given in a heavy Spanish accent that is all the talking you get! It's all about the music.

Enjoy a look at the guys playing Summerfest on July 7, 2022.

Thanks,

Rich Zimmermann

The GREAT Los Straightjackets at Milwaukee's Summerfest on July 7, 2022.