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.

February 20, 2023

I have more of the past year at Summerfest to share with you. This week it is the Marshall Tucker Band.

I've photographed the band three times now with three different versions of the band- 1975 at the Riverside Theater in Milwaukee, 1978 at Summerfest with Willie Nelson and then this past July 9, 2022 at Summerfest again.

The one person in all three versions of the band is vocalist Doug Gray who is the only original member of the band left. However, the band is hot as ever!

Chatted with him before the show and he still has the energy and power to lead the band forever! And he really meant forever when he said, "I love what I do and can't think of doing anything else!"

His voice is just as good as it was in the old days and the new band is very polished.

Marcus James Henderson plays keyboards, sax and flute. I was amazed at how good and versatile he is.

By the way do you know the story of how the band got it's name? In 1972, it was on the key of the rehearsal space they used. Marshall Tucker was a blind piano tuner in South Carolina where they band is from!

Enjoy a look at them from the past summer.

Thanks,

Rich Zimmermann

The Marshall Tucker Band lead by Doug Gray at Summerfest July 9, 2022.

The Cult performing at Summerfest on July 9, 2022.

February 6, 2023

In my continuing effort to catch up with sharing my Summerfest photography, today we have the band "The Cult" in my blog.

Led by vocalist Ian Astbury and guitarist Billy Duffy, the band has had some great success through the years.

Their most famous song is "She Sell's Sanctuary" and continues to be popular. It is one of my favorites of the band.

I actually came upon them by accident moving from one stage to another at Summerfest.

Enjoy a few photos of the men.

Thanks,

Rich Zimmermann

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