Blog
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
December 26, 2022
Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas or whatever holiday your celebrate!
This blog is about my friend and musician, Keith Pulvermacher, who passed away from cancer (multiple myeloma) on July, 30, 2022 at the young age of 49. A year earlier he lost his father to cancer... Keith was a father leaving behind his wife and two adorable daughters.
A tribute concert was held recently for Keith at Turner Hall which unfortunately I was unable to attend. My little tribute is here on this terrific man.
I first met Keith when he was in a band called The UnXpected in the 1990's. He later played in Chasin' Mason and The Love Monkeys. He was a great song writer, guitar player and guitar teacher and did a wonderful solo act for years.
Keith had a very generous heart his whole life, but in 2019 Givesong was created with Keith's plan of contributing to nonprofit organizations. In the first six months he had corporate sponsors donating $5000 each through Givesong to different nonprofits.
Two of Keith's download songs, "45 Story" and "Always Be Here for You" started the Givesong donation process and he got other Wisconsin artists such as Them Coulee Boys and 7000apart to join in. His work with Givesong will continue on. That is the kind of guy Keith was even as the cancer was taking him away from us.
In 2013, I had the pleasure of photographing Keith and Johnny Calarco with their families for the "Can't Wait For Christmas" CD with K-Nation Entertainment. We did a photo shoot in two locations over two days. One day in downtown Waukesha and then on a really cold day at a Christmas tree lot in Brookfield. Cold as it was we had fun with their families in the snow. Nice little four song CD with friends Jason Klagstad, Joe Hite, Grace Weber and Dave Adler.
I had a little skin cancer battle this past summer and had been talking for years with Keith. We talked more as he was in Froedert hospital on and off and I was on the other side of the cancer center of Froedert with my little skin cancer procedure. NOTHING like what Keith went through. He went through a lot but his heart and mind were always there and open to talk. His charity work continues on and he's looking down on his family and all of us I'm sure. Probably wishing he could tell us a joke or something which he was always good at.
The world is missing a great soul and prayers to his family and friends.
Enjoy a look back to 2013 when I photographed Keith, Johnny "Cee" Calarco and their families. The last three photos are the photos used for the CD cover, back and the CD itself.
Thanks,
Rich Zimmermann
