October 29, 2012

My start in music photography began at the Alternate Site Park on Milwaukee's lakefront.  During the 1970's the Alternate Site was the place to meet people, hear local bands and have a good time just about every weekend.  The best part was that it was free!

The first band I photographed was Sugar Cane, July 4th, 1971 and those are the color photos attached here. They were good, but the weekend I really remember was July 25, 1971 when the Ox played.  Jon Paris, Bob Metzger and Brad Seip showed me what live rock 'n' roll was all about!  They made me want to be a music photographer and get close to the action on stage.

Thanks to the Ox, my life of becoming a rock photographer started and we became good friends.  The attached black and white photographs are from the second edition of The Ox.  There would be a third edition when Brad left and gave the drums to Ed Sisson.  The Ox invited other people on stage and Tony Brown is shown here singing with the Ox.

Presently, Bob Metzger plays guitar for Leonard Cohen. Jon Paris is in New York city playing with his band at B. B. King's Lucille's Bar and Grill.  He has played with a lot of great people, from his good friend Les Paul to Link Wray to Johnny Winter to Bo Diddley and many more.  I would have loved to have seen Jon play with Link Wray.

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Thanks,

Rich Zimmermann