May 2, 2022
One of my most memorable days at Summerfest occurred on June 21, 1972 when I was photographing for the Bugle American newspaper here in Milwaukee.
George Carlin was opening the show for musician Arlo Guthrie that night. It became a night known around the country if not most of the world because of what happened. George Carlin was arrested for saying the "seven words you can't say on radio or television".
The show was great but Milwaukee Police Lieutenant ,Andrew Busalacchi, was just waiting for George to say the words and arrest him. I saw the lieutenant on the side of the stage as I was photographing George and you could tell something was going to happen.
George didn't care and did his show, including the famous seven words you shouldn't say on radio and television. He even finished his show and then they escorted him off the stage to be arrested and charged.
The promoter and stage manager emptied George Carlin's pockets before the Milwaukee Police got him. That was a good thing or he would have had drug charges too!
In the end, the charges were dismissed by a smiling judge and George even became friends with the policeman that arrested him.
Had to dig up these photos again and clean them up a bit for a documentary being done on George which is very cool! I will let you know when that documentary comes out.
Enjoy a look at a little Summerfest and George Carlin history.
Thanks,
Rich Zimmermann
May 18, 2020
May 12th would have been George Carlin's 83rd birthday. George passed away on June 22, 2008 and left us with some of the best comedy routines ever performed. He was making appearances right up to the end of his life. He had just finished an HBO special and was working on another. George appeared on the Johnny Carson show multiple times and even hosted it more than once. He also hosted Saturday Night Live and to this day is the only host to not do any skits during the show. That was his idea.
The early 1970's were very good to George and afforded him his own private jet for getting to shows and back. He made several albums as the clean dressing short haired comedian, then he transformed his look to long hair and jeans.
The seven words that you cannot say on television became his trademark, especially when he got arrested performing that routine at Milwaukee's Summerfest on July 21, 1972.
I was at that show and the photographs here are from that night! One picture shows him being hauled off the stage to be arrested! I'll never forget that night.
The stage manager was a friend of mine. He quickly emptied out his pockets that contained cocaine and marijuana before the actual arrest that some people were enjoying! Otherwise, the arrest would have been even worse! That full story will be in my upcoming book that I am currently working on.
Those seven words can be said in my blog though!! They are- shit, piss, cunt, fuck, cocksucker, motherfucker and tits!! I think I have heard a few of those since 1972 on television, haven't you?
Check out some of his You Tube classic video shows.
Here are some of my photos of that wild night in 1972.
Thanks,
Rich Zimmermann
George Carlin, the night he was arrested at Summerfest on July 21, 1972.
November 25, 2013
On July 21, 1972, George Carlin performed at Summerfest. He was arrested for saying the seven dirty words you can't say on radio or television!
I was there that night and the last photo you see here is of George being arrested and hauled off stage!
George was funny that night as usual. I have seen him three times and this was his best night.
Busy weekend around here with a couple photo jobs and we are painting the inside of the house. Smells like paint and it looks great! Don't you love the weekends?
No major cleanup on the photos here because I have to get back to painting!!!
Have a great Thanksgiving everyone.
Thanks,
Rich Zimmermann