December 15, 2025
Just a short little blog with a few photos of Jesse Colin Young and Leo Kottke from May of 1975.
In May of 1975 I was still working for the Bugle American newspaper.
It was a rough time in my life as my studio, Intrepid Trips, closed and from then on I worked out of where ever I lived.
I would stretch out a 36 exposure roll of film for 2 or 3 shows so I could save money. With film of course you didn't see what you shot until after the film was developed. Digital photography did not exist then.
Here you see the result of good photos from 15 shots taken that night! I really like digital photography now for the instant results and especially in low light for rock'n' roll.
Chemotherapy #18 is up next so I actually wrote this a bit early (December 9th) because I never know how I'll feel. It's different every time. The last one was awful.
Enjoy a couple shots from way back in 1975.
Just heard that Raul Malo passed last night (December 8th) from cancer. Cancer SUCKS. We texted a few times during our cancer journeys. Love to his family and we're going to miss Raul a bunch. He had such a great voice and left us records to remember him by.
Thanks,
Rich Zimmermann
December 1, 2025
Been a bit crazy around here with another urinary tract infection (#11) a week before chemotherapy (#17) on November 20th. I was sick from both and it was not fun.
First time I've gone this long without publishing a blog due to health. I didn't even sit at the computer for a while unless necessary.
Healed up just in time for Thanksgiving with some family which was great. We all went out for Thanksgiving dinner. There were no dishes to do and the food was delicious!
Hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving too.
Prior to all that, I was back into writing my autobiography which is up to 1975 and the band Queen that I photographed on March 7th 1975.
It's going to take a few years to do this autobiography on rock'n'roll in my life and a photo history but it's a project I've wanted to do for years.
The Queen show at the beautiful Uptown Theater here in Milwaukee was excellent of course. This was really at the height of their career I think.
Freddie Mercury was such a great vocalist, writer and performer who loved every minute performing.
The band with Brian May, Roger Taylor and John Deacon were the perfect match for Freddie. Brian May and Roger Taylor with Adam Lambert still continue touring a bit making Freddie proud.
That concert for me was fun but I had one incident at that show.
Photographing from the orchestra pit filled with a lot of equipment cases I could not resist going on top of one of those cases to take some pictures. So I did and I got some shots.
Then at one point they fogged the stage and I was kneeling at that time. I shuffled to the left a few inches and dropped down with two cameras! Nobody saw me go down about 5 feet because of the fog. But I was 21 years old and got right back up and started shooting again.
I recall being a little sore the next day but well worth it. My Nikon and Hasselblad cameras also made it unscathed. I remember that fall like it was yesterday!
Enjoy some photos of that show and have a great Holiday season.
Thanks,
Rich Zimmermann
October 27, 2025
Very sad to hear that we lost one of the founding members of the band KISS, "Ace" Frehley on October 16th.
Always wanted to photograph KISS but never got the chance. I did get to photograph Paul Daniel "Ace" Frehley in 2021 at Summerfest.
He was a great guitarist who played with KISS from 1973 to 1982. He also played the farewell tours in 1996 and 2002.
"Ace" never took guitar lessons but he came from a family of guitar and piano players. His father also played the church organ.
In 1978 "Ace" did a solo album that went Platinum and then did a few more solo albums in addition to a few with his band Frehley's Comet.
His Gibson Les Paul guitar had smoke coming out of the neck and it had a spinning pyrotechnic feature.
We will miss the Space Ace or Spaceman as he was called when he was with KISS.
Enjoy some photos from 2021. I have one of those guitar picks from that night
Thanks,
Rich Zimmermann
September 29, 2025
I just edited again some photos of The Byrds from April 30th 1972 that I have had on my website before but revisited with Lightroom.
I was 18 years old in 1972 working with the Bugle American newspaper and Columbia Records in Milwaukee.
Roger McGuinn, Clarence White, Skip Battin and Gene Clark were The Byrds in 1972 and they had a bunch of different lineups through the years.
This show was at Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin. John Hagar of Columbia Records and I went to say hi and get permission for me to do a review and take few photos.
We went backstage before the show and introduced ourselves and I asked Roger McGuinn if I may take a few photos during the show and he quickly said no.
The great Clarence White was sitting on a church table and looked at my surprised expresssion and said to Roger, "let the kid take a few shots".
I was then allowed to do that and witnessed one of the best guitarists play his custom B Bender guitar. It was just amazing to see it and hear it. I had never seen such an awesome guitar.
Being a lover of the pedal steel guitar and to hear a guitar doing something similar was amazing!
Clarence was killed a year later by a drunk driver while he was loading equipment in California.
The B Bender is now owned and played by Marty Stuart. It's awesome to hear it again.
On October 24, 2025, my friend Marty Stuart and his Fabulous Superlatives are coming to the Wilson Center for the Arts here in Brookfield, Wisconsin. Come join us for some great music and we hopefully will see the B Bender in action again.
Thanks,
Rich Zimmermann
July 28, 2025
On September 4, 1972 a few bands played outside in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. They were REO Speedwagon, Brian Lee Band and the English band Flash.
It was a beautiful day for an outdoor concert. Have a look at REO Speedwagon here with the other bands coming up soon.
Everyone played on a flatbed semi trailer for the stage!
Those were big hair days in 1972.
Also if you haven't noticed, someone that doesn't exist (michaeljohnsonxui52304) apparently deleted my Rich Zimmermann and Rich Zimmermann Photography Facebook accounts. After 5 hours of trying to figure it out, I gave up and restored an old Rich Zimmermann Facebook page from years ago. So, friend me again please if I haven't friended you.
Thanks,
Rich Zimmermann
April 21, 2024
My blog this week is short but sweet thanks to chemotheraphy session #2 kicking me a bit. Not as bad as last week. I'm just sore and lethargic. Just hope it works with 4 more treatments to go.
I dug up the Midwest band Head East that has been around since 1974 and has had more members than my high school class in senior year. In other words a lot!
Formed by John Schlitt when he and several of the guys were attending the University of Illinois. But being a rock band, who knows how many days they were there!
They are known mainly for their hit "Never Been Any Reason" but continued trying and toured a lot. I also saw them in 1976 and should to dig those photos up.
Enjoy a look at the men in 1980.
Thanks,
Rich Zimmermann
March 24, 2025
Been a busy time here with more bad bladder cancer bad news. The 6 BCG infusions we did on my left kidney, ureter and bladder did nothing as the cancer is still present...
So the next step is 2 chemotherapy drugs administered together once a week starting soon. If that doesn't work I don't know what's next.
Anyway, take a look at the great Loggins and Messina band in September of 1974 at Milwaukee's Performing Arts Center which is my favorite venue here.
Enjoy and have a great week.
Thanks,
Rich Zimmermann
Loggins and Messina playing Milwaukee's Performing Arts Center February 14, 1973.
March 10, 2025
February 14, 1973 I photographed Loggins and Messina at the Milwaukee Performing Arts Center.
This was now my second time photographing them and my personal favorite band at the time.
Nice and fun bunch of musicians that are really talented. Kenny Loggins and Jim Messina keep working and doing well.
Enjoy a look and next blog will be the guys in 1974 at the Performing Arts Center again.
Loved that venue as I had 2 secret spots to photograph from. I would just sit on the floor 2 levels up and off to the side of the stage!
Thanks,
Rich Zimmermann
