Any teenager in the United States would have likely been attracted to that musical phenomena spreading like a cultural virus from Liverpool around 1964. I was no exception. The Beatles were happening! While the rest of that first month grew by, so did my hair. My mother, a very supportive woman, never could understand why I’d want to look that way.
The timing was just right for me. My older brother gave me a “how to develop film” do-it-yourself kit. I took a role of Kodak black-and-white 126 film into the bathroom of our home, locked the door, placed a towel at the bottom to avoid light leaks and, in the dark, developed my very first roll of film. About 15 minutes later when I was able to inspect the results. There it was! A “for real” strip of negatives that I developed myself. I WAS A PHOTOGRAPHER.
Fortunately, for me, my father was a cartoonist. A caricature artist. At one point he had even worked for Disney. My mother was a creative woman as well. Very crafty, very resourceful and before her marriage a professional dancer. When she was younger she used to dance with Gene Kelly (in Pittsburgh, PA). Surrounded by creative people ended up being a tremendous influence on my life and the kinds of decisions I made for the things I wanted to do.
My family traveled the fair circuit. My father was that caricature artist who would draw those big heads and little bodies. We also had other booths at the fair including; Spin Art, Iron on T-shirts, Happy Flowers, Psychedelic Posters (and more), plus Arcade Games. I used to work in those booths. I started when I was 6 years old.
Keep in mind that I was (now) a photographer at age 13. While traveling the fairs with my family I bought my very first Spanish guitar. It was at the San Diego County fair in Del Mar, California. That’s where we spent every Fourth of July – working at the fair in Del Mar. It didn’t take me too long to learn a few guitar chords. It was probably only a few days later that I came to realize I could even write my own songs. After all, I had been heavily saturated in a creative upbringing. On my own I was very creative anyway. Writing songs sometimes felt inspirational and sometimes it was simply a project in which I would apply myself and “write a song.”
Two years later I bought myself a piano which I strategically placed in my bedroom. I taught myself to play. The piano became more of a tool for songwriting. Regretfully, I did not force myself to go through the regimen of learning to play piano in the fashion of a classical pianist.
I was convinced that I could be a professional songwriter and always aspired to be a performing artist too. I lived 10 miles away from Hollywood, California. Once I had my driver’s license and a vehicle available to me, cruising to Hollywood was effortless. The more I tried to engage myself in the music industry as a songwriter the more those that I did connect with began recognizing me as a very resourceful and talented photographer.
During the next many years I was bouncing in and out of one concert after another. I was in and around movie and television studios with my cameras. I was being paid to take photographs. Since I had begun this life-course of photography by developing my own roll of film I should also mention that I had immediately built my own darkroom at my home. This is where I could produce black and white prints and maintain complete quality, esthetic and artistic control of my work.
I joined an organization in Hollywood called, “The National Academy of Songwriters.” Pro-members in this organization included the likes of Paul McCartney, Donovan, Kenny Loggins, Stephen Stills, Paul Simon and numerous other superstars. The director of the Academy learned of my photographic skills and I became their official photographer. This put me in front of these superstars as “thee” photographer at a number of major events.
How cool was it to be hanging out backstage with these great artists? One time I was photographing a wedding for the producer of Toto’s Grammy award-winning album of the year, “Toto IV,” at the Beverly Hills Hotel when Don Henley, the best man, walked up to me and said, “Hey man, you’re a pretty painless photographer!” I said, “Oh, thanks.”
Later when sharing that encounter with a friend he asked me if I realize how huge that is. I asked why. He explains that Don Henley hates the media, photographers and the like. Don’t you know what his song, “Dirty Laundry,” is all about? I reflected for a moment and realized that was a pretty cool compliment.
There was a bigger picture (pun intended) that was developing (pun intended) in light of (pun intended) what that exposure (pun intended) with Don Henley represented. I was always pretty relaxed around these professional artists many of whom were superstars. They also felt comfortable having me around, in their private and personal situations because I wasn’t intrusive. They liked me.
I always had that star-struck feeling being around such greats. I still do. I love how that feels. It’s probably because I always wanted to be on stage, in front of the masses, like they are, singing my songs and delivering my messages to help save the world. My skill and talent as a photographer seemed to supersede that.
This incongruity was always bittersweet for me. I was as close to the music as one might be without being the music myself. In all fairness, I am often asked my opinions on music by some of these pros. Even their confidence and need for approval becomes evident. I’m also a pretty talented producer so my opinions of music production are respected.
Bruce Johnston (The Beach Boys) sat me in his limousine at the Western Washing Fair and asked me to listen to a new song he just wrote. It was demoed by Little Richie! “Great song, great performance,” I told Bruce and his apparent momentary lack of confidence was reinforced. FYI: Bruce Johnston wrote the hit song, “I Write the Songs (that Make the Whole World Sing)” recorded by Barry Manilow.
There were four artists that I consider the major influences on my musical endeavors. They are, in no special order; Paul McCartney, Hoyt Axton, Leonard Cohen and Donovan.
One night I was photographing a concert at the Wiltern Theater on Wilshire Boulevard in Hollywood. It was a Donovan concert.
I was downstairs at the dressing rooms by myself. There was absolutely nobody else down there — at all. A shadow became visible from the distance and as the person approached I began to recognize the long wavy locks of hair. Again, I was the only one there until then. So naturally, he walked up to me and said, “Hello.” I responded. It was Donovan. We lightly snacked on the cheese and grapes and wine that was on the tray made available by the venue and we spoke casually. It was a very important moment for me. Again, though I kept my cool, being around superstars and being of a star-struck nature this was very exciting. Donovan was a very special artist for me while I was growing up.
Donovan’s music and lyrics were the most life shaping for me as a youngster. He wrote a song entitled, “To Try for the Sun.” This song was a life-mantra for me.
“… and who’s going to be the one to say it was no good what we’ve done. I dare a man to say I’m too young, for I’m going to try for the sun.”
Much like Emerson’s essay on “Self-Reliance,” the message in this song was a confirmation of something I had already discovered for myself which was that: I can do anything I want with my life. I have the rest of my life to achieve my goals and objectives. Then I would add to that, and since I only have the rest of my life left to do so, excuse me but I need to get back to what I’m doing.
“Creativity” is my word. Oh sure, if I were asked what words are most important words in describing myself and my life I would include all the standard ones like peace, love, family, etc. The biggie is “creativity” though. That’s the one for me. “Resourceful” follows right behind.
When I was 15 years old I wrote a song called, “Quest.” An excerpt from the lyrics read, “I’m in a factory, chained to machinery, must feed my family with creativity…”
You know what? I have succeeded (in my Quest). Once in a while I stop myself and speak a word of thanks in my mind’s eye as an acknowledgment of the opportunities that we are given here on God’s green earth. I am grateful and I feel responsible for being where I am today. It’s mostly my fault (smirk)!
As a side note, most of what I do now involves embellishing the lives of others by providing everything from education to my array of creative services in order to help them fulfill their goals, objectives and dreams. I’d still like to be on stage in front of those masses though — the truth be told. My audiences are a little smaller but I am getting lots of those moments in the spotlight as an educator and creative person.
My dear friend, Skyler Jett, Is a professional singer. He has sung on the recordings of so many major artists that it would make your head spin. (There could be another pun there… “recordings, things that “spin.”) Check out his website and you’ll see what I mean. A few years ago Skyler had devoted a tremendous amount of time working with Sly Stone’s sister Vett to produce an act that featured the great music of the founder of funk. You remember Sly and the Family Stone. After a number of shows Sly contacted his little sister and asked her what she is up to. Nobody had heard a word from Sly Stone in 20 or 30 years. Skyler and Vett went into the studio and recorded a sampling of the music they were performing while out on tour. They brought it to Sly who was so impressed that he considered doing some dates with the band.
Skyler called me and said, “Marc? We need a publicist. Sly might come back out! What have you got?” I told him to give me a minute and let me see what I can do. I made a phone call to a buddy who is a renowned publicist in New York. I called Skyler back less than five minutes later. It was a done deal. That phone call brought Sly Stone back into the limelight and launched a $1.1 million tour in Europe. I shot the first video of Sly Stone’s live performance in decades in my archives. Apparently a book is being written by Skyler and Vett in which I am credited for being a part of this fun little musical history event.
Another fun story about my life in the music industry goes back to Irvine, California when I was the photographer for the Doobie Brothers. I had gotten to the concert venue at Irvine Meadows and walked up to the back gate with my cameras to get my credentials and get to the show. The gate guard looked through the box of passes and said he could not find my name on any of the envelopes. I thought to myself with a curse word or two about what I going to do. The Doobie’s manager, Bruce, had not delivered my credentials yet. Even though I was early, this was still a problem. It was apparent that no amount of conversation was going to get me past the guard’s gate.
Less than five minutes later a van drove up to the gate and just as the guard was about to wave them through it stopped, almost abruptly, and the side door opened. “Marc? Hey what’s happening man?” “My credentials aren’t here,” I responded. “You don’t need credentials, jump in.” I looked at the guard. The guard looked in the van. The guard looked at me. The guard shrugged his shoulders yielding approval with a hand gesture. I looked in the van. The band looked at me and smiled. It was the Doobie Brothers themselves arriving at the venue and I cruised in with them and did what I do best while they did what they do best.
I have stories of traveling in the Soviet Union with Cyndi Lauper and Michael Bolton amongst other very famous songwriters. Rolling Stone magazine will NEVER get [to] the private photos that I have from that trip. I have integrity and some of my shots will remain archived and private – END OF STORY.
I have stories of the time a KRLA radio disc jockey gave me Paul McCartney’s tie — custom-made at Beau Gentry’s in Hollywood. (KRLA was the radio station that brought The Beatles to the Hollywood bowl).
Once, while photographing a comedy show at the Comedy Store on Hollywood Boulevard (at the time owned by Mitzi Shore – mother of Pauly Shore), I was backstage before the show began hanging out with comedian Robin Williams. A pay phone backstage rang. Without missing a beat, Robin picked up the phone and answered something like, “Randy’s pizza parlor how can I help you?” Of course it was funny and we all had a good laugh. The thing I keep thinking about is that the person on the other end of that call just got off the phone with one of comedy’s most famous acts — and will never know it. Robin Williams, though very down to earth, was on and I believe that’s pretty much his personality — always on! Much of his very improvisational routine is rehearsed. He’s definitely one of the most quick-witted people you could ever meet but his act is an act and mostly rehearsed. His talent to make most of his show look like it’s off the cuff and improvised is a testament to his incredible talent.
In the first week of June, I’ll begin my summer tour traveling with Pablo Cruise. Some of you will recall that the band had a number of top 10 hit songs back in the 70s. When their drummer got married a few years ago, his fiancée asked him if he could assemble the band back together, after 30 years, to play at their wedding as a gift. Drummer, Steve Price contacted his fellow bandmates and sure enough they were agreeable to do the gig. They had so much fun playing together at the wedding that they decided to take the band back out on tour. So they did.
I built the band’s website found at PabloCruise.com where you can check out samples of some their hit songs.
I also handle the merchandise for the online sales and run the merch booth at the concerts. I’m sure you can guess who does all their photography production. It’s a good time being out on the road with Pablo Cruise. At the same time it is a lot of work. This year the band is performing three dates, back to back, on three different islands in Hawaii. I spoke with Cory Lerios, Pablo’s founding member, keyboardist and vocalist a couple days ago and we agreed that this trip represents a great opportunity for us to do some new band photos. We could charter a small boat. Take a cruise out to one of the private outer islands and do a session. The band members would all agree that we’d like to make this happen. Only time will tell as to whether or not we can pull this off. These kind of things become challenging when you’re actually out on the road.
Moving in and out of hotel rooms is a big pain and there’s nothing glorious about going to sleep at night in that proverbial lonely hotel room. I always miss being home with my wife. She refuses to travel with me because I’m working all the time when I’m in this environment. It’s true. I am working all the time.
Occasionally, there is not a designated person from the venue to introduce the band. These are the times, with a camera hanging around my neck, I’ll jump up on stage in front of those masses of people and announce, “Are you ready for the music? Are you ready for Pablo Cruise? I said are you ready for Pablo Cruise? Ladies and gentlemen it’s my pleasure to bring to the stage on keyboards Cory Lerios, on guitar David Jenkins, on drums Steve Price, and on bass guitar George Gabriel. Ladies and gentlemen please welcome, Pablo Cruise.”
… and then George begins (offstage) playing a bass riff as I exit the stage and the band takes their positions. Moments later there’s a full musical onslaught of sound ringing through the arena. The crowd, the masses, are cheering, arms waving, excited with anticipation and thrilled to be at a live show where these great, great musicians are performing. Their musical talent and accolades are a blog of it’s own. Go read their bios – incredible stuff.
I’ve been in and around the music industry for decades. There are numerous stories and anyone else who has spent any time at all in this creative and interesting industry has great stories as well. I’m sure many of my experiences are quite typical. Any of you who are not in any way close to famous people should know that these folks are normally down to earth, family types and have similar values to you and I. There is something else though. Their talent is powerful. Often times their personalities and egos are equally powerful. Some of these folks, Cyndi Lauper as an example, effervescence with such strong vibes that you can physically feel their presence. There is no doubt in my mind that some of the famous people that we enjoy in film, TV, on stage and even in political life have something inside them that pre-destined them to be where they are. When I stood next to Ted Kennedy, as a photographer of course, his magnetism was unquestionable. This had nothing to do with agreeing or disagreeing with his politics. You “can” feel his power. The same was true standing beside President Bill Clinton and presidential candidate Robert Kennedy.
The support group of talent that we hear so little about is worth a standing ovation. The agents, writers, producers, managers, publicists, photographers, technicians and helpers on every level that drives the entire entertainment industry (which is not much different from the “political” industry by the way) is phenomenal. Just like any other business though there are those that are on their game more so than others along with those that have integrity and those that live by credos of cut-throat policy. The entertainment and production is great. I love it. The best part of it all is that these people, whether behind the scenes or on the stage, are no more important in our world than the teacher or administrator who is dedicated to providing your kid the best opportunity in life possible.
Next time I take that moment to (kind of) look up to the sky and express my gratitude I’m going to include you. Thanks for what you do. I genuinely appreciate you.
Peace and Love… (and creativity)
