Weissguy

Bio:

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It was the seventies, I had just moved into a new neighborhood in NJ. I was a 14 year old kid knocking on doors to houses with unkept lawns; offering to cut them for $5.00 a week. I made a deal with a neighbor to mow his lawn for the entire season and in exchange he would give me a camera. At the end of the summer the deal was done ; my first 35 mm Bell & Howell Canon camera. My dad set me up with equipment for developing film and i turned our bathroom into a darkroom. I began shooting friends and family for the first few months. It was exciting to see images appear from just some chemicals and water. I needed more action to shoot; my older brother Jay, who was racing motor cross, was my next subject . A couple of years later I started tagging along with my brother to concerts. "Sly and the Family Stone" at Raceway park was my first show.

My interest in rock and roll photography began August 9th 1974 at Roosevelt Stadium at a Crosby Stills Nash and Young concert. That night David Crosby made an announcement of Nixon's resignation. I ran into someone I knew making his way to the front of the stage with his camera in one hand, and a hot girl in another. I knew at that show thats what i wanted to do. From that point on, whenever I went to a show I did what ever it took to get close to the stage. I sneaked my cameras in, stuffing them in my boots. I also paid off security guards at venues to get into the first ten rows. I was 16 and photographing rock icons to be; LED ZEPPELIN, KISS, QUEEN, to name a few.

I had to start somewhere! I would shoot the first night of the show, stay up all night developing and printing hundreds of photos. I began selling them on the street after the concerts for one dollar per print. The money I earned built me a darkroom in the back of my garage. In 1977, KISS played a five night stint in New York City. I was arrested outside of Madison Square Garden selling photos of KISS and spent the night in jail. My peddling days were over.

The next day, I walked into CIRCUS magazine the leading Rock n' Roll publication at the time. With my portfolio in hand, the timing was right - the art director was off deadline and welcomed me into his office. Within months, I submitted photos from an Aerosmith show; which became my first published work; a centerfold featuring Steven Tyler (June 1978). I was hired as the staff photographer for CIRCUS magazine, shooting their covers and features. While working with CIRCUS, I quickly developed relationships with top rock bands and managers.

Member Since:

May 27, 2009

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