Blog
January 25, 2021
Today we look back at the first racing team I worked with in Champ Car, Fittipaldi-Dingman Racing with driver Tiago Monteiro in 2003 at the Milwaukee Mile and Road America.
These photos are from the Road America Champ Car race weekend. The race itself was red flagged twice because of rain and was shortened because of darkness.
Tiago had Emerson Fittipaldi as a coach and mentor. You can't get much better than Emerson for sure to help you out!
The team only lasted one year and James Dingman didn't really help anyone by not paying them.
Tiago would go on with his career in racing with Formula 1 in 2004, 2005 and 2006.
He still is racing in Europe in touring cars and has won the Nurburgring 24 Hour the past two years in a Honda TCR.
I love Emerson Fittipaldi's motorcycle you see here. Sargento Cheese at this 2003 race weekend made a cheese head sculpture of Emerson!! Where else but in Wisconsin can you get that?
Enjoy a look back at 2003 Road America where Tiago finished 11th after two red flags because of the rain.
Thanks,
Rich ZImmermann
January 11, 2021
Happy New Year everyone and let's hope it's a better year for all of us!
Today, we take a look back at June 8,1975 for The Eagles show at Milwaukee County Stadium when they played with the Rolling Stones and Chaka Kahn.
It was a very, very hot June day and the house was packed.
I remember that the press box where I shot these photos from was shaking so much, because of the crowd in the grandstands, that my cameras actually shook!!
These photos from June were just before the band members changed. Bernie Leodon was about to leave and Joe Walsh was coming at the end of 1975. Timothy B. Schmit would come in a couple of years and the sound of The Eagles was complete.
Enjoy a look back to our old Milwaukee County Stadium and the Eagles.
Be safe everyone!
Thanks,
Rich Zimmermann
December 21, 2020
On December 12th, we all lost another friend and great musician in Mr. Charlie Pride due to COVID-19 at 86 years old.
In 1972 at Milwaukee's Summerfest, I photographed him and chatted with him backstage for quite a while. He was a very nice gentleman to talk to and had quite a career.
Along with his pedal steel player, Gene O'Neil, we talked about music, baseball and of course pedal steel guitars. At the time, I was trying to learn how to play one. It's not easy! I failed hugely!!! I'll stick to photographing musicians rather than being one!
Charlie Pride's baseball career is quite interesting. He was a great pitcher until an injury made him lose the "mustard" as a pitcher. In 1953 he was with the Yankee's Class D team in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin and later that season he played in the Negro League with the Louisville Clippers. He became an Honorary Milwaukee Brewer in 1970. He also played with multiple teams in the minors.
Charlie and Jesse Mitchell were two baseball players that were traded to the Birmingham Black Barons for a team bus! They were probably the only players to have that kind of trade in baseball!
Even with the injury, Charlie tried out for the California Angels in 1961 and the New York Mets in 1962, unsuccessfully. He later became part owner of the Texas Rangers.
He taught himself how to play the guitar at age 14 and had a great career writing some really great songs. Charlie became the first black country music player to be successful. He sold more records for RCA Records than anyone other than Elvis Presley.
"Just Between You and Me" plus "Kiss an Angel Good Morning" are probably his most popular songs and my personal favorites.
In 1974 I was able to photograph Mr. Pride at Summerfest again but didn't get the chance to chat with him. He was getting quite popular and getting better each time he played.
Going to miss you Mr. Pride. RIP and prayers for you and your family.
Enjoy some photos of Mr. Pride from 1972 at Summerfest.
Thanks,
Rich ZImmermann
