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

June 5, 2017

I continue to dig through my archives for Summerfest.  The other day I heard that Brewer and Shipley are back on the road again. That is a good thing considering all the great musicians we have lost already this year...

Take a look at Mike Brewer and Tom Shipley from Summerfest in 1972. Check out the stage lights and rigging! We have come a long way.

You need to be a little older to remember these guys.  Remember the songs, One Toke Over The Line and Tarkio Road? Those were great tunes among the many others that they did.

Enjoy!

Thanks,

Rich Zimmermann

May 18, 2015

At Summerfest in 1972, on the Schlitz Country Stage, Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee performed.

The duo are folk legends, having worked with Woddy Guthrie, Big Bill Broonzy and touring constantly for years.

Brownie McGhee on guitar, and Sonny Terry on harmonica, are both self taught musicians! That's amazing and awesome!

They have appeared on Broadway, and as themselves, with Steve Martin, in the film, The Jerk.

When I photographed them, I did not know about them, but really enjoyed their playing and should have photographed them more!

The photos are old, and not the greatest, but the one photo of the old Schlitz Country Stage, is fun to see what is looked like back then! I'm so old!

Enjoy and have a great week.

Thanks,

Rich Zimmermann

March 24, 2014

At Summerfest in 1972, the Mahavishnu Orchestra with John McLaughlin in charge put on a wonderful show.

There are not many acts that come to Summerfest without vocals or a vocalist. This is one such band! No need for a singer when all your compositions are this beautiful!

The 1972 version of this band was it's best for many reasons, but mostly because of Billy Cobham who played drums. Billy is one of the best drummers in the world. Jan Hammer on keyboards is terrific too.

John McLaughlin and his Gibson EDS-1275 double neck SG guitar pictured here produce some amazing sounds!

Enjoy some photographs of the men at work on a nice summer day in 1972.

Please join me on Facebook at Rich Zimmermann Photography if you have not already.

Thanks,

Rich Zimmermann

March 17, 2014

At Milwaukee's Summerfest in July of 1972, one of my favorite bands played, Quicksilver Messenger Service.

They shared the stage that night with The Doors and if I remember correctly, there was a bit of a fight that night. The reason was because Quicksilver played too long and went into The Doors time slot! I remember it getting ugly.

The band and the lineup has changed a lot over the years. They have reformed and toured as recent as 2010, along with old San Francisco friends Jefferson Starship. I hope they get together again and show up in Milwaukee soon.

Enjoy a look at the band in 1972 and have a great week.

Please join me on Facebook at Rich Zimmermann Photography. I made it to 50 likes this past week!!

Thanks,

Rich Zimmermann