Quote: @Wetlander said:
Who's the nicest person you've photographed?
What inspired you to get into photography?
Any embarrassing/funny stories you want to share in your photography career? Could be you or someone you were working with.
Thanks for joining us for some Q&A!
LOL, i was thinking the opposite, like who is the biggest ass hat celeb.
but spinning off your "higher road" theme,
Who is a celeb that really didnt turn out to fit their image, who really surprised as to being down to earth and decent, or having some really genuine interests that were notable? ( I think of that DT/DE we had a couple years ago that was pretty smart and into more intellectual endeavors away from football.)
Glad to see you here, wondering if you may have some Pic's or memories of the Mpls scene in the 80's. Like the Longhorn or local bands, left the cities in 82 , and it always seemed a special time. Commando's, the Burbs, Twin/Tone... just a lot of fun at the time, most of which I think I remember.
Quote: @"Rob Shanahan" said:
Thanks for the nice intro....HELLO SOTA/VIKING FANS! I've been bleeding purple ever since my dad had season tix at Met Stadium. I've seen Tarkenton, Foreman, Rashad, Page, Eller, Marshall, etc....LIVE! Like Thielen, I'm an MSU alumni. I lived in GAGE Towers while the Vikes were there for Training Camp. I moved to Los Angeles in 1988, but never left my VIKINGS. Before ROCK STARS, I was shooting pro sports and was a contract photographer for the NFL, including a handful of Vikes games. Let's DO THIS, ASK ME ANYTHING....!
Welcome Rob - anyone who loves the Vikings and Charlie Watts is an Ok
dude in my book. I too, love them both and have been a Stones fan since
Jr. High (I'm 59 now). My first two albums were Some Girls and Get Yer
Ya Ya's, and I fell in love ever since. I had a blast seeing them with
a bunch of friends back in '21 at the Bank Stadium - so much fun!
Losing Charlie was like losing a friend who never knew me, but I still
loved - RIP Charlie. It's so cool you got to hang with Charlie and
Ringo, and I bet you have some great stories. I saw Ringo's son, Zak
Starkey, play with the Who - Wow. He was banging like he was Keith
Moon!
When you're doing Viking photos in Minnesota, what
era of Vikings did you shoot? Did you get a chance to engage with
certain players and coaches? I'm also an old school North Stars fan and
now follow the Wild. Any good stories about NHL players or the Twins you could
share too - Thanks!
See answers:
@ Wetlander said: Quote:
Who's the nicest person you've photographed? There are MANY, but Charlie Watts stands out. As does Keith Richards. The finest English Gentlemen in every sense of the word. Joe Walsh, super guy....Sheila E., we go WAY back. She's a truly amazing person, and one of the best drummers. And she does it in high heels.  But as mentioned, there are MANY!
What inspired you to get into photography? As mentioned, my family Pentax camera was a magic machine for me, just kept at it. I moved to LA when I was 22 with that camera and a drum kit and had to make a living, camera seemed the better way to survive then getting a real job lol.
Any embarrassing/funny stories you want to share in your photography career? I was out on the road with Aerosmith many years ago, and they would give me full access on stage during the show...one time Steven walked up to me and serenaded directly into my lens from a few feet away, then came in to "fog" my lens and clean it with his scarf...
Thanks for joining us for some Q&A! YOU BET
![[Image: jc3lb51hiv0k.jpg]](https://vikefans.com/vfforums/uploads/editor/ju/jc3lb51hiv0k.jpg)
Quote: @JimmyinSD said:
LOL, i was thinking the opposite, like who is the biggest ass hat celeb. I'll never tell, but I am writing a book...
but spinning off your "higher road" theme,
Who is a celeb that really didnt turn out to fit their image, who really surprised as to being down to earth and decent, or having some really genuine interests that were notable? This would have to be (again) Mr. Charlie Watts of the Rolling Stones. The complete UN-rock star, who while not touring with the Stones operated a successful horse stud farm in the English countryside with his wife of 60 years. He compiled a MASSIVE collection of rare and historical items of the music world, like drum kits from notable drummers like Buddy Rich and Gene Krupa, Dizzy Gillespie suits, Charlie Parker's saxophone, and something I assisted with in his acquisition, a drum kit from Elvis Presley's drummer DJ Fontana. THE one used in the studio on all those classic Elvis hits. (and yes I sat behind that kit and payed it, oh so gently). He also collected American classic cars and has a barn full. He was also a US Civil War buff and could tell us all way more about it than we ever learned in school. I loved Charlie big time, I was one of the fortunate ones who got to spend a lot of time with him and hang in his dressing room. Not many did, it was super rarified air as he wasn't typically into "hanging around and chatting". I miss him. If you want to read more of my history with Charlie, go to my blog. Cool story on the day I spent with he and Ringo Starr, and another iconic drummer, Jim Keltner!
https://www.robshanahan.art/blog
Quote: @BigAl99 said:
Glad to see you here, wondering if you may have some Pic's or memories of the Mpls scene in the 80's. Like the Longhorn or local bands, left the cities in 82 , and it always seemed a special time. Commando's, the Burbs, Twin/Tone... just a lot of fun at the time, most of which I think I remember.
Thanks BigAl99, yes the 80's were a special time, it's super cool how much great music comes out of MPLS! I'd see pretty much every touring rock band that came through town, and tons of great local bands. Remember Slave Raider? Dare Force? Chameleon, with Yanni on keyboards and Charlie Adams on drums? Too bad I wasn't friends with Sheila E. back then, she has amazing stories about Prince. She still owns a house on Lake Minnetonka.
Quote: @"Rob Shanahan" said:
@ JimmyinSD said:
LOL, i was thinking the opposite, like who is the biggest ass hat celeb. I'll never tell, but I am writing a book...
but spinning off your "higher road" theme,
Who is a celeb that really didnt turn out to fit their image, who really surprised as to being down to earth and decent, or having some really genuine interests that were notable? This would have to be (again) Mr. Charlie Watts of the Rolling Stones. The complete UN-rock star, who while not touring with the Stones operated a successful horse stud farm in the English countryside with his wife of 60 years. He compiled a MASSIVE collection of rare and historical items of the music world, like drum kits from notable drummers like Buddy Rich and Gene Krupa, Dizzy Gillespie suits, Charlie Parker's saxophone, and something I assisted with in his acquisition, a drum kit from Elvis Presley's drummer DJ Fontana. THE one used in the studio on all those classic Elvis hits. (and yes I sat behind that kit and payed it, oh so gently). He also collected American classic cars and has a barn full. He was also a US Civil War buff and could tell us all way more about it than we ever learned in school. I loved Charlie big time, I was one of the fortunate ones who got to spend a lot of time with him and hang in his dressing room. Not many did, it was super rarified air as he wasn't typically into "hanging around and chatting". I miss him. If you want to read more of my history with Charlie, go to my blog. Cool story on the day I spent with he and Ringo Starr, and another iconic drummer, Jim Keltner!
https://www.robshanahan.art/blog
Your blog tribute to Charlie is beautifully written, Rob (love all the Stones songs references). I admit it choked me up a couple times, and I can tell the admiration you have for Charlie. It must've been so heart felt when Charlie reached out to you, as a friend. Congratulations on your career. You come across as a very humble person, but I think you must be a very talented artist and those around you notice.To me it was Charlie that grounded the band. The craziness of the Stones would have ended that band years ago (decades?), but Charlie was their calming force that they all loved and needed.I do remember Keith telling the great story of Charlie punching Mick in the face, however. Apparently he didn't like being told he was Mick's drummer, LOL!
Thanks for posting!
by the way... I love that pic of EVH, that speaks to how he played, when they hit the main scene his sound was like a punch in the face, but I dont think he really found his sound until later, but it was still awesome to be able to grow up listening to Van Halen as they learned to be musical artists, not just rockers.
Quote: @HappyViking said:
@"Rob Shanahan" said:
Thanks for the nice intro....HELLO SOTA/VIKING FANS! I've been bleeding purple ever since my dad had season tix at Met Stadium. I've seen Tarkenton, Foreman, Rashad, Page, Eller, Marshall, etc....LIVE! Like Thielen, I'm an MSU alumni. I lived in GAGE Towers while the Vikes were there for Training Camp. I moved to Los Angeles in 1988, but never left my VIKINGS. Before ROCK STARS, I was shooting pro sports and was a contract photographer for the NFL, including a handful of Vikes games. Let's DO THIS, ASK ME ANYTHING....!
Welcome Rob - anyone who loves the Vikings and Charlie Watts is an Ok
dude in my book. I too, love them both and have been a Stones fan since
Jr. High (I'm 59 now). My first two albums were Some Girls and Get Yer
Ya Ya's, and I fell in love ever since. I had a blast seeing them with
a bunch of friends back in '21 at the Bank Stadium - so much fun!
Losing Charlie was like losing a friend who never knew me, but I still
loved - RIP Charlie. It's so cool you got to hang with Charlie and
Ringo, and I bet you have some great stories. I saw Ringo's son, Zak
Starkey, play with the Who - Wow. He was banging like he was Keith
Moon!
When you're doing Viking photos in Minnesota, what
era of Vikings did you shoot? Did you get a chance to engage with
certain players and coaches? I'm also an old school North Stars fan and
now follow the Wild. Any good stories about NHL players or the Twins you could
share too - Thanks!
Your avatar is a purple Stones tongue, I love you already! I was at that show in 21 at The Bank, first tour without Charlie, but Steve Jordan rocked it. Fun Fact: I've been drumming with the Hollywood Stones (Stones tribute) for 28 years, I wanted to fill Charlie's spot but Steve was a great choice. And a dear friend. We have breakfasts while on the road and discuss Charlie grooves.
As for my Vikings photos, unfortunately I was shooting that tragic playoff loss to the Falcons in sudden death overtime in 98. Still hurts. Also shot a few other games in the Dome mid-90's, and any time they hit the West Coast, which is where you'd usually find me any given Sunday since I'm LA based. One year, the Cris Carter Upper Deck football card was my photo. I brought it with me to a game and had him sign it. My nephew now has it. Also met Joey Browner at a Clippers game, he's an LA native and opened a print shop somewhere here in LA. We exchanged business cards, it's here somewhere in my files! Also, had lunch with Brad Johnson many years ago at a NFL Celebrity golf tournament, which I used to shoot every year here in So Cal at LA Costa.
As for NHL, I too was a huge North Stars fan until they moved! I'm friends with Luc Robitaille, Hall of Fame left winger and now President of the LA Kings. I shot his wife's record cover about 25 years ago and we became friends.
Quote: @HappyViking said:
@"Rob Shanahan" said:
@ JimmyinSD said:
LOL, i was thinking the opposite, like who is the biggest ass hat celeb. I'll never tell, but I am writing a book...
but spinning off your "higher road" theme,
Who is a celeb that really didnt turn out to fit their image, who really surprised as to being down to earth and decent, or having some really genuine interests that were notable? This would have to be (again) Mr. Charlie Watts of the Rolling Stones. The complete UN-rock star, who while not touring with the Stones operated a successful horse stud farm in the English countryside with his wife of 60 years. He compiled a MASSIVE collection of rare and historical items of the music world, like drum kits from notable drummers like Buddy Rich and Gene Krupa, Dizzy Gillespie suits, Charlie Parker's saxophone, and something I assisted with in his acquisition, a drum kit from Elvis Presley's drummer DJ Fontana. THE one used in the studio on all those classic Elvis hits. (and yes I sat behind that kit and payed it, oh so gently). He also collected American classic cars and has a barn full. He was also a US Civil War buff and could tell us all way more about it than we ever learned in school. I loved Charlie big time, I was one of the fortunate ones who got to spend a lot of time with him and hang in his dressing room. Not many did, it was super rarified air as he wasn't typically into "hanging around and chatting". I miss him. If you want to read more of my history with Charlie, go to my blog. Cool story on the day I spent with he and Ringo Starr, and another iconic drummer, Jim Keltner!
https://www.robshanahan.art/blog
Your blog tribute to Charlie is beautifully written, Rob (love all the Stones songs references). I admit it choked me up a couple times, and I can tell the admiration you have for Charlie. It must've been so heart felt when Charlie reached out to you, as a friend. Congratulations on your career. You come across as a very humble person, but I think you must be a very talented artist and those around you notice.To me it was Charlie that grounded the band. The craziness of the Stones would have ended that band years ago (decades?), but Charlie was their calming force that they all loved and needed.I do remember Keith telling the great story of Charlie punching Mick in the face, however. Apparently he didn't like being told he was Mick's drummer, LOL!
Thanks for posting!
Thank you for the kind words. I'm glad you read the Charlie tribute. It was a complete honor for me to be asked by the world's leading drum magazine (Modern Drummer) to write the tribute to Charlie. By the way...I used to buy that magazine when it first came out in 78' at Dahlgren-Thompson Drum Shop (now a wig shop) in downtown MPLS, which was across the street from Schmitt Music. The iconic building with the big Maurice Ravel score "Gaspard de la Nuit” wall mural! Aahhh, the memories.
And you are correct; Mick was the rock, Keith was the roll, but Charlie was the anchor. And I love the Charlie punching Mick story, a true classic! And yes, he put on his 3-piece suit before doing so, a true English Gentleman!
One more thing, Charlie's daughter reached out to thank me for capturing the Charlie that only the family would see, and we've started this beautiful friendship. This meant more to me than anything of my career. As tears go by...
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