By Chuck Whiting
MCAU Editor
NASHVILLE -- Some people
are meant to be famous. They have a remarkable gift (something they love to do)
and make themselves available for cool things to happen -- without pushing the
envelope too hard. Photographer Henry
Diltz is one of those people. It's almost as if he stepped out of the
shower one day into rock 'n' roll legend. Of course, it wasn't as simple as all
that. He just happened to be at the right place at the right time. When
opportunity knocked, he said "yes".
Diltz shared
his incredible and remarkably fun stories during a show-and-tell "Behind the Lens" audiovisual
presentation on Sept. 13 at Nashville City Winery during the Americana MusicFest. Before going on, I have to say that Jed
Hilly and his staff have done a terrific job putting together one of the
best conferences and festivals in recent memory. The "Behind The Lens" event proves that the AMF has grown up and
then some.
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| Henry Diltz and his famous "Morrison Hotel" photo (Photo by Chuck Whiting) |
The
photographer perched on a stool to the right of a large screen, sharing
fascinating stories in sync with the passing frames.
"I'm
an observer," said Diltz, looking up at a photo of a beautiful girl in
high heels pumping gas. "I also was a fan of cannabis". His down-to-earth, good-natured talk drew
applause and laughter from the audience.
There were
photos of Buffalo Springfield, Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, Michael Jackson,
The Turtles, Jimmy Webb, Graham Nash, Blondie, George Harrison, and other
superstars of the '60s and '70s.
Diltz more
or less got his start with a surprise album shoot for the Hollies. His
notoriety grew when he was hired to shoot the Monkees for Tiger Beat. Other projects for the Partridge Family (David Cassidy),
Linda Ronstadt (Stone Poneys), and Cream (Eric Clapton) followed. During the
'70s, musicians were seeking him out for album covers, as well as hang time (as
they still do). They enjoyed the company of a man who was somewhat like them.
He could write and play songs, and he enjoyed smoking a little weed. He didn't
force them into unnatural poses.
All of his
photos were amazing, but three stood out to me especially.
* Joni
Mitchell and Graham Nash looking so much in love during their tender romance in
the late '60s. (Diltz spent a lot of time with Crosby, Stills, Nash &
Young.)
* An
accidental shot of James Taylor leaning on a post in his early days. The shot
was used as the cover for his second album, "Sweet Baby James".
* The cover
shot for the Doors' "Morrison Hotel". Diltz took the shot through a
window into the lobby of a run-down hotel. But getting the photo wasn't easy.
The hotel clerk ordered the band to leave when they began posing on a couch in
front of the window. They obeyed but quickly returned (at Diltz's urging) after
the employee left the room. The photo is one of the favorite items in his
collection.
What inspires
me most about Henry Diltz is that he knew, hung out with, and made art with
some of the greatest acts that ever took the rock 'n' roll stage. Yet, he's
about as relaxed and charming as anyone you might meet. Don't push too hard,
and let things happen naturally. Perhaps that's the answer for those of us who
aspire to bless others with our artistic talents.
***
By Wil Comstock
MCAU Contributing
Writer
I couldn’t
have been more excited about seeing Pattie
Boyd. I was not disappointed. Model, actress, first wife of George Harrison
and Eric Clapton. Sister-in-law of Mick Fleetwood and photographer
extraordinaire.
Pattie
started her presentation by showing us her modeling photos. She graced the cover of Vogue many times. Pattie explained that in those days the models
did their own makeup and had to carry several outfits and wigs. She noted, “Today they have all of that done
for them, and they make an absorbent amount of money."
 |
| Pattie Boyd talks photography at City Winery Nashville (Photo by Chuck Whiting) |
One day she
went on a modeling interview. Later that day she received a call from her agent
saying she got the role in the new Beatles film, "A Hard Day’s Night". She said at the time, “But I can’t act.” How
did I get that?" Her agent said it
was the interview she had gone on earlier in the day. Pattie went to the wrong interview! She did take the small part and met the
Beatles during her train scene. George
Harrison asked her out. On their first
date, Brian Epstein accompanied them. While dating and later marrying Harrison,
she continued to pursue her modeling career. At the same time, she started taking up
photography. George was a natural subject.
We saw lots of wonderful photos of George and Pattie with George.
While the
Beatles were in Australia, Pattie and her sister Jenny, also a model, went to a
Transcendental Meditation meeting in
London. She told George and the other Beatles about her experience when they
returned. Paul learned that the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi was going to be in London in two weeks.
The Maharishi invited the Beatles to visit him in the foothills of the
Himalayas. Pattie documented this time in India with stunning photos of the
Beatles, their wives, and Donovan. It
was during this time that most of the "White Album" was
written. Pattie explained that this was the last time she saw George totally
relaxed and at peace.
Eric Clapton and George became
friends and toured with Delaney and Bonnie. We were treated to lots of great
photos of Eric and George. Around this time, George wrote "Something"
for Pattie. Eric had a crush on Pattie, who at the time rebuffed his advances.
Later, when she and Harrison divorced, she starting dating and later married
Clapton, who wrote "Layla" and "Wonderful Tonight" for
her. Eventually, Eric and Pattie
divorced, but she continued to take photos for magazines and later have
exhibitions of her photography shown around the world.
For more information about the
Americana Music Festival, visit www.AmericanaMusic.org.
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