hopephotographyROCKS: in the beginning... sort of!

Ever since I attended my first concert, T. Rex and Blue Oyster Cult I was hooked on live music. My second show which was Foghat at the Jubilee Auditorium in 1977 was my first experience at being close to the stage and I never wanted to be in the back again. There is something about being up close to the action that enhances the live experience. There is an energy that just seems to diminish the further back you go. Soon after that I got my first camera and really wanted to try and capture that live action on film so I could look back and remember what it was like. The first show I took my new camera to was Kiss and Cheap Trick. When I track down those images I will put some up for viewing, although I was not up front and had no idea what I was doing it was all fun. Led Zeppelin was my next adventure and I travelled to Seattle in 1977 with my new 200mm lens in tow. The Kingdome was packed outside when we arrived and I somehow managed to be unchecked as I passed through the security with my camera. I WAS IN! Some others were not so lucky, apparently cameras were not allowed. Who knew. It was the concert event of a lifetime there I was with my camera and my rock idols on stage in front of me. I think I was shaking so much from excitement at the start of the show I didn't even bother to look through the camera. I was 17 years old and this band was everything to me. Heaven would not have measured up. The greatest band in the world, 20,000 people, three sets, an awesome tour shirt and I got pictures. Life was good. Here is a little taste. Put on a little Physical Graffiti and enjoy.