Home about the photographer - mike padgett |
I don’t know how exactly the music photography passion emerged, but I have a guess that it probably had something to do with my first rock concert back in December of 1978. My first rock show was with a band called Kiss, you may have heard of them. They had very dramatic and theatric shows that completely got my attention. I was in the upper level of the balcony at the old Chicago Stadium and was still able to feel the heat from their fire blasts all the way up there. They had more visual appeal on so many levels that I can only imagine that this was what got me interested in taking photographs of the bands from then on. Soon afterwards, there was a new wave of music from across the pond, as the NWOBHM music began. That was short for New Wave Of British Heavy Metal with bands like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Saxon, Motorhead, and many others would follow. This music was loud, exciting, and very visual. Bright flood lights, flash pots, elaborate castle stages, fire blasts, motorcycles, and stage props of all kinds would find their way onto the stage, and the bands never sounded or looked better. It was an Alice Cooper show on steroids. I think one of my earliest shows that I brought a camera to was for a band called Angel in 1979 at the infamous Aragon Ballroom (or Brawlroom depending on the crowd). I learned quickly how to compose a good photo but also learned how difficult it can be to shoot a subject in limited light with or without a flash. I honed the skills over time. It was also nice to have my friends become interested in a photo or two that I took at the concert. I looked at those pictures as souvenirs to remember the show by, and I was starting to get hooked on bringing the camera every time. I briefly attempted to make something of the photography as a business back in the early to mid 1980’s, even watching and learning from some of the local Chicago photographers who went on to pro status soon afterwards. Paul Natkin of Photo Reserve is an amazing music photographer that I’ve always watched and envied at the same time. He had the connections and access and was getting the shots I knew I could get as well, just maybe a few rows behind him. Gene Ambo was another local photographer that I watched and learned from. They are both successful in the business to this day. Other photographers that I admired in this genre but never met are Anastasia Pantsios, Neil Zlozower, and Ross Halfin. I just kept shooting live concert photos and it stayed as a hobby with very few pictures ever getting reprinted outside of my own personal library. As time went on, the restrictions for cameras became more enforced, and security would confiscate film and camera equipment if caught inside. That made my life as a photographer very limited for the larger shows, but I was still able to get the pictures at the local clubs or out of the Chicago area, at least for a little while longer. I don’t know exactly when the “passion” faded, but it did soon after all the imposed restrictions. I still find myself from time to time wanting to get back into the game of music photography. Maybe someday… The photos offered here at LiveLoudPhotos.com have never been published anywhere before and are really for the fans. There is a wide variety available from AC/DC to Y&T. After I printed some of my favorites and framed them onto my music room walls, I realized that there are probably a few of us 80’s music fans around the world that would want to do the same. We offer these unique photos of some of your favorite bands for your enjoyment and to bring you back to a great musical time of our lives. Rock On! Michael Padgett – July 2008 |