Listen NOW !!!
to some classic cuts from Abraham's Children and Jimi Bertucci.
This week we are featuring - Some Things Last
Forever, Dark Side, Winning Side and Sempre. If you like what
you hear, we encourage you to order the full cd. Thank you
|
 |
 |
|
 Music and photography
came together on September 26th 1960 in Ottawa Canada when 50s
international rock and roll star Brenda Lee came to sing for
her fans. John Rowlands, a 13 year old teenager who lived in
a part of Ottawa called 'Manor Park' was a big fan of the popular
recording artist. With an advance on his 10 cents a week allowance,
money made from his 77 drop morning paper route, and cash made
from helping the local milkman he bought a ticket to the Brenda
Lee Show. Sensing that it was a long shot that she might ever
be his girlfriend he took along his father's camera, a single
roll of film and 12 very large flash bulbs. It was likely the
only way he would ever take her home. Brenda's guest appearance
on the Perry Como show a week earlier and the anticipation of
seeing her in person made it easier to force his way through
the packed crowd to the lip of the stage.He was not disappointed
as he watched and listened, loaded the bulbs one at a time and
flashed his way through her show and the only 12-exposure Kodak
127 film he had. In those days the family camera might take a
year to fill a single roll with images but this night was more
than special.When Brenda left the stage and the house lights
rose the crowd headed towards the exits. No security team, no
small police force to speed you towards the door as soon as physically
possible. When the show was over everyone left. Rowlands followed
his peers as they headed through the seating towards the exits
until he saw a sign in a hallway that would change his life.
It read "Brenda Lee and the Casuals" and it was their
dressing room. Without a moments thought he walked down the hall
and knocked on the door not knowing what to expect or say if
and when it opened. Perhaps Brenda had already left the building.Brenda's
Mother opened the door and after hearing that he wanted to tell
her he had enjoyed the show and ask for her autograph she allowed
him in and introduced her daughter. The band was busy packing
and loading. The recording star and the fan sat beside each other
on a dressing room bench and talked for almost a half an hour,
he got her autograph, her address and even copied down the Tennessee
license plate number from her station wagon and for carrying
one of her suitcases to the car he got a kiss goodnight.When
Rowlands finally walked out of the Metcalfe St. Auditorium he
was easily 6 inches off the floor. He had just lived a dream
for 2 1/2 hours that now felt like it had rocketed by in about
30 seconds. Taking the bus home he got off two stops early so
he could walk in the clear night air and relive his memories
before having to act calm and unaffected in telling the tale
to his parents. Rock and roll was still very undefined by the
parents of teenagers in 1960 and most thought it would amount
to no good. Rowlands had a bit of an edge though, his father
Ross was a former radio morning man now high ranked in the military
and it was his Dad who enjoyed The Steve Allen Show and let his
two oldest sons watch Elvis on the Ed Sullivan Show. His Dad
bought him a stereo record player and his first long playing
album, Chet Atkins Teensville, for his 13th. birthday. ( read
more about John ) From Spotlight Heroes
|
 |
 |
I've had the pleasure of working with
John since the seventies. We have become great friends over the
years and as faith would have it, we now live very close to each
other. I have learned to more than appreciate his work. I 've
come to understand it.His photographic art is spontaneous and
accurate. He has the ability to capture the second that counts.
The detail, lighting, positioning the emotion of the composition.
His work makes the artist or subject the center of attention.
His years of clicking the good, the bad and sometimes the ugly,
has earned him a cornerstone of recognition in the world of photography.
These days he continues to apply his talents producing videos
and designing websites as well as clicking.
|
 |
All site content (e.g.
clips, stills, designs, audio samples, etc.) is protected by
intellectual property law any use without the written permission
is strictly prohibited ©2007. All rights reserved. Marisa
Lang Management email us mlang@rogers.com
PLEASE CONTACT THE WEBMASTER
IF YOU NOTICE ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE PAGES
|
