February 26
Had a very nice night out with Anja Lee Sorensen last
night - very romantic. I'd turned off my mobile, ignored
my home phone and just switched off...
Got up this morning to find messages from the police
telling me my alarm had gone off - couldn't work it
out at all, until I realised it's my old cat Jinx setting
it off. I'm looking after him while my ex, "The
Evil One", is abroad...
Spent today recovering from my night out. I'm too old
for raving...
Christophe from Paris sent me a nice French feature
on the Hendrix book.
Sally from Genesis sent over Zacron's outtake photos
from the Led Zeppelin III cover. Which are very nice
and haven't been seen.
The Guardian had two good articles on Hunter S. Thompson.
One by Paul Theroux and a great one on Hunter the rock
star by Andrew Mueller, who pointed out that his lifestyle
and poor writing is emulated by most journalists early
in their careers, eg Peter Makowski (who is a good writer
when he wants to be).
Spending the evening watching Switchblade Romance, a
French love story on dvd.....
February 25
More snow - I hate winter. My GF, Anja, is trying to
get me to go skiing - she has no chance! There are four
things in life I won't do; skiing, camping (give me
a five-star hotel anyday), fishing, and horse riding...
Spent this morning shooting my garden statues in the
snow
Got two nice 7-inch singles - Jethro Tull,
Italian on the pink Island Label, and T Rex 1st
Swedish pressing. And you've got to admit Marc
Bolan and Mickey Finn were two of the most beautiful
men you'll ever see... |
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February 24
A big thank you to Darren Edwards for sending me Jethro
Tull Live at the Isle of Wight on DVD. It's from 1970,
when they were in their heyday. Can't wait to watch
it!
Jamie, the editor of Metal Hammer, gave me the new issue
which has a Lars interview. Out of boredom I read it
on the train - I'd forgotten how much Lars goes on and
on and on... I thought Joel McIver would ask some pertinent
questions - he started to, then turned into a gushing
fan. The interview ended up as sycophantic drivel...
Got a lot of nice emails, supporting Hunter S....
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Got a new cover of a Japanese magazine with
Koyuki (Kazuyo asked who that was... "she's
ugly" - just jealous). |
February 23
AAARGH... Still snowing. Had a load of emails (all
from the USA) complaining about my Hunter S. Thompson
quote - they were all from the midwest of America.
Here's some Ozzy from LA. |
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February 22
Steve Gorman sent me this - quite appropriate. Could
never work out if Hunter was a genius or a complete
tosser.
Pete Makowski raved about him, but this was in the days
when Peter wanted to emulate him by getting as out of
it as possible and trying to write - he would normally
fail...
"We have become a Nazi monster in the eyes
of the whole world--a nation of bullies and bastards
who would rather kill than live peacefully. We are not
just Whores for power and oil, but killer whores with
hate and fear in our hearts. We are human scum, and
that is how history will judge us...No redeeming social
value. Just whores. Get out of our way, or
we'll kill you. Who does vote for these dishonest shitheads?
Who among us can be happy and proud of having this
innocent blood on our hands? Who are these swine? These
flag-sucking half-wits who get fleeced and fooled by
stupid rich kids like George Bush? They are the same
ones who wanted to have Muhammad Ali locked up for refusing
to kill gooks. They speak for all that is cruel and
stupid and vicious in the American character. They are
the racists and hate
mongers among us--they are the Ku Klux Klan. I piss
down the throats of these Nazis. And I am too old to
worry about whether they like it or not. Fuck them."
Hunter S. Thompson... RIP
Snowing today and it's freezing.
Don't forget the Priest are back, defending the faith......
February 21
I was going to put up some Grammy photos but
got the new issue of Precious with Koyuki - much
more interesting. |
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And here's Total Guitar with Dimebag. |
February 19
REM at Hammersmith. My old friend Mark "Rangi"
Williamson works for them - he is not a man to be messed
with. Anyway, I've never really liked them - too wimpy
for me.
Michael Stipe is striking. With blue paint over his
eyes he looks like The Riddler in Batman - he's very
charismatic, great on stage. Peter Buck has the limpist
Les Paul sound ever, and does some VERY poor Pete Townshend
jumps. The video screen is the best I have ever seen
- it would make a great live dvd. Everybody Hurts is
the best song of the night, you could have heard a pin
drop...
February 18
Had a lot of Aerosmith fans asking about the new Joe
Perry cd/album cover. I hadn't seen it - it's on the
Aerosmith website (thank you Elizabeth Sloan). Looks
like an Elvis album cover, I like it a lot...
I might be going to Australia with Ozzy next week...
Got a lot of people asking about my Grammy snapshots,
they will be up early next week - including Paul Stanley
(for his number 1 fan, John Bionelli).
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New issue of Burrn has my Judas Priest session
from last year - don't forget THE PRIEST are back... |
February 17
Check my fan mail. I've been asked to put some Saxon
up - oh yes, I'm certainly looking forward to searching
for those negs...
February 16
Land at London Heathrow 2 hours early - oh well, I've
survived...
February 15
Finally do some work - shoot Ozzy in the grounds of
the Sunset Marquis. He's lost loads of weight, looks
good. Sharon comes with him to say hello. Shoot in a
construction site - the mud looks like a lunar landscape.
I'm very pleased with how it looks.
Pack and rush to the airport - I'm late. 5.30pm flight
from LA. It's really turbulent. I don't mind flying,
but I start getting really freaked out - thinking I've
flown too much and this is it as we get thrown around
the sky. Eventually relax and go to sleep.
February 14
Valentines Day and I'm on my own!!! - need a bit of
Danish...
See Bob Rock having a power breakfast with James Diener.
Bob is, by the look of him, trying to compete with Steven
Segal for waist size. I ask him if he's been cleared
by Dr. Phil (Metallica's psychiatrist). 'Have you seen
the film?' he asks me. 'Don't be stupid,' I tell him,
'it's controlled by them - like yourself...' See James
later. Bob has asked him if I hate him - Bob needs to
get a sense of humour.
Go to see Dr. Eleise Briscoe to have my eyes tested.
I don't mind at all, as she is Vietnamese. I ask her
what is wrong with them - she looks at me, 'old age'
- go to get new glasses.
Clown and Sid from Slipknot are at the hotel.
Took some pictures of Sid yesterday dressed up
in his gas mask. |
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John Bionelli comes to visit and brings me a Valentines
present - gay throat spray (I'm serious) - apparently
it helps you meet men and talk in a European accent.
Now I know what Lars has been using all these years...
John's off to New Zealand tonight with Slash, who I've
just name-dropped for Paul Stanley... I bought Gold
Kiss's new remastered greatest hits in Tower today -
off to run to it in the gym.
Supposed to go to a Be Cool premiere for the new Steven
Tyler movie. It's very star-studded - Uma Thurman, John
Travolta, Danny DeVito, Steven Tyler, to name but a
few. I know I sound jaded but after a weekend of this
I can't be bothered...
End up meeting my niece, Lorna, who is in LA with her
boyfriend. I haven't seen her since she was 9. She has
a pierced tongue and, disgustingly, smokes. I ask if
she likes Japanese. 'Och aye,' she says - she's Scottish!
We go for sushi. 'I dinna eat raw fish' she says - What??
You have to understand that every restaurant in LA is
booked up, it's Valentines Day. After ordering a very
expensive meal of which she eats virtually nothing she
asks 'Do you want to go to a club?' Me - 'No!' I leave
her and head to Tower Records. I'm the only one there
- everyone else must be out shagging.
February 13
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Grammy Awards at the Staples Center. The place
is enormous. Because of who I'm with I get to sit
in the second row at the front next to Tyra Banks
(most famous model in America). Steven Tyler was
in the row behind wondering how I managed to get
my seat. Tyra had so much make-up on, if she smiled
it would have cracked. She seemed very miserable.
In front of me was The Very Nice Penelope Cruz
with Matthew What's-his-name - her boyfriend, the
actor. She is still not as nice as Koyuki, or Maggie
Cheung... |
Usher was magnificent and I don't even like urban music.
U2 were highly pretentious and the All Star jam off
Across the Universe was feeble... I know I'm old but
the highlight was Lynyrd Skynyrd - well I am from the
south (of London).
Went to a do for Ahmet Ertegun. Kid Rock made
a very funny speech. Place was full of drunk
people. Saw Steve Vai, but couldn't talk to him
as we were rushing to the Warner's party at the
Pacific Design Center. Great party - spent the
whole night being a "bodyguard". Kirk
Hammett cornered me. He's with Scott Ian and
his assistants from Linkin Park. Overwhelmed
to see his hero (and I don't mean Jimmy Page),
he kept kissing me and telling me he loved me
and saying he's glad I'm not Danish, unlike his
drummer. He can't wait for me to shoot Metallica
again - I'm not holding my breath... |
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Got to bed at 3am and couldn't sleep. I'm gonna try
and have a normal day tomorrow.
February 12
Back at the hotel. Spend the early hours of
the morning in the Whiskey Bar with Billy Gibbons,
who is very funny but rather the worse for wear
- if you get my point. Kid Rock is also in there.
He starts out ok then gets into a tirade of "fuck
the Grammy's" etc, etc... It starts to become
really boring and embarrassing. |
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Wake up tired again. I'm getting too old for
night life. Go to the Biltmore Hotel in downtown
LA. Led Zeppelin are getting a lifetime achievment
award. Shoot Jimmy with Jerry Lee Lewis who is
so southern I can't understand a word he says. |
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Jason Bonham is there (nice to see him, he's
looking very healthy at the moment) and Dave
Grohl who tells me John Paul Jones played on
his album last night. Robert Plant didn't turn
up, but did a very odd video message. Not really
thanking anyone and announcing his "new" tour? |
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On the way out Jimmy met Ike Turner. He is a
big man, like a body builder. He is 70 and looks
great for his age. JP hadn't seen him since 1966
when he toured with him in Germany. |
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Back at the hotel for an hour then off to Clive Davis.
Very A-list party at the Beverly Hills Hotel - Janet
Jackson, Sharon Stone, Iman, Prince, Beyonce, Quincy
Jones, Robin Williams, The Foo Fighters, Alicia Keyes,
Mario, and a whole host of urban artists whose names
I don't know. Arrive to a hail of paparazzi flash guns.
As they say in English, the place is full of some stunning
"Birds". I could marry most of them.
Sitting at our table is Paul Stanley, who tells
me he is addicted to my website - he reads it in
the middle of the night when he can't sleep (Gene
Simmons probably would - if I paid him) and his
girlfriend Erin. He tells JP he can't tell if I
name drop him or Slash the most. |
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The bright lighting is suddenly obscured by a figure
nearly as big as the ballroom we're in. It's Steven
Segal... I am not joking, he is physically HUGE.
A bit like a Buddha - well he claims to be into Eastern
Religion when he is not killing 5000 people with
one hand. Much to our surprise he's at our table.
Paul, Jimmy and I watch him consume all of the dessert
- he puts his glasses on then consumes 2 tiers of
pastries from giant plates... I mean everything.
We're all nudging each other, trying not to laugh.
As Steven leaves someone who shall remain nameless
says, 'He must be off to Dunkin' Donuts!'
First on to perform is Fantasia - surprisingly
good. A lot like Macy Gray. Chaka Khan gets up
to do a duet. She is enormous. Paul looks round
and says 'I think she's been to dinner with Steven
Segal'... Jamie Foxx is good as well and so are
Maroon 5 with Def Mo, whoever he is (I'll have
to ask my son). Usher sits at our table. He looks
very young - well, I suppose he is. Kelly Osbourne
is at our table but when she sees what a bunch
of geriatrics we are she swiftly disappears. |
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Clive Davis introduces Jimmy and JPJ to a standing
ovation. We all start to flag at 12:30am and leave
after Usher's performance. His voice is superb. |
As we are leaving see Billy Gibbons in front of us
shakily leaving the building with a very nice date.
I am very jealous...
February 11
It's pouring today - LA monsoon rain. See Brian Bumbury,
Greenday PR and fine human being...
Off to the Palladium (still raining) for a Brian Wilson
tribute concert. Now I'm not a fan - I like one song
- Jimmy likes them and Jeff Beck is playing. Lots of
people on I don't know. Richie Sambora is awful - overplaying
and his guitar sound is horrible, throwing rock star
poses and overdoing it embarrassingly... In a Blaze
Of Glory. Jamie Callum plays the only song I like -
Sail On Sailor. He is fantastic, and so is Jeff Beck
on Surfs Up.
Brian Wilson plays at the end - it was strange, like
watching an austic child staring into space...
February 10
Wake up at 4am, wake up at 5am, give up and get up
at 6.30am. My day is starting early!
End up spending the day running around with Wilf Wright
and Jimmy. Go to the Beverly Center, where he doesn't
get hassled, and then Amobea Records - where he gets
really hassled...
End the night at the Chateau Marmont - run into Jack
Osbourne who looks very well.
February 9
Fly to Los Angeles today - sold out and the flight
seems loooong... Immigration has two counters open -
it takes nearly as long as the flight. Alright, I know
I'm exaggerating.
Check in the usual hotel, find Jeff Beck in the room
next to me - haven't seen him since I shot him for Mojo
last year. He looks younger, he definitely has a Peter
Pan quality about him.
Decide to turn into superman and go to the gym - give
up after an hour...
Jimmy arrives at the hotel to find his room besieged
by fans. I use this term loosely as most of them seem
to be ebay bargain-hunters wanting signed stuff to sell.
Have to get security to remove them.
We were going to go out but end up in the hotel bar
with Jeff Beck. By the end of the evening we're too
tired...
February 7
Like a summer's day, except it's freezing. Got
some magazines of Koyuki from Japan. I'm told
she's still single so there's hope yet... |
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Speak to John Bionelli who's in Japan babysitting Velvet
Revolver. I'm meeting up with him in LA later this week.
February 5
Saturday morning and who's going to play with me? Anyway,
nice and sunny. Watched a Korean film called Failan
last night. It starts off violently and ends up one
of the saddest films you will ever see. Watched it with
Peter, we were both crying. It stars the very, very,
very lovely Cecilia Cheung.
As I have nothing to do I am going to meet my friend
Gordon Gheller for lunch.
Might go to see Rammstein tonight with the usual posse...
February 3
Dante Bonutto called and invited Jimmy Page and myself
to see Rammstein at the Brixton Academy. Got to say
we were really well looked after. I felt like a VIP
myself! The show was a scaled down version of Europe
but still impressive. I actually preferred it to the
show in Basle. Jimmy thought it was the best thing he
had seen in ages. Way better than he was expecting.
Watching Rammstein you realise how little effort most
bands put into their shows. Peter Makowski came along,
uninvited, but Jimmy likes him, so I couldn't pick on
him that much.
Jimmy was suprised that the band could get away with
using so much pyro in a small theatre. We were in the
balcony and you could feel the flames. Jimmy said 'I'm
amazed they got away with it! When we played Earls Court
in '75 we had a light show which was the equivalent
of a pencil laser and they tried to shut us down'. Pete
said 'Don't worry, if this part of London burnt down
to the ground the council would be quite happy'......
Get home to find someone had tried to break into my
garage. They're welcome to steal my back issues of Kerrang...
I'm going to make Peter sleep in there tonight with
my machete from Bali...
February 1
Go to London to meet up with Anton Brookes, PR
for The Mars Volta - do reportage shoot in the
very posh De Vere Hotel on Jermyn Street. Always
enjoy shooting them - I may meet up with them next
week in LA... I'm going for the Grammys with Jimmy
Page. |
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John Bionelli emailed me from Nagoya, on tour with
Velvet Revolver and missing Kazuyo and me - he must
be bored.
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