Diary
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 2003
 2004
 2005
 2006
 2007
 2008

March 29

Kevin THE CAVEMAN Shirley phoned to tell me he's just cycled fifty miles and lost eighty pounds. This is at 7am. Kevin thinks he's Superman or the Hulk. THE CAVEMAN invited me to a BBQ in the Malibu 'hood where his wife will give a Bible reading and Kevin 'God willing' will do a hundred push-ups. He told me about the Baby Animals, who I liked and photographed in the early nineties. 'I'm a home body and don't go out ' said THE CAVEMAN which in English means he's not allowed out unless with a member of his church or any member of Iron Maiden...

The Sex Pistols went well. I started at 10am, they were on time and got on with it (very rock'n'roll). They were asked to wear black so John Lydon turned up in light blue. John is very funny, he described hip hop with 'How would you like to walk around with a toilet seat covered in diamonds around your neck.' He pointed out all the bass and drums are lifted from the first Pil album. John hung out for most of the day, I got Karen to drive us to his house in Venice after he consumed about ten seabreezes (vodka and cranberry). 'I'm off to lunch, ' he declared at 4pm, stopping at a liquor store to stock up on beer.

Shane McGowan's tour manager rang at 8pm, 'Are the lads (Sex Pistols) still around, we've just got up...'

Had dinner with Paul Cook and his wife Jenny. Sitting at a huge table were Donnie Shiteman ,Frank Gangi and the "MALE" cast of Queer As Folk. Donnie now has silvered hair with a goatee. He was holding hands with various members of the cast looking gay in love and happy. 'If only Aerosmith could be like this,' he said. Danielle Friedman came by to say hello. 'Is that Donnie Shiteman?' She looked amazed as Donnie held court. If only Randle and John Bionelli had been there - "Back In The Saddle Again".

March 28

Well, after the sun/rain/snow of Easter London, Los Angeles is sunny, and best of all, warm...

As I'm checking into my hotel a Dickensian figure, half bent over in an old black suit, walks through the lobby to the patio and orders a large vodka and anything - it's Shane McGowan, looking so white in the sun his skin is translucent. Kazuyo - the filthy smelly dirty Japanese thing that works for me - LOVES him. Not likes, LOVES, in the same way I LOVE Gong Li, Maggie Chung, Maggie Q, Koyuki, Evelyn Lin. I go and speak to Shane who is quite coherent as he gulps down his drink. I even ring Kazuyo and put him on the phone, 'Konichiwa', Shane slurs. He looks puzzled and can't get off the phone. I finally get the phone back and she is furious, 'WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME, BAKA (Japanese for stupid), I WOULD HAVE COME TO LA! She was meant to come with me and was too lazy for the flight. 'MAKE SURE YOU GET PHOTOS OF HIM!' I say sayonara and leave her to drown in her tears.

I suggest to Shane the idea of a photo of him and John Lydon tomorrow in the hotel. I think he says yes but his accent is so thick and garbled he could be talking Martian.

Karen (L A slave) takes me to Amoeba where I buy a copy of Never Mind The Bollocks which I want to get signed. Karen has a "new" boyfriend who speaks Spanish. She tells me "Limpiar" is Spanish for "Cleaner", very handy to know if it's late at night and you need some "Cleaning" done.

We go for dinner at Ago, one of the three places I eat in the whole city. At the next table is a man burnt bright red, electric red with white hair standing on end. It is Dustin Hoffman. I think what a great photo Shane and Dustin would make, like an artist's palette, vivid colours. I finish the evening watching the "Cleaners" looking for business at the restaurant bar.

March 27

Ended up a nice day today. Drove down to Brighton to see Velvet Revolver, left as they went on as, after several phone calls and much toing and froing, I'm now going to Los Angeles in the morning to shoot the Sex Pistols - and I haven't packed anything.

I have an exihibition in Mexico City that I thought was in April 2009, I've now realised it is in April 2008, as in next week. It's been changed to the end of April/May so I'm back next week to sort out printing. Looked at Metallica negs today and found stuff I like that I've never printed - will print some for the show.

Matt Sorum has asked me to sell some art prints in his new store SorumNoce on Melrose, which he and I are working on at the moment. I'm going to have a look at his store this weekend.

More of pictures of Scott. See more...

 

March 26

Had lunch with Slash at Nobu, as you do. Slash doesn't eat fish so he stuck to chicken and I had toro and ikura.

Went to shoot Velvet Revolver at Brixton. It was good to shoot, no pressure and I got good stuff of all of them. Spent the first half of the show onstage then shot wide angle from the front. Matt Sorum filmed me with him for his website. Had an enjoyable night working.

Scott Weiland, Hyde Park Corner, Easter Monday. See more...

A couple more Desert Rock pictures

 

March 25

Went to see and shoot Velvet Revolver with Peter and our two "friends ", one from Burma and one from Bangkok. Kazuyo came along and would not go away. 'What are you two up to? Don't think I don't know.' She even chaperoned the girls back home to make sure our honour remained intact, which it did, unfortunately...

Saw Slash before the show, and Gilby Clarke, who was hanging out with Duff. I mentioned Mick Wall's version of War and Peace, "WAR". Duff would like to read it - Gilby's read it and says what Mick wrote is accurate.

People kept phoning me during the show as if I could have a conversation from the photo pit !?! Quite enjoyed it - back for more tomorrow.

Me and my Hero...

...and Peter with his hero

 

 

March 24

Started the day in the falling snow photographing Sons Of Albion who feature Logan Plant, son of the Thunder God Robert, on vocals. Well, it is Easter, talking about the son of God, and Robert Plant is the ultimate Rock God. It went well, considering it was snowing. We are going to have another go in a couple of weeks.

Drove home for ten minutes then picked up whinging Peter Makowski, complaining about his lot in life. I told him to go and tell that to a miner or a road digger - that life is hard. We headed back up to London to meet Scott Weiland who surprisingly turned up on time and even helped carry my camera gear. Did photos in the middle of Hyde Park Corner, the bit with all the war memorials - rather apt considering the current climate in the band. The weather became glorious end of day, sunshine - God's light.

Pete did an interview and I did a portrait at the end in Scott's room. A very productive day. Going home to ogle Koyuki in Maquia...

March 24

 

Atsuko sent me this, very nice - Maggie Q will have to wait, after all...

 

 

March 23

Wake up Sunday morning and I've turned the heating off by accident - and it's snowing.

Simon, my agent, calls at 8.30am, just back from church. He asks how my bookshelves are. I've grown to love them I tell him. What a boring day, next year I'm off to Manila to watch people being crucified - they do package tours. I read it in the Independent...

March 22

Easter Saturday and one minute it's snowing then it's bright sunshine. One fact is it's FREEEEEEEEEEZING.

Watched Dragon Heat. I have now fallen in love with Maggie Q - goodbye Koyuki. Maggie's an Asian supermodel, should be easy to get a date. If anyone can help, please let me know.

Got quite a lot on this coming week and I think I'm going back to LA on Thursday. Cleaned my house only to hear that Peter Makowski's coming on Easter Monday to ruin it.

March 20

Grant MacPherson, chef and resident of Sandy Lane, Barbados, came over. He looked FRAGILE - he'd been trying to live a Kevin Shirley lifestyle at Zuma (Japanese fish restaurant) last night, drinking vodka and beer, washed down with bottles of expensive wine. He took me to dinner, so I picked the Fishclub in Clapham. Grant liked it, I think. His tan hand gone yellow and he couldn't really say much. At least THE CAVEMAN would have still been drinking and telling you "interesting" stories about Iron Maiden. THE CAVEMAN did say Iron Maiden's new photographer is called the "nice Ross Halfin"- sad how he doesn't have any idenity of his own, whoever the "nice Ross Halfin" is...

Nice Ross Halfin. Let me give you the Halfin Dictionary definition: Nice Ross Halfin = "will work for fuck all, won't use a tec internet assistant, will do what he's told at all times and crawl up the manager/artist's arse."

I'm very nice - as long as you're straight with me in the first place...

As Easter is coming strangely early and I've nothing to say really so here are some photos from Dubai last week. Velvet Revolver and Korn. VR are playing the UK at the moment - I might shoot them at Brixton. The bald guy is my friend Loc, someone you wouldn't want to mess with. The crane is the disco hanging at 300 feet. I went up while Machine Head played and it was terrifing. I was going to put a photo of Peter Makowski and David Coverdale here but my stupid assistant Kazuyo forgot to upload it and left early to go to the pub to celebrate Easter. I HATE EASTER! Always fucking boring and the weather here is shite.

 

Did watch a good film though, The Counterfeiters, I found it quite upsetting, and also Assembly, a Chinese take on the civil war of 1948.

 

March 16

Nice day and I'm feeling normal - ish.

Saw David Coverdale going to rehearsal at 8.45. He gets up earlier than me. David's off to New Zealand next week. He gave me a copy of his new cd - if you like Whitesnake you'll love it.

Went for a cycle to get myself going. Ran into Paul Mckenna at my hotel. Had an English breakfast with him, baked beans, eggs, bacon, ate sitting in the sun.

Off to pack and sit by the pool - flying home tonight.

March 15

Sunny day and I feel rotten. Took some anti sinus tablets and I feel like I've taken speed - lots of speed, feel agitated, on edge. Photographer Chris Walter drops off some prints of mine from years ago - Who, Metallica, Aerosmith, Chris Robinson. I was pleasantly surprised. I wasn't that bad a photographer when I was young, must put them on the site.

The weather goes from sunny to huge rain clouds hanging over Laurel Canyon. I try to shoot them - I do love clouds.

Karen drives me out to the valley for something to do. Find Freak Beat Records where I find a copy of It's A Beautiful Day with the girl with the cloud cover for next to nothing. I've been after this forever. As I get back David Coverdale comes by and I show it to him. He tells me Deep Purple's Child In Time is lifted from a track on this record called Bombay. Tell David I feel weird and speedy he insists on me going to Sushi Wa with him to mellow out and drink some tea - he's great company.

Still feel odd at 9pm - I'm off to Ago...

March 14

Did mundane things like see a doctor 'cos I'm sick with a chest infection - too much flying. Then went have my eyes checked. At the opticians they went into the hard sell of buying new glasses. 'These look sooooooo coooool on you, only $1,500.' I find it insulting the way everything in this country is about money-money-money. If you looked like a moron they'd say you look cool.

Phil Alexander left me a message saying 'Don't call and say you have a cell phone it's a fucking mobile!' - he is quite right.

Bought An Iliad by Alessandro Baricco in paperback to re-read, and also The Bad Girl by Mario Vargas Llosa.

David Coverdale invited me to dinner with his wife Cindy. I had a drink with them. Like Dave Grohl DC is a great host.

Went to Bo Runga's birthday dinner at Cobras And Matadors. Left them going clubbing. I need to go to bed.

March 13

As Peter and I experienced the joys of Asian cinema there is a tap on my door and in pops Lars, who demands we join him in the bar. He spends the early hours of this morning grilling Peter on Ritchie Blackmore and being full of joy at meeting Sir David Coverdale while eating dinner. Fuck me I even have him and Peter discuss the merits of that lost Purple classic, Stormbringer. I leave them to go to bed to watch Asian art house cinema.

I managed to get three hours sleep before waking up - wide awake on UK time.

It's funny, Lars is quite passionate about what he likes. He listened to my ipod - Thin Lizzy, Derby '75, and Anvil... he wanted to know what the film was like, was it a joke or sincere. Lars raved about hanging with Steve Harris at the LA Forum Maiden show, he was quite thrilled to talk to him. I always see Steve as a friend. We're all fans in a different way. And he and Pete were truly passionate about Deep Purple. I raved about the Megadeth show and Lars said Dave Mustaine is very clever. I even reminded him that the room I'm in was one I passed out in, and he put his testicles on my forehead and had his girlfriend take a picture - look, we were young!

Lars and I will proberly hang out again in another eleven years time (we didn't talk for that long). He even said that in front of Pete. I haven't seen Pete since the Led Zeppelin show and I hadn't noticed. The point being it's funny how you tend in later years to come full circle.

I'm drinking coffee to wake up then going for a run - and to listen to Anvil's Metal On Metal.

David Coverdale came over at 8am - so did Peter, fresh from Boys Town. We all sat down to coffee to wake up. Saw Gabriel Byrne and Lars, quite a full early morning. By 10am I felt worn out and I hadn't done anything. Well, I did take a quick photo of David and Pete, so that's work, kind of...

Saw Dave Grohl who was at the hotel doing interviews. Dave came to look at my room. 'This is the room I always had when I was in Nirvana.' He came on a huge motorbike 'Is it a Harley?' (it was the kind of thing Motley Crue would be riding along Sunset Strip, singing Girls, Girls, Girls). 'OF COURSE IT'S A FUCKING HARLEY!' shouted Dave. Got some photos of him on it looking demented.

Had a late lunch with David Coverdale and Peter. Then Peter left to fly home, with tears in his eyes. 'I'm going to miss the Hustler store.'

Set up in the hotel restaurant to do a photo shoot with Dave (backdrops and everything), even did a sunset set up on the hotel roof. Dave was a bit stiff at first until he had a couple of drinks, 'I haven't been drunk in months.' 'Erm... yes you have, you were drunk in San Diego.' He looks indignant. 'Drunk... well, buzzed,' as he knocks back a beer. 'Let's go to the bar and do some shots!' You always have a good time with Dave.

David Coverdale comes over to see me in the bar. 'Come on, I'm taking you to dinner.' He does and I have a great meal with him at Wa.

As we come back Dave is still in the bar having a good time getting, er, buzzed. I talk with him about playing in the round, 'Def Leppard started it In The Round And In Your Face'. He looks thrown. 'Def Leppard, fuck, well I'm going to ROCK!' and orders another shot. I leave and go out with Derek Hay, agent and film star. I end up at Kerry Simon's Restaurant and The Stone Rose Bar - full of drunk, leering old men. A party for fashion week is there for something called Junkers. Danielle Friedman is there, and Boh Runga, both being bothered by the old folks. The bar staff are so up their own arse it is unbelievable. Hated the bar, but Kerry Simon was nice - had a good chat with him.

Ended up in the Rainbow of all places. It is sad, and I'm sadder for going there - I REALLY need an early night..

Got this from Danielle Friedman - perfect really

DICTIONARY FOR WOMEN'S PERSONAL ADS
40-ish..............................49
Adventurous.....................Slept with all your friends
Athletic............................No boobs
Average looking...............Ugly
Beautiful..........................Pathological liar
Contagious Smile..............Does a lot of pills
Emotionally secure............On medication
Feminist...........................Fat
Free spirit........................Junkie
Friendship first..................Former slut
Fun..................................Annoying
Gentle..............................Dull
New Age...........................Body hair in the wrong places
Open-minded....................Desperate
Outgoing..........................Loud and embarrassing
Passionate........................Sloppy drunk
Poet.................................Depressive
Professional......................Bitch
Romantic..........................Frigid
Voluptuous.......................Very Fat
Large frame......................Hugely Fat
Wants Soul mate...............Stalker
Widow..............................Murderer

The perfect reason for an asian bride...

March 12

One of the real pleasures of travel is an empty flight, and mine was. Slept as usual until the Great Plains - woke up over Jackson Hole, the small town owned by Randle Feagin. I'm reading a book, Last Night I Dreamed Of Peace, a
story of Aerosmith on tour... really it's the sad diary of a young girl doctor, Dang Thuy Tram, found dead, shot through the head by the US Army in June 1970. One of the US soldiers kept her diary and many years later took it home to her family. Also reading The Great Wall by John Mann, something I'd love to see and photograph.

Noticed I'm now over The Bighorn Basin and Bighorn Canyon. I'd been reading a feature in Time Magazine on General Custer. Take some photos of Jackson Hole to show Steven Tyler how much money Randle's making from Aerosmith.

I was supposed to be shooting David Coverdale tomorrow but the magazine feels I don't have the artistic skill or temperament to deal with David. I must be too educated and posh for a singer from Redcar. So Peter Makowski is doing it as he's a Pole, and as Kazuyo points out, Poles are like Koreans, lower than dogs and uneducated...

I was disappointed, there's nothing more fun than hanging out with Sir David. Anyway, I'll have to settle for shooting Dave Grohl, who did at least go to school, so we can discuss Shelley or Keats.

Gave some thought to the travel pages on my website which I want to change. They'll be re-designed later this year.

I arrive at my hotel to find a happy Peter Makowski in love with the hotel receptionist, Rose. Peter is not so happy with Ute, the German record company PR for Sir David Coverdale. Ute is in my hotel acting like she's running the Third Reich. To save money she has booked Peter in the Ramada Inn Hotel in "Boys Town" (and I'm not joking), while she stays in my hotel with Sir David. I call the room Peter is interviewing Sir David in, 'Nein, you cannot talk with Peter while David is crying in ze rain.'

The doorman tells us Ute has taken Sir David to dinner at the new Nobu. Nice of them to invite us - that must be why she's saving money. Must make a change from sausage and bratwurst.

After beating my slave, Karen, she drives us to Amoeba for a look around. Peter is not impressed, 'Let's go to the Hustler Store for some real dvds.' We end the evening watching Asian art house classics like Asian Fever 34, Obscene Behavior 2 etc. Peter even makes me buy him a t-shirt.

In my room is a hand-written message from Lars Ulrich, my stalker, it reads "Hi Ross, Lars here, in your room! Glad U weren't wanking! Love Ya, L." How did he get in my room - he must have more clout here than me and Sir David put together...

March 11

Off back to Los Angeles tomorrow - I'm not looking forward to the flight. I know I always say that. I don't mind if it's empty it's when it's full I feel closed in. Peter Makowski headed to LA today to see the great David Coverdale. Nice to have him there - someone to abuse and visit Ameoba and the Hustler store with.

Spoke to Steven Tyler tonight, he's signing a print of him with Jimmy Page, Tony Iommi and Jeff Beck. He wanted to know if I'll sell it. 'Only after you're all dead then I'll buy myself a house...'

John Bionelli called, asked if I enjoyed the Rattlesnake Bar in Dubai (Randle Fagin's home from home). Told him the club at The Crown Plaza Hotel is far more fun, or The disco at the York Hotel. We might go back this summer.

Tried to watch Silk, with Keira Shiteley - she is awful. Only worth fast forwarding to ogle the Japanese prostitute in the lead.

Off to finish my ironing now...

As I've been listening to Pantera here's some from the past. I liked both Dimebag and Phil...

Some new magazines

 

March 10

If you go to Kevin THE CAVEMAN Shirley's site, THE CAVEMAN has had a little dig and is trying to get sympathy for his bad travel photos. So to help THE CAVEMAN let me tell him 'Your travel photos are not bad, they are rubbish'. THE CAVEMAN should stick to taking photos of his home in the 'Bu or Rod Smallwood or maybe Iron Maiden...

Finally got my bags back, 48 hours late. Been feeling jetlagged all day and there's only a four hour time difference. It might have helped if I wasn't living after midnight and went to bed.

March 9

I figure I'll sleep on the plane so after two hours sleep and breakfast with Matt and Duff at 6am I leave a foggy Dubai for the airport. Check in at Virgin - the flight is delayed due to fog until 12.30. At 12.30 the flight is cancelled. Pandemonium erupts, people screaming, arguing. They offer to fly us to Manchester or Glasgow and bus us down to London. What fun, a seven hour flight home followed by a five hour bus ride to Heathrow. Virgin can fuck right off. Or the other option is to stand by for the next two days on oversold Virgin flights. I end up buying a First Class ticket as it's the last seat on Emirates back to London. I won't say what it cost but it was painful to sit up the front and ponder about why I paid for this.

Take off at 3.30 (after arriving at the airport at 7am). Get some photos of the skyline as the plane banks - it looks unreal. Seven hours later the English Channel has huge black clouds over it as the sun sets. Land at Gatwick Airport at 7pm, no bags - what a joyous journey...

 

March 8

As I go off to destroy Dubai again Velvet Revolver arrive. Sit and chat to Slash who shows me the new cover of Guitar World. It's a composite of my photos of Joe Perry/Slash. It looks okay on his blackberry. Give up on my night of fun and go to bed.

Velvet Revolver are soundchecking, Scott and I go along. Spend lunchtime hearing them go through the hits with Matt Sorum singing. Go back to the festival with them early evening and do a shoot of Duff and Slash with the Dubai skyline in the background. It is okay apart from every fucker who wanders up and won't go away - "I don't want to bother you but I will".

Hang out with them, all yawning and looking jetlagged. Scott Weiland arrives five minutes before they go on. Get a quick shot of Scott showing the art of smoking as they walk on. I get nice photos, Velvet Revolver all look like rock stars.

I was going to do a bit of Muse until we are told you must sign a contract to shoot two songs. I pass and head back to the city for another night of pleasure and plunder.

March 7

At 2am Dave Clarke and his posse of British press and photographers arrive. 'Order us a drink,' says Dave. I stagger to the bar. 'Twenty two pints of lager please and two double rums and coke.' The women behind the bar and everyone along it look at me as if I'm mad. I repeat the order. They all arrive - Dave says 'Same again please.' No wonder foreigners hate the British. I go to bed at 3am and leave them to it.

The Dubai Desert Rock festival is next to a huge mall, bigger and better and faker than anything you would find in America. I like it a great deal and would happily stay there shopping, instead I go and see Machine Head starring Rob Flynn. Rob says 'Raise your fists in the air and headbang, motherfuckers,' followed by a guttural 'Uuuuurghhhhhhh!' at least fifteen times in the space of ten minutes. Rob's communication skills, bringing the west to the Arab world, are enlightening.

In the middle of the crowd is a platform hanging from a crane holding a disco with a DJ and cocktail bar. I go up with Dave Clarke and Scott Rowley, who is dancing in the disco, completely open at 300 feet above the crowd. You can see through the floor straight down into the flat concrete. I am terrified, pretending to shoot Machine Head from up there while re-discovering God, thinking 'please don't fall, I'll never blaspheme again' as Robb screams 'UUUUUURGGGGHHHH MOTHERFUCKERS' another twenty times. As the crane desends I find religion, at least until I've got off. Thank you God...

I go off and find Korn warming up - walk to the stage with them. Spend the first part of the show out front then shoot Korn right in the middle of the stage in front of the drum riser.They are loud deafingly loud.

March 6

Dubai. Arrive and, ummmm, lay by the pool. In my dreams I hear snoring that won't go away. I keep having this dream until I realise my dream is me snoring by the pool.

Am intent on having a quiet night until I run into Loc and Yens Gieger who both work for Korn. Go out and have a good time, so to speak. In fact I have a VERY good time...

Some more travel from the last couple of days.

 

 

 

 

March 5

See the dawn over London and get a quick picture of the city at 6am. Home for a bit and it's sunny and cold. Off to Dubai this evening where I think it's warm...

I spoke to Paul Stanley while in LA, he gave me a copy of the new five disc Kiss dvd. Paul also told me the Kiss set list for Europe. If you like them it's everything you'd want.

I was thinking about poor old Kevin THE CAVEMAN Shirley. He should get a pay as you go wife, cheaper in the long run. Or marry Rod Smallwood and live in Iron Maiden heaven...

March 4

Got to bed at 3am, up at 5am. I am tired. Off to LAX to fly home via San Francisco, the earliest flight to London. As I sit on the plane, Kevin THE CAVEMAN Shirley calls and tells me he's on his way to New York to mix the Journey record. 'It'll be like a holiday, I'm drinking myself into oblivion!' His wife has told him he can't produce Iron Maiden as it's the work of the devil - Kevin is lost as to what to do. I say goodbye to THE CAVEMAN and his world of woe...

San Francisco has a exotic feel flying out - I look at all the flights to Asia... Instead I fly home at noon. There's a good view of downtown as we take off, I take a couple of frames with my Leica. Really the wrong time of day, far too bright.

Phil Collen called just before I took off, we arrange to meet up in a week in LA. He'll be with The Manrazes.

March 3

Woke up to this email...

Hi ross,
im a big fan of all of your photos, and have always wondered. Do you have the greatest job in the world?
You get to meet amazing people all the time i would love to be able to do that when i am older, Especially Dave Grohl he is my idol
Keep up the stunning work!
Lewis, Nottingham, 14

Lewis, when you are my age you won't want to meet them - Dave Grohl is EVIL...

Come to think of it, I wrote Pete Townshend a letter when I was Lewis's age.

Off to San Diego. Take the train which I've never done before. Karen, my slave, drove with my cameras. The ride is quite scenic halfway - lots of ocean and surfers. It's a bit sad travelling on the train in America, the fading end of a bygone age. Santa Fe or San Diego station is lit in god's light at 5pm - I take a photo of the station sign.

 

The show is at the Cox Arena, somewhere I've never been, a bit like the Sports Arena only more compressed. See Dave Grohl, who is ill with a bad cold. Dave's cure for this seems to be to start drinking. We sit and chat and for some reason we start talking about drugs. Dave tells me he'd never done cocaine. I'm amazed. I tell him I've never smoked pot, only class A drugs (in my youth), he is equaliy amazed. Dave's two friends from childhood are here, Phil Merkle, a painter and photographer of naked women, and Jimmy, who Dave's known since he was four. Jimmy is quite effeminate, but comes and tells me he loves metal and I mean heavy metal. He puts a cd on at full volume and starts to play air guitar and headbang, ignoring everyone in the dressing room.

I shoot reportage for a couple of hours including a portrait of Dave and his two childhood sweethearts/boyfriends. A half hour before the Foos go on there are so many people in the dressing room you can hardly move. Nick Oliveri comes in. The last time I saw him was on the beach after getting arrested on stage at Rock In Rio. Dave is delighted 'Lets Get Drunk!' he announces to the room, pouring Crown Royal for everyone. You've got to hand it to Dave, he's a fine host. I leave Dave and Jimmy headbanging to Kraftwerk and go out front.

Good show for me. The stage was a lot lower than at the O2 show and I could wander around and do what I want - I had a good time. The crowd were tame compared to London. Missed the encores and headed back to LA with Karen
driving while I nodded off. Iwas so tired I couldn't sleep plus it didn't help that she was playing The Mars Volta - not exactly bedtime music...

March 2

A half-empty flight to Los Angeles. I read the Sunday papers all about our brave warrior, Prince Harry, what a PR coup and what crap. Sleep most of the way, wake up over Idaho and Hot Springs Peak - Columbia Plateau.

As it's a new month here's a bit of what I've been reading and watching and listening to...

Jake Arnott - He Kills Coppers. Going to read this, this week. I have all his books and have only read The Long Firm, which I loved.

Steppenwolf - Herman Hesse. Another book I've had for ever, always start then never finish.

Music

The Mars Volta
Eels - Blinking Lights
Sly Stone - It's a Family Affair
Megadeth - Train Of Consequences
The Who - Magic Bus Denver 1970 Long version
Led Zeppelin - Good Times Bad Times
AC/DC - Shot Down In Flames
Tesla - Hand Me Down World

Enjoyed the film Warlords. The female lead was beautiful in a plain way. Nanking - The Documentary. Something to cheer up any evening. I gave it to Kazuyo and told her to see what her Grandad got up to in Manchuria. 'Good,' she said 'The Chinese deserve it.'

Re-watched The Vertical Ray Of The Sun. A beautiful film, the colour, light, everything.

One of the sad things in LA is the closure of Tower and Virgin on Sunset. I went to the Vigin Megastore in Hollywood which was terrible, a poor selection of films with everything jammed together. Los Angeles is not what it used to be...

March 1

Have some serious flying to do in the next couple of weeks. Off to Los Angeles tomorrow, then San Diego Monday (Foo Fighters). Fly back Tuesday at dawn, home for a couple of hours on Wednesday then back to Heathrow to fly to Dubai for the Desert Rock Festival, and love-making. There's a large junket of English journalists flying as well. I made sure I'm on a different flight so I don't travel with the riff raff - I learnt this from William Nash, the Lord Lucan of travel (he's always travelling somewhere around the world - you can never find him). After Dubai I'm home for a day then back to LA for more Foo Fighters. Well, that's my travelling in theory, of course it can all change...

Got my post and to my delight Nick McKay has sent me a dvd - Nam Ki-Woong Presents Teenage Hooker Became A Killing Machine. Peter Makowski is already on the train on his way round to borrow this wonder of cinematography.

 

 

Classic Rock have done four different covers on their new issue including a rubbish Ozzy one - and two works of art by me...