Star Treatment

Look, Ma. It's us, the Eyewitness Blues Band!

It's undoubtedly the best photo we've ever had taken, but that might be because it was taken by legendary San Francisco rock photographer Pat Johnson.

The shoot was arranged by Gibson Guitars, which works with Johnson to cozy up to Bay Area musicians. Those would be shiny new Gibsons we're holding in the photo (and trust me, that ES-359 I'm clutching is one sexy little number).

Working with a guy like Pat Johnson is a reminder of one of my favorite truisms: success is equal parts inspiration and perspiration. Johnson's been on the scene for years but never mails it in.

I asked him about some photos of Mick Jagger he shot at a 1975 Rolling Stones show at the Cow Palace. I was at the same show with my camera (back when any schlump with an SLR could tote it into the arena and snap away) and have some similar shots. I rememebr elbowing my way to the front (perhaps employing the cover of my female date) to grab a few frames before retreating.

Johnson had a better M.O.: he hired a burly biker-dude to ferry him toward the stage. Whenevr things got tense, Johnson would hand the offended concert-goer a business card, and promise an 8 x 10 print.

Got him all the way to the front of the stage, whereupon he used his big buddy as a stepladder. Got up high, fired off 2 rolls of film in a hurry, and beat a retreat.

That's how a pro gets it done.