Published in the Sept. 3-16, 2014 issue of Morgan Hill Life
By Mark Fenichel
In my many years of working in radio, playing music and working as a freelance photographer I’ve had some amazing encounters with some very interesting people. My assignment that day was as house photographer of The Metro Fountain Blues Festival at San Jose State. The headliner was Grammy-award winner, Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame superstar Bo Diddley.
I arrived early with about 15 rolls of fresh film, two Nikon cameras, extra lenses and way too much gear. A few minutes after getting into the venue I saw my friend head security guard sitting on a bench. I went over to say hi and check over my gear. Suddenly, Bo Diddley appears and sits with us! After brief introductions, Bo turns to me and says in his usual stutter, “Uh wwhat would it take for you to sh-shoot a roll and just give it to me? I don’t mean send me pictures just give me the r-roll!” Now most would be honored to just do it but I thought for a quick moment and decided my photos are worth at least something and I did pay about five bucks for the film so I blurted out… “Ten bucks.” He shook my hand and said “Don’t worry, I will make it worth your while.” We talked a little more and I got a photo or two with him. Then he said he had to go and he disappeared backstage.
About noon the festival began and I did my thing as photographer. At one point later in the day I was hanging around behind the stage in between acts when I noticed the door to Bo Diddley’s trailer suddenly swing open and Bo steps out, looks around, sees me, and with his index finger points at me to come over. Well, that is when I found out what he meant by “make it worth my while.” He brought me into his trailer and we hung out for a good 45 minutes chatting about music and people and shows. He signed everything I put in front of him. We took a bunch of photos together, laughed together.
I left the trailer as it was soon time for Bo and his band to take the stage. I took my spot to get a shot of him approaching the stage and as he walked by he noticed me and winked. It was like we had some kind of a secret between us. I shot a lot of film during his set and made sure to keep one of the rolls aside to give him as promised. I made it a point to go by the stage after his encore and as he walked by I handed him the roll. He looked at me through dripping sweat and gave me a big smile and another wink of his eye.
About 10 minutes later there was a thick crowd around his trailer with people holding posters, old albums, photos and guitars to sign. Finally, the door swings opens and his security guy steps out, looks around like he is searching for someone and to my surprise he makes eye contact with me and motions for me to come over. He steps down to clear the crowd so I can walk through … grabs my arm and walks me into the trailer, closes the door behind us and there is Bo with his wallet in hand. He says, “I think I owe you something,” and pulls out a $10 bill and hands it over, shakes my hand and says, “Thank you.”
We lost Bo Diddley in 2008 but the memories and the photos will prove that I can truly say, “I do know Bo.”
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