With drive, determination, and a solid work ethic, Sue was a regular in the photo pit. The only woman shooting on a regular basis, she recalls incidents of fans body slamming, beer drenching, sod throwing, the occasional undergarment flying overhead and catching guitar picks - just a normal day in the pit.
Her talent sought out by industry insiders and artists alike, Sue also photographed backstage meet & greets for most of the bands on tour, their promotional appearances, charity benefits, industry parties, and award ceremonies.
Through the ’80’s and ’90’s Sue’s photos were regularly featured in the Detroit Free Press and also appeared in magazines such as Musician, Rolling Stone, Creem, Guitar World, Parade, People, Playboy, music industry publications including Billboard, and also local papers into the 2000’s.
Bob Seger
The best music scene ever was catching a Bob Seger show at a high school or small club even without a camera!
By the ’80’s photographing from the pit, I felt a genuine sense of pride for our hard working hometown band made good. Countless concerts later….. additional assignments include Capitol Records award ceremonies, parties, and photographing what seemed like the entire population of Michigan at many of Bob’s meet & greets.
Chicago
Photographed many shows at Pine Knob and was hired to shoot their 1989 Japan tour book at PK and in Nashville.
This band just blew me away from the very start in the 70’s and beside Seger they were a big influence on why I got into concert photography. There was never a dull moment shooting this band. Their remarkable talent and sound is above and beyond and is just as exciting to photograph them now as it was early on.
Paul McCartney
Opening night show and press conference 1989 in Chicago.
Photographers and journalists came in from the ends of the earth. The photo pit was very crowded but I stood my ground. With minimal light and only a few minutes to shoot, I got what I could. The result: the Free Press ran my ‘Paul’ shot as a Front page/Full page in the Sunday edition for a preview to the upcoming Palace concert. At the press conference Paul saw the paper and asked if it was mine, complimented it, autographed it, and posed for a photo in front of me with Linda on his shoulder. Ahhh.
J Geils Band
1999, sold out shows at PK.
It was so crowded there wasn’t even a photo pit. Pressed to the stage I shot what I could. Putting my camera away and trying to make it to my seat was impossible. There I was in the crowd rockin’ out. Next thing I knew Peter Wolf was pulling me up on stage to dance to the song ‘So Sharp’! Well, that’s a first! Two weeks later at their final PK show Peter pulled me up again - this time with a few other girls dancing to ‘Centerfold’ during the encore! Nothin’ but a house party! OOOh yeah! Some of my fave photos are of this awesome band.
Prince
A private photo session before his show at the Fox Theatre 1993.
Supposedly a photo shoot with Prince’s band only, I arrived early and while loading my camera a voice blasted over a mic asked “are you readyyy?” Yes. It’s Prince - alone! From statues in the wall to straddling banisters, the photo op’s were endless. The photos were one of a kind exceptional, forever in my mind as all the film was handed over to Prince’s manager.
So worth it.