Behind the Lens Interview with Rock Legend Henry Diltz: From Woodstock to Iconic Album Covers
Clearwater’s Ruth Eckerd Hall recently held a special private event for their members with iconic rock photographer Henry Diltz, titled “Behind the Lens.” His photos document rock music history of the ’60s and ’70s. He was the official Woodstock photographer, responsible for the iconic images of Jimi Hendrix playing the Star-Spangled Banner to the crowd early Monday morning. His album covers are as famous as the records themselves. Henry was in the right place at the right time — and considers himself an accidental photographer.
A musician himself, he lived in Laurel Canyon and was friends with all the musicians he photographed — most of them not yet famous. Suncoast Post photographer Vicky Sullivan sat down with Henry at a small table in the intimate Murray Theater to talk about his extraordinary career. It was the second time Vicky has had the privilege of interviewing Diltz — their first “Behind the Lens” conversation, which also featured photographer Pattie Boyd, is a must-read for any rock history fan.
On How It All Started
SP: Henry, were you into photography when you got that first camera?
HD: No, not at all. My band “Modern Folk Quartet” was gigging in Michigan and as we were leaving town, we stopped in a thrift store. There was a table with a bunch of cameras on it for like $20 bucks and my bandmate picked one up, so I followed suit and bought one too! We just started goofing around and taking pictures of pretty much anything and everything.
Favorite Album Covers and Legendary Stories
SP: Henry, what is your favorite album cover that you have done?
HD: That is a tough question to answer. The Crosby, Stills & Nash cover was not supposed to happen the way it did — they were in the wrong order in the photo. We went back a couple of days later to reshoot it and put them in the right order on the couch, and the whole house was torn down. Gone! So they used the original photo. Morrison Hotel with The Doors is probably my most popular cover, but I would have to say the cover of Sweet Baby James by James Taylor is close to my heart. Explore Henry’s full photography collection on his website.
SP: My favorite cover of yours — that I had no idea who you were then (both laughed) — was when I was turned on to Dan Fogelberg at 15. The cover of Souvenirs was beautiful.
HD: Dan was a wonderful human being. We had a lot of great times together. I am attending the Celebration for Dan Fogelberg on the weekend of April 17th, being put on in Peoria, IL — where Dan was born and raised. It is the 50th anniversary of Souvenirs. Find details about the Dan Fogelberg 50th anniversary celebration.
John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and the Life Magazine Surprise
SP: Henry, is there someone you never photographed that you wish you had?
HD: That would be John Lennon. I have photographed Paul and Ringo many times, and George at the Concert for Bangladesh at the Garden in ’71. But I never got the opportunity for John.
SP: Henry, tell me about the photo shoot with Paul and Linda.
HD: Well, I knew Linda Eastman because we were both photographers and had met. We had lunched a few times, then one day I picked up the paper and read that she married Paul. I was like, “Good for her.” She called me one day — they were in Malibu — and asked if I could come take some pics of them. She said they needed them in a hurry. So I drove over there and took photos. It was a fun shoot, and we even took an early selfie — unheard of back then! (laughs) There was a whole thing of having to get them off to NYC in a hurry. I had no idea it was going to be for Life Magazine. It was quite a surprise to have my photo on the cover.
David Cassidy, the Eagles Sphere, and Life Behind the Camera
SP: Of course, I must ask you about David Cassidy, as a young kid who idolized him. (laughs)
HD: I traveled the world with David during those crazy days of his being on the Partridge Family and touring. We went everywhere. He was a great friend. I kept in touch with him over the years, not as much when he moved to Florida. I will never forget those times with him! In fact, I am working on a book about David with my photos, collaborating with author Johnny Ray Miller who wrote When We’re Singin’, The Partridge Family and Their Music.
SP: Have you been to the Sphere to see the Eagles? (Henry shot the 1975 Eagles Desperado album cover.) I went last year and it was amazing — you must go!
HD: Timothy B. Schmidt, who is a good friend, has invited me to shows there several times, and then I get busy and haven’t made it over yet. Okay, I am definitely going to go soon! (laughs)
SP: What kind of camera do you use these days?
HD: I have been using Nikon cameras and lenses for many years and now I also have a point-and-shoot I carry around. My cell phone is good too. One day years ago someone put a Canon autofocus lens in my hands and I was blown away. I love to shoot just about anything — animals, things I see on the road. Fire hydrants! Did you know different cities have different colored fire hydrants? I love to catch different-colored ones from my travels.
On the Business of Concert Photography Today
SP: Do you still shoot concerts these days?
HD: The business has changed so much about shooting shows. Nowadays, you get three songs and then you have to put the camera away. Back in the day, you had the whole show. It was a different world. We were all friends — the bands, the photographers, the crew. Now it’s much more controlled and corporate. But the music is still the music, and that never changes.
Henry Diltz’s work spans over six decades of rock and roll history. His photographs have graced the covers of records that defined a generation, and his stories — like those he shared in that intimate Murray Theater conversation — remind us why the Woodstock generation’s musical legacy continues to resonate more than 50 years later.
Vicky Sullivan Photos for The Suncoast Post. Jimi Hendrix & Dan Fogelberg photos from Henry Diltz.