Why I Love Ottawa Photo Contest!

            

If you enjoy walking around snapping pictures at anything that moves, or doesn't move, this contest is for you!  Harry Nowell Photography is partnering with the Ottawa Food Bank to present the 'Why I Love Ottawa' Photo Contest.  Join local personalities like Mayor Watson, CTV's Graham Richardson, Majic 100's Stuntman Stu, Peter Simpson from the Ottawa Citizen, Sarah Brown of Ottawa Magazine and more-  to capture your best image of the nation's capital, and help the Ottawa Food Bank at the same time.  Find out how you can participate, and have your photo displayed professionally with Patrick Gordon Framing!  Details here: 
http://www.harrynowell.com/blog/2013/01/08/893-ottawa-celebrity-and-media-photo-contest/

Singles Day in Ottawa?

Have you ever heard of 'Singles Day'?  In China, 'Singles Day' has become the biggest on-line shopping day of the year.  College students created it back in the 90's, as the 'single' equivalent to Valentine's Day.  The idea is that, on 'Singles Day', you get your single friends a gift, just to let them know you are thinking about them.  The day is celebrated on Nov 11th (the 11/11 representing 4 singles).  (Obviously if we created a 'singles' day here in Canada, it would not be on the same day that we honour our military heroes.)  If this day became something we recognized in Ottawa (I say we have it on Feb 13th each year), it would probably bring out the naysayers...hrumph!  I can hear them now.."Just what we need!  Another reason to have to go out and buy stuff!"  But it doesn't have to be an expensive gift, maybe just a card or a scarf or a miniature lava lamp.  Besides, doesn't 'buying stuff' keep our economy churning happily?  And for all the single people out there who dread the thought of another Valentine's Day, this day is for you!  What do you think?  At the very least, it could be a lively debate at the dinner table. It all has to start somewhere. Talk about it if you're single, talk about it if you're married.   And, hey- if this debate leads to divorce, you'll always have some fun to look forward to every February 13th! 

Bruce Springsteen, a Hot Tub, and Me

It was a hot summer day, July 26th 1984 when I drove down highway 401 for the Bruce Springsteen concert at the CNE in Toronto. After seeing the Boss deliver a marathon show in January 1981 at the Ottawa Civic Centre, I was hooked.  

'Born in the USA' was a mammoth album that just kept delivering hit after hit. Songs like 'Dancing in the Dark', 'Glory Days', 'No Surrender', 'Darlington County', and the title track 'Born in the USA'.

In those days, I wrote radio commercials for CFRA/CFMO (now BOB FM) and I was lucky enough to have my own office. An office that had a tiny cassette player with surprisingly loud volume- which I put to maximum use for hours on end...playing nothing but Bruce Springsteen music. It's a wonder that none of my co-workers punched a hole through the wall.  

Since my first Bruce concert, I was determined to own every album he ever made, going right back to 1973 with 'Greetings from Asbury Park' and 'The Wild, the Innocent, and the E Street Shuffle'. 'Born to Run', 'Darkness on the Edge of Town', even the stark and haunting 'Nebraska'. I knew all the words to all the songs.

Certain albums can freeze time. And no matter how many years go by, the minute you hear that album, you are transported back to that period of your life. In the summer of 1984, Songs from 'Born in the USA' blasted from car radios at red lights. You could hear the Boss everywhere, at a party, at the beach, the unmistakable voice singing 'I'm on Fire', volume reaching across Vincent Massey Park from a boom box that required 8 'D' cell batteries. That summer, I was the assistant-music-selector for Ottawa Rough Rider football games, which would explain the likelihood of hearing 'No Surrender’ or ‘Born to Run’ whenever there was a stoppage in play. 

I spent most of the summer of ’84 hanging out with two guys:  Jeff Cohen (now the owner of the legendary Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto), and Barry Caplan (now an Ottawa real estate agent).  We had one thing in common:  the ability to talk about Bruce Springsteen for hours and hours.  Jeff even started dressing like ‘Born in the USA’ Bruce Springsteen, right down to the bandana tied around his head.   I tried that look too, but I could never get the bandana tight enough and it would slide down and cover my eyes.  This happened once while I was driving my Pontiac Acadian and I nearly rear-ended a moving truck.  Barry and I agreed that Jeff could have the Bruce look all for himself. 

Not only did Jeff have the look, he had all the connections.  And it was through Jeff that I learned a couple of things on July 26^th, 1984.    Number one:  Bruce Springsteen enjoys a hearty swim at his hotel on the day of a performance.  And number two: In Toronto, that hotel was the Harbour Castle.

It was early afternoon when I arrived in Toronto, almost six hours before I was meeting a friend at the CNE to see Bruce Springsteen.  I had left Ottawa ridiculously early because I had visions of highway 401 construction containing me and my Acadian for an entire day and I would miss the show. 

I thought about killing time by going straight to the CNE, eating some pogos and standing in line for the Twister ride, but then I had a better idea:  I decided to try to get Bruce Springsteen’s autograph. 

The concierge at the Harbour Castle Hotel didn’t flinch when I marched right up and asked, ‘Hi, where’s your swimming pool?” 

I grabbed an elevator, and up I went.  I arrived at the indoor pool area, where three kids were having a great time splashing about.  Besides the kids and a hotel towel guy, there was no one else, which neither surprised nor disappointed me, as I had little faith that my hotel side trip would actually lead to anything interesting.  I started to walk away from the pool area when a strange sound made me turn around.  In hindsight my about-face was likely due to a rather loud ‘gasp’ from the towel guy.  Which was quickly followed by a gasp of my own. 

Bruce Springsteen had just slipped through a back door and entered the hotel pool area.   He was wearing a navy t-shirt, camouflage pants, and a baseball cap, all of which were being peeled off and  tossed onto a patio chair.  Now clad only in his regular-guy swim trunks, the Boss dove into the swimming pool and swam right by me.  I froze.  I knew that getting Bruce’s autograph would be tough, considering the fact that he was now wet. 

The kids had climbed out of the pool and disappeared, even the towel guy was nowhere in sight.  That left just two people in the pool area.  Bruce Springsteen.  And me.  I did my best to blend in, sitting casually in a patio chair next to the nearby hot tub, stealing only the occasional glance at the Boss, who, as it turned out, was a Spitz-like super swimmer.  Ten laps of the pool. Twelve.  Fifteen.   I kept my head down and waited for that amazing moment, when Bruce Springsteen would be dry enough to sign an autograph.  Bruce finally climbed out of the pool, toweled himself off, and just as I summoned the courage to ask for his signature, he walked straight past me and went into the hot tub.  Yet again, the Boss was wet. 

‘Its really nice in here’.  I heard the words but didn’t think they were being directed at me.  ‘Yes, I’m talking to you’.  A gruff but friendly voice from the hot tub.  ‘Why don’t you come on in..’

The fact that I was wearing street clothes was a minor detail.  I wanted more than anything to be super cool, to say the right thing, even be a bit ‘aloof’.  “I guess I could come in for a minute or two’.  So, in the hot tub I went, shorts, t-shirt, sandals.  Bruce was kind enough to ignore the fact that both of my sandals quickly floated to the surface of the hot tub and one of them was sucked onto a filter.

I couldn’t bring myself to admit why I was in the pool area in the first place:  for the slight possibility that HE would be there.  I was nervous but I couldn’t look nervous because that would give away the fact that I knew who he was, which I did, but I didn’t want him to know that I knew who he was, and that made me even more nervous.  I had abandoned any hope for an autograph, because that would give everything away.   Bruce Springsteen was my rock and roll hero, he was in amazing shape,  he was sitting across from me in a hot tub.  

Then, a funny thing happened.  We had a lovely conversation.  We talked about things that anyone would talk about… weather, movies, the Toronto Blue Jays.  Why it’s a good idea to swim every day.  Which carnival ride is the scariest.  Bruce was engaging, he was funny, he made me laugh.  The time flew by and about an hour later Bruce finally said ‘I gotta go…. it’s sound check time’.  I responded with, ‘I know…. I have tickets to your show tonight’.   He looked a bit surprised.  But nothing prepared me for what he said next.  “Would you like to join me for sound check’? 

I often wonder how many people in my shoes (or, water-logged sandals) would have jumped at the chance to join Bruce Springsteen for a pre-show sound check.  Probably all of them.  But, in that Toronto hotel hot tub, I turned down the invitation from the Boss.  I felt it was more important that I earned his respect.  I didn’t want him to think I was a ‘groupie’.   Do I regret my decision?  Sometimes.   But at least I had my pride.  As much pride as someone can have while trying to pull her sandal out of a hot tub filter.  

Moments before Bruce Springsteen disappeared through the back door, I took advantage of the fact that he was finally dry, and asked for an autograph.  

Oct 19^th at Scotiabank Place will be my thirty-first Springsteen show.  But I will never forget one show in particular, where it was impossible to wipe the smile off my face, after a sweet afternoon with the Boss.  Just don’t call me a groupie.

John Rowlands: Rock and Roll Photographer

'The Archer', David Bowie

 

I first met John Rowlands in 2011 at ‘Ringside For Youth’, a fundraiser for the Ottawa Boys and Girls Club.

The movie ‘Almost Famous’,  about a teenage journalist hired by Rolling Stone Magazine, could have been written about John Rowlands...with only one exception.  John Rowlands is a photographer.   And a gifted one at that....cutting his teeth in the world of rock ‘n roll photography at the age of 13.

The date was September 26^th, 1960.   Barely a teenager, John saved money from his morning paper route to buy a ticket to the Brenda Lee show on Argyle Street in Ottawa.  Armed with his Dad’s camera, a roll of Kodak film and 12 large flash bulbs, John made his way to the lip of the stage and exhausted all 12 shots, capturing his rock ‘n roll sweetheart then finding the courage to knock on her dressing room door after the show.  Brenda Lee gave John her autograph and her address...which would change his life forever.  John sent Brenda all 12 shots, and a few weeks later a cheque for $35.00 arrived in the mail.  A career in music photography was born.

Word travelled fast , and soon John Rowlands was photographing Sam Cooke, the Ventures, Duane Eddy and others.  Still armed with his Dad’s camera, and still attending high school (at least ‘trying’ to), John quickly realized the benefits of shooting Ottawa concerts:  access to popular artists, cash for a job well done, and the added bonus:  attention from the girls in school. 

 

In late 1962, the Rowlands family moved to Toronto.  John and his best friend Phil MacDonald created their own company, ‘Row-Mac Productions’, while still in 10^th grade.  The boys convinced Capital Records to hire them to photograph Gerry and the Pacemakers.  Their work was so impressive,  a dream gig followed:  they would photograph the Rolling Stones Canadian tour.  In 1965, John and Phil toured with the Stones, travelled in the Stones’ rented cars, and ate pizza with the band.  The Stones played the YMCA Auditorium on Argyle Street on April 24^th, 1965.  Ottawa had two street gangs in those days:  the Yohawks and the Squirrels.  The Yohawks wore sneakers, paisley shirts and chinos.  The Squirrels strutted the streets in jean jackets and jet boots, with handfuls of grease in their hair.  Skirmishes between the two groups were legendary, and they took their on-going battles all the way to the Rolling Stones show on that cool spring night.  A band of police officers was dispatched to form a line in front of the stage, to ensure that the Yohawks and the Squirrels didn’t poke each other’s eyes out while Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and the boys rocked out.  There were only two people allowed between the stage and wall of police:  two teenage photographers, John Rowlands and Phil MacDonald. 

By the end of 11^th grade, John and Phil had quietly made $11,000.  And raised an eyebrow or two when they arrived at the prom in rented limousines. 

Also in 1965, at the tender age of 18, John was hired by Capital Records to photograph the Beatles.  The shows were only 35 minutes long and if you really wanted to hear the singing voices of John Lennon and and Paul McCartney over the thousands of screaming girls, you would go down the venue hallway and ensure that there were at least 2 cement walls between you and the performance.  If you did this, maybe, just maybe, you could make out which song they were playing.   It was backstage at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto where John was invited to dine with the band.  George Harrison befriended John Rowlands that night, a friendship that would last for years.  John went on to work with the Beatles again in 1966, and was hired to photograph George Harrison in ’74, Paul McCartney and Wings in ’75 and Ringo and his All Starr Band in 1992.  When John Lennon and Yoko Ono began their ‘Give Peace a Chance’ campaign in 1969, John Rowlands and his camera gear were on the scene. 

In the late 70’s, CBS records hired John to photograph Bruce Springsteen.  There was only one small problem.  The Boss was dating photographer Lynn Goldsmith.  CBS didn’t like Goldsmith’s photos of Bruce, but didn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings, so John Rowlands had to photograph Springsteen concerts without being spotted by Lynn Goldsmith.  So, John gave front row tickets to three concert-goers before each show.  But there was a catch.  Seated on either side, their job was to ‘hide’ John and his camera as he snapped away.  The results were astounding:  sweat-soaked Bruce Springsteen in his prime, his legendary marathon performances captured on film forever. 

Not everyone likes to be photographed.  John would have a big challenge in Neil Young, who would ensure that the stage lighting was predominantly reds and purples:  colors that the camera didn’t translate very well, leaving several photographers grumbling after a  show. 

When Olivia Newton John played a 70’s era show at the Ottawa Exhibition, John was hired to shoot the popular singer.  He was given all access, front centre, even a ladder was placed in front of the stage for his use.  Other photographers were not so lucky, being ushered into a small area to the left of the stage.  Olivia Newton John then proceeded to give her entire performance from the far right of the stage.  John Rowlands was the only photographer who went home happy. 

John Rowlands has photographed Elvis (almost 50 shows), Led Zeppelin, the Jackson 5, the Bee Gees, the Who, Alice Cooper, the list goes on and on.  His work has appeared in countless magazines, and books, and his images grace over 130 album covers.

When I asked John if there is one image that he is most proud of, he answered without hesitation, ‘the Archer’.

A stark, beautiful, and haunting photograph of David Bowie, one arm out-stretched, holding an invisible bow, the other pulled back to grasp an imaginary arrow.  John had photographed David Bowie several times, and knew Bowie’s nuances and tricks.  During a performance, when Bowie made ‘the archer’ pose,  the crowd would applaud wildly.  When the time was right, Bowie would drop his arms:  his signal for the sound guy  to lower the volume and fade to black. 

David Bowie himself has said that ‘the Archer’ is his favourite portrait. 

There is a restaurant in Palm Springs, California that became one of John’s favorite spots.  Whenever John entered the establishment, the owner would shout, ‘Hey! Its ‘Almost Famous’!

From those days in Ottawa as a precocious 13 year old armed with his Dad’s camera, John Rowlands has earned his place among the most respected music photographers of all time.

He now lives in Gatineau, having re-kindled a relationship with his high school sweetheart Monique.  It was an incredible thrill when John strapped on his trusty Nikon and photographed my husband’s band, ‘The Bushpilots’ this past July at Ottawa Bluesfest. 

The master is home!

Don’t miss an opportunity to see some of John Rowlands’ work.  In conjunction with ‘A Taste of Wellington’, there will be a Rowlands photography exhibit at the Elmdale Tavern, 1084 Wellington Street, this Saturday from 11:30 to 5:30.  Photos will be available for purchase. 

Here are more samples of John's work:

 

                                                                The Beatles

Mick Jagger

 

The Rolling Stones

                                                

Elvis

Bob Dylan

Paul McCartney

The Ramones

Rod Stewart

Pete Townshend

Roger Daltrey

The Who

Bob Marley

The Bushpilots, Ottawa Bluesfest

 

Its back!!  The Ottawa Humane Society Wiggle Waggle Walkathon takes place this Sunday in a brand new location, beautiful Bruce Pit!  A leisurely 2 ot 3.5 kilometre walk with your dog(s) raises much-needed funds for Ottawa's animals.  Maybe you'll even win the dog/owner look-a-like contest!  This is one of my favourite events of the year!  And it's not too late to register!  All details here:  www.ottawahumane.ca

Overly Keen Tree

this is a maple tree,
and today is August 21st.  The maple tree is turning orange and yellow.  This is not late September, or anywhere close to Hallowe'en.  It's still August, and there are still 10 days left in August. Luckily this tree is not on my lawn, so I don't have to see it gleefully morphing into an autumnal cheerleader from my kitchen window.  It is down the street, but I do have to pass it at least twice a day.  Once to go to work and once to get home.  This is the tree equivalent of the kid in class who handed their homework in 3 days before the deadline.  I was never that kid.  The keener.  There's nothing wrong with being a keener, but if you're a maple tree turning color on August 21st, I feel that I have the right to vent about you.  Just saying.  You may still have time to change back to green, I'm not sure how that whole photosynthesis thing works.  In grade 7 I didn't get the assignment handed in on time. 

Happy Canada Day!!

Each year, the RCMP presents 'Sunset Ceremonies' nightly leading up to Canada Day. There was a special performance by the Canadian Forces Parachute team, 'the Skyhawks', followed by the Musical Ride. There was no way I could feel more 'Canadian'. Unless I had a hockey stick in one hand and a Molson in the other! It was a great night and a fitting tribute to Canada's military. Happy Canada Day!