Bob Marley was called the “still the biggest rock star” in Entertainment Weekly, February 2005.

I was contacted by James Wilson, who is writing a comprehensive book on Bob Marley. I am NOT a reggae fan, what can I say, but I can tolerate about 7 minutes of it. I need speed. But I saw Marley three times and shot Peter Tosh a few times. I stood on the side of the Anaheim Stadium stage and shot Peter Tosh when he opened for the Rolling Stones. To say that was a thrill -- to look out at 60,000 people when just a couple of summers previously I was in the audience, viewing through binoculars, still stuns me.

People wonder why I don't do more with my photos, but it's time-consuming and a lot of hard work to figure out where, when and who I shot cos I stupidly didn't document such elemental data, but I really work hard at this. If you spend time to read this, you'll see how writers, researchers and archivists piece together history.

I had a lot of fun writing James and we both learned a lot. It's always wonderful to share the history of my beloved birth city, LA. You can't trust a lot of what you read in the newspapers and books unless you talk to people who were actually there. And that's a big reason for this website. To set the story straight! More pieces of the puzzle . . .

Sit back and take a trip down memory lane, before I took photos. And how others are reminding me of the life that late I led. I truly have no idea of what is in my drawers. My Stones and Tosh shots, even my backstage Marley, are mouth watering, stunning, vivid, alive, classic, stand up to any taken by anyone else ever, anywhere, to say the least. I am, as usual, speechless. What the hell was wrong with me to turn my back on all that? I have so much I have to do!

---------
From: jameswilson@bobmarley.freeserve.co.uk, Sent: Monday, February 14, 2005 2:11 PM
Subject: Bob Marley Book Help

Dear Jenny,

I am writing a book on Bob Marley documenting his live concert tours from 1975 to 1980. I read with interest that you photographed Bob during this period. Do you remember the year of the concert, the venue, the opening act, the songs performed, your memories of Marley etc..

Any information or anecdotes you could share with me with, no matter how small or insignificant, would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance for your time.

Sincerely,
James Wilson

-----Original Message-----
From: Jenny Lens, Sent: Tuesday, February 15, 2005 12:28 PM
Subject: Bob Marley stories and pix

James,
Glad you found me cos I didn't even list Marley on my keywords or anything. I'm totally surprised you found me cos I forgot I had those photos til I pulled them just now!! But I remember these stories vividly:

I discovered Bob Marley in early 1976, after reading Patti Smith articles. I saw him at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium. Little Anthony and the Imperials opened for him, whom I normally found extremely boring. I went by myself and recognized a young Cindy Williams, before she became famous for “Laverne and Shirley.” I had just seen her in the delightful “Travels with My Aunt” and she was pleased I recognized her and loved both her performance and the movie. Someone shared some ganja, making even the opening act tolerable. Of course it was great to hear and see Marley, even though I sat towards the back. That was before I took photos, so that would be either spring or summer 1976.

Marley played at an outdoor show in Burbank. I ran past guards and took a whole roll of film of Marley and Peter Tosh with a new camera and the film never advanced. Breaks my heart to write that . . .

I sped down to San Diego on July 24, 1978 to see Marley, got one of my very rare speeding tickets, arrived late, somehow got backstage. I spent the evening in a hotel room with one of his drummers, who I could not understand due to his rather thick accent. He invited me to join them on the bus going to a show in Santa Barbara, but they wouldn't let me on.

I totally forgot I had shots of him -- they are backstage, July 1978. That's probably the time he played at Burbank. I have shots of Peter Tosh on stage at the Anaheim Stadium when Tosh opened for the Rolling Stones, and that was towards the end of July, 1978. I shot the Stones in Huston before my birthday, which is July 20. So I shot the Stones probably on July 18, then either Marley first or Tosh first, both in July, 1978.

Marley's dreads are hidden in a pink beret, a red t-shirt under a blue and white striped shirt, dark blue jeans and brown leather jacket. He's talking to people, smiling, signing autographs, looking very relaxed. Are you interested in photos? These have never been published. I could scan the best and post them. I need to know your deadline and budget, cos I have so many different requests. I am fulfilling inquiries based on budget for projects.

That's all I can say, but I mourn those lost photos. So sorry I can't be of more help. I was so shy in those days, too scared to speak much nor ask for photo passes in many cases.

Much success with your book. Is this your first book? Are you into punk? jenny

-----Original Message-----
From: Jenny Lens, Sent: Wednesday, February 16, 2005 12:36 PM
To: jameswilson@bobmarley.freeserve.co.uk
Subject: Marley at Burbank Starlite Ampitheatre

James,
I think the name of the Burbank venue was the Burbank Starlite Ampitheatre. It was a horrible failure, because Burbank is a very conservative community and not pro-rock, ganja nor young people. I recall recently reading about it on a Patti Smith email list. There was a thread about how they wouldn't let her perform or gave her a hard time. I totally forgot about that venue til I perused that thread, but don't ask me when that was. I read them and throw them out.

Archives for the babel- list (in monthly non-digest form) can be found at http://www.postmodern.com/~babel/ .

How did you find me? I always ask people that because it's good to know how my name is out, cos I want people to find me.

Much success with your book, jenny

-----Original Message-----
From: jameswilson@bobmarley.freeserve.co.uk, Sent: Wednesday, February 16, 2005 7:19 PM
Subject: Re: Marley at Burbank Starlite Ampitheatre

Hi Jenny,

Thanks so much for taking the time to respond and sharing with me your wonderful memories of the Marley concerts you attended. I had to wade through thousands of websites and search engines before I found you but so glad I did. I found you while doing a search for photographers active in the 70's.

I recently learned that the Santa Monica concert (May 27, 1976) was originally booked for the Shrine Auditorium but because of slow ticket sales the show was moved to the Civic Auditorium. The Santa Monica concert, along with the Roxy gig the night before, where George Harrison, Ringo Starr, John Lennon, Stevie Wonder and Bob Dylan, among others, showed up, were Marley's big break out concerts in America. In fact coincidently Robert Hilburn just shared with me the article he wrote in the LA Times two nights after the concert where he proclaimed, "Marley Has Arrived."

The Burbank concert (July 21, 1978) was equally as historical and can't believe the rotten luck over the photos, especially as this was the last time Bob and Peter ever shared the same stage. I can only imagine your disappointment surrounding the loss of these photos. The only photographer that I know of with photographs of Bob and Peter from this show is Chuck Krall though I suspect that there must be others. Was the Starlite Amphitheatre an indoor or outdoor theatre?

I believe the Tosh/Stones gigs in Anaheim took place on July 23 and 24. The Houston show was July 19 at the Sam Houston Coliseum. By the way, did you see Mick Jagger in the audience or backstage in Burbank? I have been told by a number of people that Mick showed up with Peter and it was he that encouraged Peter to join Bob onstage.

This is my first book though I have long been involved with the reggae magazine Distant Drums and was a consultant on Fikisha Cumbo's own book on Marley, Get Up Stand Up. I am still negotiating a contract with my publisher and so I don't have a budget in place right at this moment but needless to say I would be very interested in your photographs of Marley.

Thanks again for sharing your memories and passing along my details to other photographers. I look forward to hearing from you and working something out with the photographs.
One Heart, James

-----Original Message-----
From: Jenny Lens, Sent: Wednesday, February 16, 2005 8:32 PM
Subject: more Marley feedback and details

James,
I admire and appreciate your perseverance. I don't meet many working on books, CDs, mags or docs who work so hard to find me, even when recommended by people with great reputations in the field who insist they must talk to me, they don't even bother to lift the phone and call information or do a web search. As I tell people, there's a reason I still live in LA. I'm not that hard to find if you know my name, but you didn't even start with that because people don't associate me with Rasta pix.

What a true joy to read your email. Usually everyone, and I mean everyone, asks me for details. To read of my past was so wonderful, beyond words. Thank you for providing dates, that really means a lot to me!! It was no problem "taking the time" to write to you. I had no idea you'd respond with such wonderful details.

Hey, when I post the Marley shots, let me link to your website or your email or whatever you want to help with research or promoting your book. And I'd like to post some of our details, dates, recollections to build excitement and interest in your book. Let me know. That's what the website is about!

The Roxy show with Marley was more than likely mostly industry. It's a very small venue, and I'm sure the press and record and radio industry insiders and friends of the stars can fill the place in minutes. I wonder if any tickets were available to the public and if so, you had to get them ASAP! Cos if I had known about or able to get tickets to the Roxy show, believe me I would have been there! I bet I found out too late! That's the advantage of living in West Hollywood with my ear to the ground. I went to shows no one did.

I remember when Springsteen played at the Roxy maybe in 77 or 78 or so, no way could I get in, even with my industry contacts. I was too much of a small fry, focusing on punk and not kissing ass to the record company or press people. I remember trying to get into that show. I bet the same thing with Marley. Even though he was new to USA, he was known by enough people in LA to fill up the Roxy. Same thing when Patti Smith played the previous January or Ramones the following August. Their tickets didn't sell out in minutes, but they filled the joint.

Secondly, I read and vividly remember many stories about the controversy about the Marley show being moved from the Shrine to Santa Monica Civic. I almost mentioned it to you and you really did your research to dig up that fact, but it had to do with laws. Shrine is in LA County and City, but Santa Monica Civic is LA County, but City of Santa Monica. That may be complicated to you. LA county is very big, with several cities incorporated within it. Orange County has same situation, in fact, the city of Orange is really small, whereas the City of LA very big, City of Santa Monica very small.

Santa Monica, in the '70's was a liberal and bohemian artists community, when living here was cheap as well. At that time, the Shrine was well known for busting performers and audience members for smoking ganja. I was young enough to be part of the hippie era, and was very familiar with those stories. No way would anyone in their right mind light up at the Shrine! Those were the days of Police Chief Darryl Gates, I believe, and what a conservative prick. It was Gates (or whoever was the police chief, we've had a few since then) who led the march against Marley. He made it his personal mission to drive Marley out of LA - no way was anyone going to be on stage in LA who promoted the evil and illegal weed.

If I had seen Jagger backstage with Tosh and Marley, believe me I would remember that! Cos I know Jagger was a HUGE fan, obviously, putting Tosh as an opening act at Anaheim, which was not very popular. But Jagger was used to that -- when Ike and Tina Turner opened years earlier or Prince later, the Stones' audience reaction was not good, but it never stopped Jagger. Thank goodness!

Starlite [Starlight?? Not sure] Amphitheatre [Amphitheater?] was outdoors. I assume all amphitheatres in USA are outdoors, taken from Rome, like coliseums. Whereas auditoriums are indoors. The Shrine Auditorium is indoors and don't know if the Shriners were still running it, but they are a very conservative rich white man's group and I'm sure they objected to Mr. Rasta man and his ganja. Slow ticket sales is the "official" story, but not the one us hippies and rockers heard or read. I know the history of the Shrine and LA rock at that time and the Marley show in particular. There were articles in LA Times, long-gone Herald Examiner and the dearly departed radical LA Free Press, called the Freep. If anything, the news articles and controversy helped ticket sales! That's how I learned most of my news til I moved to Hollywood later in 1976 and got news from the streets. People always wonder how I know so much, but in addition to my terrific memory (compared to others) I read the news all the time and still do, to keep in touch with what's going on, but it was much easier in those days cos not so much rock news as now, where it's everywhere.

Are you in touch with Chuck Krall? He's rather hard-headed about licensing photos for minimal money, from what he's told me. He likes to see the green, but hope he can work with you. He was in Jamaica with the Peace Corps in the late '60's or early '70's (he has a sociology degree or something like that, whereas my undergraduate and graduate degrees are in art and design), so has a heads-up from the rest of us cos he got turned onto Rasta way early and shot and met performers on their home turf. I had his email, it was something like chuxpix@aol.com, but that's old. I don't keep in touch with him. We just travel in different circles.

Peace Corps, you familiar with it? A project of our wonderful President Kennedy, a means to share American knowledge to empower impoverished countries by sending our educated and dedicated young people, usually hippies, with some American money, to teach how to grow food, build roads, school, hospitals, etc and better themselves. Sharing democracy through teaching, rather than bombing them with shock and awe. I'm Jewish (like Chuck and most liberal hippies in those days and many, many LA and some NY early punks), but I believe that's the way Jesus worked, teaching people, not bullying them, which the present Administration claims to be following Jesus' teachings (of course he was a nice Jewish boy). That was the American way, and then someone killed Kennedy, probably those who led the path for the people who rule my beautiful and declining country. Of course, England led the way with Maggie Thatcher -- she and Reagan were birds of a feather. I digress . . . but the peace corps played a part in Jamaica in those years and plays up the role that America once cared enough to send people there to help.

I am so broke it's scary, but I am such a softie for good projects. What a treat if a shot or two of mine would be used in your Marley book, so let's keep that door open. Maybe a bit of green can pop up and some comp books and if you like the pix . . . and please, if at all possible, use my stories and my name. If you want me to re-write them so all the facts flow, cos I've added stuff today, lemme know.

If you want to send the quotes back to me after you've edited/written, I could write them so I sound a bit more coherent and the facts flow better. I would be SO FLATTERED if somebody finally quoted me correctly as a fan!!!! You have no idea how PISSED I get when people misquote dates and locations and other facts I include with my pix. Very few get it that I started as a FAN and am still a FAN. I ain't part of the press, I am an educated and accomplished artist who loves music. I was part of the inner LA circle that put a lot of music and performers on the map. My photos helped little bands get gigs and become legends and was part of the LA punk scene, a very integral inner member that is all too often overlooked. I turned a lot of the next two generations that came after me onto punk. They write me and refer to my photos. I changed their lives. I like Chuck, but you can never ever say that about him nor 90% of the other photographers. I came along early, lived the lifestyle and still do. That would make me very happy.

Yes, there is no way to ever express the heartbreak of the roll of Tosh and Marley that never was. All I can reflect upon is that I stood one foot from them talking to each other, and that was memorable. By the time I unloaded the film and realized the problem (I was using a new camera which I returned the next day), it was too late. The chance was over. And to think I was so proud cos I got past two big guards, something I never did before or since.

I was in such awe I didn't even ask for an autograph. At least I have so many other photos that most people don't have. And I have Marley backstage by himself, and Tosh on stage at Anaheim and some others of Tosh I haven't looked at since I took them. I have a few sad stories about film stolen (my black and white on stage Clash at Santa Monica Civic, the best shots I ever took of them), incorrectly developed and some more stolen, misplaced, whatever, but I have thousands and thousands to comfort me. Plus I was there and what I carry in my heart will last as long as I have my mind. But I love to share them with others.

Let's work together. I need to scan the sheet of 20 slides and post my best. Will try to do in the next couple of weeks. I have a few that I think are pretty good, maybe not compared to what other people have taken, but at least it verifies I was there and Rasta, especially Mr. Marley, was appreciated by us early punks.

No woman, no cry. No photos, no cry.

I haven't seen the Kate Simon book from Genesis [I think], who publish high end rock books. I haven't ever seen any of their books. I imagine you have to buy it to see it, but boy, would I love to peruse it! I bet it's a treasure trove of photos and stories! People beg me to do books, almost every day. I want to do high end like those, but have a lot of work to get there. She spent years on it, and I totally understand that scenario.

Keep in touch James! Rock on. jenny

-----Original Message-----
From: Jenny Lens, Sent: Wednesday, February 16, 2005 8:50 PM
To: Brad Elterman; jameswilson@bobmarley.freeserve.co.uk
Subject: found Jagger onstage with Tosh in evening performance

James and Brad,
Tosh at an indoor club, with Jagger onstage. Well, that's a blank. Gorgeous shots of the two singing. I wonder when and where, but had to be that time frame, July 1978. I will never forget -- I took a plane, probably the 18th or morning of the 19th at 2 am cos it was cheap to get to Houston. Stones played on the 19th. Must have flown back after the show, in the early hours of my birthday. My pals Mark Martinez and Cindy, now called Chance Lane, surprised me and decorated my little West Hollywood apartment. July 20th, my 28th birthday, I took mushrooms and shot the Screamers at the Roxy. Then July 21 saw/shot Marley in Burbank. Then the Stones and Tosh at Anaheim, shooting Tosh on a unicycle backstage. Me too. I had no idea. That was Brad's and my life. I recall the never ending night after night, often days turning into nights turning into days of shows and parties, dropping off slides, developing film and prints.

Any ideas where Jagger got on stage with Tosh? Did Tosh open for Stones in Houston, that would make sense, but I shot so few, maybe saving film for Stones. Lots of Tosh onstage at Anaheim. Thank you for encouraging me to pull those slides. Pulled the Sam Houston Stones color slides, amazing, amazing, gorgeous, wow . . . and some black and white. I had no idea the life that late I led . . . I am in shock and awe.

-----Original Message-----
From: jameswilson@bobmarley.freeserve.co.uk, Sent: Friday, February 18, 2005 6:13 PM
Subject: Marley Burbank flyer

Hi Jenny,

Wow. I have tried 5 different times to write the start of this email in an attempt to express my appreciation for your help and assistance but no words can do this justice. I was left speechless with the incredible stories and wealth of information you shared with me. You weren't joking when you said you had a terrific memory. It was as if I was reading about concerts you attended last week and not a quarter of a century ago.

The true story behind the Shrine Auditorium concert being moved to the Santa Monica Civic was a real eye opener. Again I can't thank you enough for alerting me to the fact that the "low ticket sales" was nothing more than a cover up. Were there (m)any other artists driven out of town by Police Chief Darryl Gates or was Marley an isolated case because of his strong advocacy of legalizing ganja? I wonder if the promoters, Steve Wolf and Jim Rissmiller remember anything about the show, are they still involved in the promotion industry?

I suspect you are right about the Roxy show being a mostly industry concert. From what I have been told (from someone with a first hand rejection from the Roxy box office) tickets were never put on official public sale which no doubt explains the large celebrity outpouring.

Thanks for correction on the Burbank venue, it was indeed the Starlight Amphitheatre. I am a stickler for detail so appreciate the heads up. I just pulled out the billing for the concert (which I have attached with this email) and noticed that the correct date was July 22, 1978 and not the 21st as I originally stated. I apologize for any confusion I may have caused. The Santa Barbara show (at the County Bowl) was the 23rd and San Diego (at the State University Open Air Theatre) the 24th.

I will start intersecting your quotes into the book immediately and will send everything back to you so you can approve/edit/add accordingly. You have given me so many great stories that I can't wait to begin adding them in. As a small way of showing my appreciation for all your help would it be possible to include your website address in the book? I think this would be a great way to promote your incredible work and educate Marley fans about your association with him. I am shocked that no one has ever taken the time to interview you about Bob. Hopefully by including your name and recollections in the book this will help to right this wrong. Also, when the book gets closer to completion I will create a website to help with promotion. Maybe we can do an interview about your work, photographs and the bands you helped make famous and include this on the site.

It would be such an honor for me to include some of your photos in the book. I think this would be a great to help illustrate your wonderful stories. I can't wait to see some of the shots, especially the ones of Bob signing autographs. Were these shot before or after the concert?

I have tried to get in touch with Chuck Krall but without luck. I will try the email address you gave me as I would at least like to try and touch base with him. I was warned about Chuck's reluctance of licensing photos for minimal money, which is perhaps the reason so few of his Marley photos have been seen in print in recent years. I wonder if the local press sent any photographers to cover the show. I know Richard Cromelin was sent by the LA Times but there was no accompanying photo with his review. Do you know of anyone or anywhere that has archival copies of the LA Free Press and Herald Examiner? Thinking about it, I know that Bruce Talamon was sent by Soul magazine and photographed the show but if I remember correctly he ran out of film before Peter joined Bob onstage for the encore. I will ask him again about this though.

I too have yet to pick up Kate Simon's book, mainly because of the high price tag, but have had the chance to flick through it. The book features some really candid shots of Bob, boarding planes, traveling across Europe by bus and riding through Copenhagen by bike. I really enjoy the candid, "behind the scenes" photos of Bob and so I was really excited when I learned that your photos of Bob were shot backstage and capture him relaxing and signing autographs. Have you contacted Genesis Publications about the possibilities of doing a book with them? I'm sure they, along with myself and the rest of the public, would have a great interest in your photos. The list of bands you photographed reads like a Who's Who of the 70s. What a time to be living in LA and you captured it all on film.

One Heart, James

-----Original Message-----
From: jameswilson@bobmarley.freeserve.co.uk, Sent: Friday, February 18, 2005 6:14 PM
Subject: Re: found Jagger onstage with Tosh in evening performance

Hi Jenny,

I suspect that the Tosh/Jagger photos must come from the Houston concert. Below is a list of dates for the Tosh/Rolling Stones 1978 tour.

June 10 - Civic Center, Lakeland, FL, USA
June 12 - Fox Theater, Atlanta, GA, USA
June 14 - Capital Theatre, Passaic, NJ, USA
June 15 - Warner Theater, Washington, DC, USA
June 17 - J.F.K. Stadium, Philadelphia, PA, USA
June 19 - The Palladium, New York City, NY, USA
June 21 - The Hampton Coliseum, Hampton, VA, USA
June 22 - Convention Center, Myrtle Beach, SC, USA
June 26 - War Memorial Coliseum, Greensboro, NC, USA
June 28 - Midsouth Coliseum, Memphis, TN, USA
June 29 - Rupp Arena, Lexington, KY, USA
July 01 - Municipal Stadium, Cleveland, OH, USA
July 04 - Rich Stadium, Orchard Park, NY, USA
July 06 - Masonic Hall, Detroit, MI, USA
July 08 - Soldier Field, Chicago, IL, USA
July 10 - Civic Center, St. Paul, MN, USA
July 11 - Keil Auditorium, St. Louis, MO, USA
July 13 - Superdome, New Orleans, LA, USA
July 17 - Folsom Field, Boulder, CO, USA
July 18 - Tarrant County, Fort Worth, TX, USA
July 19 - Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, TX, USA
July 20 - Starwood, Santa Monica, Hollywood, CA, USA - Early Show
July 20 - Starwood, Santa Monica, Hollywood, CA, USA - Late Show
July 21 - Starwood, Santa Monica, Hollywood, CA, USA - Early Show
July 21 - Starwood, Santa Monica, Hollywood, CA, USA - Late Show
July 23 - Anaheim Stadium, Anaheim, CA, USA
July 24 - Anaheim Stadium, Anaheim, CA, USA
July 26 - The Oakland Coliseum, Oakland, CA, USA
July 27 - Old Wardorf, San Francisco, CA, USA

The July 20/21 concerts at the Starwood were Tosh solo shows and though it was rumored that the Stones would put in an appearance, they never did. I just pulled out a couple of reviews of these shows and both include statements from a spokesman claiming that Jagger was relaxing in Texas at the time of the Starwood shows. This would definitely suggest that Mick was not at the Marley Burbank show. Thanks for help clearing this rumor up. The same person also told me that Diana Ross was at the Burbank show, though I now doubt this also.

What a birthday number 28 must have been, seeing the Stones, Screamers, Tosh and Marley in the space of 5 days! Reading these stories and your vivid memories surrounding the shows made me feel as though I was there with you. You have such a great writing style that draws the reader in. I would love to see a book filled with your photos and anecdotes behind each show. I really hope this becomes a reality.

Peter played at the Roxy a number of times through the years. His first run was from February 5 - 7, 1979. He then returned for 2 shows per night in 1981 running from August 20 - 22, and finally a 4 night stand from November 5 - 8, 1982.

Bob made one final appearance at the Roxy after the 1976 break out concert, performing on November 27, 1979 at a benefit concert for the Sugar Ray Robinson Youth Foundation. I believe tickets sold for upwards of $100 totaling in a $40,000 donation for the charity.

3 nights after this show Bob played the Oakland Auditorium Arena. It was here that Ronnie Wood joined the band onstage for the encore and played on the final 6 songs, much to the envy of Mick and Keith. I have tried for many years to interview Ronnie about this concert but without luck. I wonder if it is possible for your friend that worked on Ronnie's book to ask him on my behalf about this show? It sure would make for a great read.

Thanks! James

-----Original Message-----
From: jameswilson@bobmarley.freeserve.co.uk, Sent: Friday, February 18, 2005 6:16 PM
Subject: Re: can i post our marley emails?

Hi Jenny,

It's interesting to learn that Cindy Williams was at the Santa Monica concert. It's always great to find out which celebrities and musicians were moved and inspired by Bob's music. I know that Marty Jourard, of the Motels, was also at the Santa Monica show. I got the chance to interview him last year and while he couldn't remember all of the details of the performance, his lasting memory was of Bob's hypnotic stage presence, flying locks and the way in which he drew the audience in and made them feel apart of the music. Do you remember seeing any other industry people at the Santa Monica show besides Cindy Williams?

I was just re-reading through your quotes and almost forgot to ask, did you attend the San Diego 8 concert?

I agree it would be wonderful to post our emails on your website. Feel free to include whatever you want. It's the least I can do after all you have done for me. Hopefully it might also inspire those that saw Bob in concert to contact us and share their own memories.

Thanks, James

-----Original Message-----
From: Jenny Lens, Sent: Saturday, February 19, 2005 8:58 AM
To: jameswilson@bobmarley.freeserve.co.uk
Subject: thank you for all your comments

James,
Problem with my outgoing email. Need to find another internet provider, one who can handle an ecommerce site to sell my pix, and with better tech support. Seems when I try to send an email to a lot of people, I bring it to its knees. I can get email, I can surf the net, but sending email is a problem. I've talk to the phone company and the net provider and no one knows why. Hence the delay in responding.

Your comments brought tears to my eyes. It's not just being ignored re Marley quotes, cos I was never known to shoot him, hey, even I forgot, but being over-looked in the punk arena and by fellow punks that hurt me for over two decades!!! Other writers, performers, fans who benefited from my pix -- some wouldn't have the gigs they had - ignore me or don't tell people about me.

As I tell people, you tell me of any other purple haired, speed shooting, sex 'n' drugs n' rock 'n' roll photographer who lived the lifestyle, walked the walk and talked the talk. Plus with college art degrees, so I knew what we were doing would change our culture. But I've been ignored and treated very badly by many. Which is why I went underground and didn't work on my archives. I finally realized new fans find me and some from the past fondly remember and embrace me, so I'm getting delayed recognition and appreciation.

Most of all, I'm overjoyed finding shots in my drawers. It's as exciting for me to recall and share this. Many tell me the way I write makes them feel as if they were right with me and it happened yesterday. I'm just a passionate woman who's been put down for being too enthusiastic, and I said it in punk, and I say it now, this is where I belong. I have so much to catch up on.

I truly appreciate that what I did and am doing is good for you, cos what you write me is good for me!!! I love the Marley poster! I truly wish I saved posters and ticket stubs, but I really didn't get too many and I was so busy with taking photos and dealing with labs, printing lab, dealing with record companies, managers, venues. It took a lot of time and work to do what us photographers did, but most people think it was so easy. It was fun, so no complaints!

Of course it would be a great honor to have my website included and all the cool promo you suggested. I'm not sure if I can reclaim jennylens.com, cos someone stole it, but jennylens.net is mine. I've thought about contacting Genesis and people offer to introduce me to friends who publish high end art books or offer to publish with me, but I'm not ready! My files are a mess. You know it took Kate Simon about 7 years to put it together. I hope one day to get my hands on one of their publications to peruse.

It was a common and stupid practice to limit photographers and encourage writers. I can't tell you how many groups played in New York (say they came from England, then worked their way west or were from NY), and writers could cover the show in LA, but not photographers. They already had their photos. Photographers were not regarded as important as writers. This indicated the extremely limited vision of publicists and magazine/newspaper editors. They thought fans read reviews. I know many of us started with the photos and often no time nor interest to read. What did we put on our walls? Stories or photos?? So if you are having a hard time finding photos of shows, that's why.

Santa Monica show: I saw no other celebrities cos I sat in the back and Cindy was just starting her career, although I think she already was in "American Graffiti," the film that gave George Lucas the name and money to start his empire and was a great American classic the minute it was released. But it's not a fave film of mine, but to put in correct historical context, Cindy was far more famous than hot stars these days who come and go. Or this could be right before that film. I ran into Cindy and Penny Marshall (Laverne to Cindy's Shirley and a noted film director these days) years later after a Kiss show at the LA Forum. Cindy was warm and friendly to me, and I got the feeling she is basically a nice, shy woman like myself. Most celebrities would never be caught dead sitting with the other fans.

I noted sporadic info in hand-written date books that I put into my computer. I finally am referring to it, and the only info missing were the Marley dates.

July 19: Houston, Stones and Tosh [my date book did not indicate Tosh, just STONES].

July 20 and July 21: Screamers at the Roxy [my birthday on the 20th and I dropped mushrooms that night and took AMAZING shots].

July 22: Due to your dates, I realize I must have gone to the hotel with one of Marley's drummers after I was backstage at the Starlight in Burbank. He invited me to join him on the bus to Santa Barbara the next morning, but someone objected and I was so shy I didn't even say, hey, I just shot the Stones, I'm Creem magazine's masthead, yadda yadda. I was seen as some groupie and was too much in awe of what was going on to say anything. And I bet I was exhausted and there was always another show to shoot.

July 23: Missed Marley's Santa Barbara show. Stones and Tosh at Anaheim Stadium, 60,000 or so in attendance, huge in those days. I stood on that massive stage shooting Tosh. Shot Stones from the ground next to the side of the stage. Oh wow, I much rather have those shots!!! I was onstage at Anaheim Stadium, no wonder I wasn't too upset about not going to Santa Barbara and being with a man I didn't understand. Of course the Marley shots are more marketable, but I have no regrets. I WAS ONSTAGE and two years earlier looked through binoculars watching the Who, Aerosmith and others, never dreaming I'd be onstage shooting anyone.

July 24: For some reason I was busy the night of the San Diego show, July 24, and sped down there, getting one of my few speeding tickets. Which I indicated in my hand-written date book, and all the dates correspond to my database notes and yours.

I was never a fan of Rasta/reggae (Tosh bored the hell outta me) and all day outdoor concerts, especially in the hot summer days. I never wrote you anything about Marley onstage. Hmm, that's cos he didn't move me like he does others. Rasta is too slow for me. AND this is really important: I need to be up close and personal and see facial expressions. I love the backstage shots cos of his varied and relaxed expressions. If I can't see a performer, and I was never that close, and we are talking more than 20 feet, then I'm rarely into it. I saw Springsteen twice, once at Santa Monica Civic from way back (boring and forgettable and this is when he was on the cover of mags and called the future of rock) and once at LA Sports Arena, and ah, the arena was full of life and energy, Springsteen put on quite a show, but a favorite performance, no way. But I love Springsteen recordings!!!! I'm just so visual, what can I say?

Ok, rock shows and the LAPD (Los Angeles Police Department). It's no secret LA has never been a fan of rock shows. "Riot on Sunset Strip" is a quickie low budget 1060's era film based on the LAPD giving teens a hard time in West Hollywood during the time of the Doors, the mid-1960's. Several nightclubs, Pandora's Box the most infamous, were closed and destroyed or reopened without rock. You know how youth are to blame for our country's woes? Teens are wild, into sex and drugs, drinking and puking and pissing on lawns, being noisy and waking the hard-working parents. I can't give you specific bands or dates or clubs, but it was an ongoing problem.

The great miracle of punk was because we were such a small group of people, and disco and coke were the rage, the police didn't bother us as much as they could. I know they beat up some punks and bands, I know they caused problems for the Masque, but believe me, we got away with a lot.

We could sell drugs at clubs, we could have sex at clubs - I got pregnant in the upstairs backstage bathroom at the Whiskey. I got an abortion - one of the reasons I love the Sex Pistols song about "she don't want a baby who looks like that, Polly, it's an abortion!" and that was August or Sept, 1978, research notes vague. We could get into clubs under-aged, drink under-aged, drink after hours, etc.

Chuck is so strange cos he complains he is over-looked, no one calls him, then makes it difficult to find him and use his photos. He had access, being in Jamaica, that few of us had. What a drag, but there are many photographers who will not share their photos. It's an ongoing conversation I have with fans and writers all the time.

Most photographers don't hang out together and most were just snotty to me. Now that we are doing projects, I expect a few to crawl out of the woodwork to ride on my tail coats. Yeah, right. I've turned many photographers onto gigs, always telling people where to find them and then letting them know who is looking for what, and they never even say thanks.

No problem, life is full of too many good people to worry about those that don't wanna share.

Again, thank you for your wonderful comments. I can't wait to read what you write and see if I can add any clarity. I've written in lots of circles. On one hand I think it would be great to tell the story straight forward, rewriting and compiling info. On the other hand, it's such a great read to see how you and I shared info. It's so full of energy and people can read and appreciate how much goes into putting the facts together.

It's been my pleasure to share with you and look what happened! We're helping each other and isn't that what life is about. As you always write, one heart. Ah, what a beautiful thought!

Write back with any other questions or comments. And if you are ever in LA, we gotta hang together.

PS while sorting Gang of Four negs, cos they are touring soon and I love, love them and a pal emailed Hugo, who plays I don't know what in the band, about my site, I found Buzzcocks shots with Pete Shelley. Oh yeah, on one of the sheets, the last in the stack, a couple of rows at some backstage somewhere with PETER TOSH!!! I knew I had them, but if I were looking for them, never would have found them. I'll have to scan and maybe you can tell me who he's with. A friend hung out with Peter, and I might have some more casual shots here and there. But darn it, no negs, just the proof sheet, now what did I do with the negs . . . I always tell people, it's the negs that really surprise me. But then I find slides that blow my mind too . . .
jenny

-----Original Message-----
From: Jenny Lens, Sent: Sunday, April 10, 2005 4:00 PM
To: jameswilson@bobmarley.freeserve.co.uk
Subject: 7-24-76 Marley in San Diego

Hi James,
I found an entry in my timeline for the San Diego show, 7-24-76 cos I noted getting a speeding ticket in my date book. You already know he played the Santa Monica Civic on May 27, 1976.

I'm going to post our emails, but asking again that is ok. I've got a few blogs going to get my name and pix out there. I'll post your name and email ONLY if you want. Or not. Lemme know. Hope all is well, been buried in photos and posted more on my site. So back to it!

jenny

Addendum: I found an Iggy set list written on the back of a Bob Marley flyer!!! They used a brown felt marker, which bled through to the back.

"Bob Marley and the Wailers with special guest star Betty Wright, Saturday, December 1, 7:30 PM, Freeborn Hall, UC Davis. Tickets were $7.50 students, $8 general Admission. Produced by Avalon Attractions."

I shot Iggy in San Francisco at the Old Waldorf, and I bet that's where I got this, cos I've never been in Davis. Is that too funny or what?? jenny