Ethan Russell Brings Rock Legends To Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts

By: Sarah Munn –

Ethan Russell (center) photographing The Beatles during their last-ever photo session on August 22, 1969 where Russell was only one of two photographers present.

Time machines have yet to be invented (unless someone is keeping a massive secret) but now and then we come across things that act almost like time machines, bringing us close to moments of the past.

Renowned rock photographer Ethan Russell’s goal was to do just that with his show, ‘The Best Seat in the House.’ The touring event was most recently held at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts on March 1st. Nearly 500 people showed up to take a journey with Russell back to the golden age of music.

“Did I have the best seat in the house? I had one of ‘em for sure,” said Russell as he began his slideshow presentation.

He took the audience through his story from being a fledgling photographer in the ‘60s to becoming the only person to have shot album covers for The Rolling Stones, The Beatles and The Who. Despite his photography being the focus of the evening, there was never an egotistical, all-about-me feel to it. Rather, Russell would be the first one to point out times when he really didn’t know what he was doing, when he worried about his work’s quality or when he felt the most lucky and humbled. The show was more about music history, the subjects of the pictures and the stories behind them than about Russell himself. His photography was simply the medium.

Russell’s career had quite a serendipitous start. He travelled to England in 1968 purely by chance, enticed by the music that was coming across the water, and happy to get away from a country being torn apart by the Vietnam War.

While still learning as he went, Russell managed to meet people who would ultimately shape his career. It was journalist Jonathan Cott (Rolling Stone) who asked him, “Would you like to photograph Mick Jagger?” For a music lover like Russell, “no” was not an option.

A collection of Ethan Russell’s most acclaimed photos, including The Beatles (far left) during their last-ever photoshoot on August 22, 1969 where Russell was only one of two photographers present, at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts on March 1st. (Photo: Sarah Munn/Aesthetic Magazine Toronto)

The serendipity continued when Cott again asked Russell if he’d like to join him on another incredible opportunity. Cott was going to be interviewing John Lennon, and he asked Russell if he’d like to photograph him.

This kick-started his photography career, which up to that point, had just been a thing he happened to do. His true passion had always been writing (which he has since pursued with success) but photography was a way to be creative and a way to be a part of the world of music he held so dear.

“When I was eight, I wanted to smile like Elvis,” said Russell as he shared a childhood photo of himself copying that classic cocked grin.

Being a musician would have been cool, but Russell admits that he wasn’t talented enough in the craft. Photography was a way for him to be as close to music as possible without playing an instrument.

After photographing Jagger and Lennon, he took his camera with him everywhere, and got increasingly better with time.

“Little by little I got to have a reputation,” said Russell.

Opportunities opened up at the Royal Albert Hall where he photographed Cream and Janis Joplin. Later he got to shoot The Doors at London’s Roundhouse. Meanwhile, his relationship with The Rolling Stones continued to blossom.

Russell did private photo sessions with the Rolling Stones and also got behind-the-scenes access to both their 1968 Rock n’ Roll Circus and 1969 U.S. tour, which concluded with the infamous free concert at Altamont Speedway. He got to know these rock stars for who they really were – English lads who lived in suburbia, who wore orange sweaters and paisley shirts and who would deflect compliments about their work.

“The reality was The Stones were quite gentlemanly,” he said.

Ethan Russell signs a photo for a fan at his “Best Seat in the House” show at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts on March 1st. (Photo: Sarah Munn/Aesthetic Magazine Toronto)

Russell’s body of work encompasses album covers, candid photographs and music videos. He has worked with The Who, Santana, James Taylor, The Eagles, Jerry Lee, k.d. lang, Joni Mitchell, Rosanne Cash, Paul Simon and Little Richard among others. He holds memories of them all.

He recalled a time when John Lennon phoned him, inviting him to his home for a photo session. It was just Russell, Lennon, Yoko Ono and a black cat, recording little pieces of history that day. The photos are gorgeous and real, emphasis on the real, capturing Lennon and Ono falling in love on film.

Throughout the show Russell explained that he does not direct his subjects during photo sessions. His photographs are snapshots of genuine moments, many of which have unplanned elements. One example he shared was the beautiful cover of Linda Ronstadt’s album, Hasten Down the Wind. On it, a horse gallops behind her on the beach. Today, that would often be a staged event used as a marketing tool. However in that case, Russell, who was behind the lens, said it was complete happenstance.

The Best Seat in the House is a perfect title for a great show. Not only did Russell have one of the best seats in music history, but every member of the audience got that same viewpoint. He shared almost 400 photos, all of them paired with a story to bring the scene to life. Running over the slideshow was a soundtrack set to the perfect volume that had the audience tapping their feet and singing along.

All in all, it was clearly a success – even his agent agrees.

“It’s nice to see the end result, from what started with an idea,” said Darcy Gregoire, Russell’s agent who has been planning the show with him for more than a year.

“It’s exciting to see the finished product,” he said. “It met all of my expectations.”

Following the show, there was a Q and A period, where people got to ask their most burning questions. Audience members queried Russell on everything from “What’s your favourite camera?” (Nikon, 24mm and 105 mm fixed lenses) to “Who’s your favourite drunk?” (Keith Moon).

The guests then emptied out into the lobby where Russell’s prints were available for sale  and he was available to sign them and meet fans.

One fan in particular had been waiting three years to meet Russell.

Paul Brenton, 51, bought not just one copy, but a stack of Russell’s book, Let It Bleed, when a Borders bookstore closed down. He now gives them away as special gifts. Upon reading the book, Brenton felt a connection with Russell and decided to write to him.

Paul Brenton (right) and his wife Kendall (left) at Ethan Russell’s “Best Seat in the House” show at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts on March 1st. (Photo: Sarah Munn/Aesthetic Magazine Toronto)

That was three years ago and the two have stayed in email contact ever since.  Brenton was all smiles and said he enjoyed the show. He particularly liked being able to learn the stories behind the photographs.

“It wasn’t just one shot, there was another shot,” said Brenton, referencing the photos that continue the story, the ones taken a second or two after well-known pictures. Russell shared examples of these throughout the show, providing more insight to the captured moments.

“This photo is iconic,” he added, referring to the print he bought of the shot of Keith Richards next to a “drug free America” sign in an airport.

Brenton also noted an appreciation for Russell’s character. He said Russell has a profound moral compass, having also done some charity work in that regard.

“It shows his humble nature,” said Brenton, about the fact that Russell did not allude to these things in the show.

The tagline for Russell’s work, “real moments with extraordinary people,” is brilliant. It sums up exactly what his photographs are. They show you snippets of music history and candid moments that could only be recorded by someone behind-the-scenes. Russell’s ‘Best Seat in the House’ show is as close to a time machine trip to the golden age of music as we can get.