In Atlanta GA there is a community radio station WRFG (Radio Free Georgia) with one of the longest running blues shows in the country from 6-10 am M-F (now available to stream). Many of the long tenured DJ's get a chance to do live interviews with just about everybody every now and then. Blackjack (and his wife) on Tuesday is no exception and I don't know how long ago (long time!) he interviewed Sidney Smith in great depth. It was mesmerizing and pulled no punches. This was not always a harmonious relationship with Gregg and to hear the details was truly fascinating. For many many years I recorded the shows on a double cassette since this is not exactly prime time :) I still have a very large box full of cassette tapes and now I wonder if I have the interview on tape. I have to acquire another deck to access all of these tapes but this is yet another reason to do so.
Wow! What a great story about a kid showing up with a desire to shoot pictures of a band he likes and starts on a path that becomes his life's work. A lot of youngsters could take a lesson from this story; following your heart can open doors you never imagine at the time. Thanks Alan!
Sidney was a character and a great photographer. The last time I spoke with him in Macon was after he survived Katrina. He told a bizarre story of being stranded on the upper floor of a house with a duffel bag filled with cash, but managed to somehow get out of New Orleans. RIP Sidney.
I was Sidney's lawyer in the trial against the Coroner. This piece is a real tribute to him; thanks for this. I've never met anyone like him, and likely never will again. I wish he could have lived to enjoy the party that was scheduled for tomorrow. Any word on a "celebration of life" for Sidney"?
I didn't know Sidney-- I think I met him at some Allman-related event at the Fox in Atlanta, and the Georgian Terrace-- but we were Facebook Friends and interacted occasionally.
I just read about him in the second volume of The McCartney Legacy, which covers 1974-1980. Much of Venus and Mars, as you probably know, was recorded in New Orleans, and a very young Sidney had a brief gig photographing for Macca.
I'm glad I took the opportunity to speak to Sidney a few times in the last few years. That's like when Tommy Talton passed away recently. I had spoken to him not long before that, when I asked him if he could explain what they were talking about at the beginning of 'Please Be With Me', with the 'Fastball' thing.
He did just that. And now I feel like I know insider knowledge lol. Knowledge that I learned straight from the man himself.
It was actually on YouTube on the vid with him, Scott, and Galdrielle when they played 'Please Be With Me' with the double bass, IIRC.
I Just asked him what exactly they were talking about at the beginning with the 'fastball' thing. IIRC, he said there's a part in the song where it goes from this to that and it comes up real fast so watch for the signal or whatever it was. I need to go back and find it so I can actually remember what it was he said exactly. That was the gist of it, though.
I was Sidney's lawyer in the trial against the Coroner. This piece is a real tribute to him; thanks for this. I've never met anyone like him, and likely never will again. I wish he could have lived to enjoy the party that was scheduled for tomorrow. Any word on a "celebration of life" for Sidney"?
I was Sidney's lawyer in the trial against the Coroner. This piece is a real tribute to him; thanks for this. I've never met anyone like him, and likely never will again. I wish he could have lived to enjoy the party that was scheduled for tomorrow. Any word on a "celebration of life" for Sidney"?
In Atlanta GA there is a community radio station WRFG (Radio Free Georgia) with one of the longest running blues shows in the country from 6-10 am M-F (now available to stream). Many of the long tenured DJ's get a chance to do live interviews with just about everybody every now and then. Blackjack (and his wife) on Tuesday is no exception and I don't know how long ago (long time!) he interviewed Sidney Smith in great depth. It was mesmerizing and pulled no punches. This was not always a harmonious relationship with Gregg and to hear the details was truly fascinating. For many many years I recorded the shows on a double cassette since this is not exactly prime time :) I still have a very large box full of cassette tapes and now I wonder if I have the interview on tape. I have to acquire another deck to access all of these tapes but this is yet another reason to do so.
That’s awesome.
Wow! What a great story about a kid showing up with a desire to shoot pictures of a band he likes and starts on a path that becomes his life's work. A lot of youngsters could take a lesson from this story; following your heart can open doors you never imagine at the time. Thanks Alan!
Seems like he had a life many music fans would be envious of. Sorry for your loss.
Thank you and yes he did!
Sidney was a character and a great photographer. The last time I spoke with him in Macon was after he survived Katrina. He told a bizarre story of being stranded on the upper floor of a house with a duffel bag filled with cash, but managed to somehow get out of New Orleans. RIP Sidney.
Thanks Buddy. Have to be a character to slide into this gang of characters.
I was Sidney's lawyer in the trial against the Coroner. This piece is a real tribute to him; thanks for this. I've never met anyone like him, and likely never will again. I wish he could have lived to enjoy the party that was scheduled for tomorrow. Any word on a "celebration of life" for Sidney"?
Great. Thank you. I have not heard about a celebration. Has to be one, right? Thanks for your work with him and I agree about the party!
I didn't know Sidney-- I think I met him at some Allman-related event at the Fox in Atlanta, and the Georgian Terrace-- but we were Facebook Friends and interacted occasionally.
I just read about him in the second volume of The McCartney Legacy, which covers 1974-1980. Much of Venus and Mars, as you probably know, was recorded in New Orleans, and a very young Sidney had a brief gig photographing for Macca.
Thanks Josh.
Sounds like a cool person who lived a really cool life. God bless!
Rest in Peace, Sidney.
I'm glad I took the opportunity to speak to Sidney a few times in the last few years. That's like when Tommy Talton passed away recently. I had spoken to him not long before that, when I asked him if he could explain what they were talking about at the beginning of 'Please Be With Me', with the 'Fastball' thing.
He did just that. And now I feel like I know insider knowledge lol. Knowledge that I learned straight from the man himself.
Anyway. Thanks for sharing, Alan. 🙏
You got it. Tommy was a gem.
Love to hear that story as a Cowboy fan.....
It was actually on YouTube on the vid with him, Scott, and Galdrielle when they played 'Please Be With Me' with the double bass, IIRC.
I Just asked him what exactly they were talking about at the beginning with the 'fastball' thing. IIRC, he said there's a part in the song where it goes from this to that and it comes up real fast so watch for the signal or whatever it was. I need to go back and find it so I can actually remember what it was he said exactly. That was the gist of it, though.
I still can't believe he told me about it lol.
So, do share!
Thanks Alan. Great piece. Just bought the book on ebay.
Great legacy of images he left us.Thanx for sharing. My heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. RIP Brother
May his memory be a blessing
I was Sidney's lawyer in the trial against the Coroner. This piece is a real tribute to him; thanks for this. I've never met anyone like him, and likely never will again. I wish he could have lived to enjoy the party that was scheduled for tomorrow. Any word on a "celebration of life" for Sidney"?
I was Sidney's lawyer in the trial against the Coroner. This piece is a real tribute to him; thanks for this. I've never met anyone like him, and likely never will again. I wish he could have lived to enjoy the party that was scheduled for tomorrow. Any word on a "celebration of life" for Sidney"?