Tag: on the road

THE GREAT NORTH AMERICAN ECLIPSE

For the second time in seven-years, a total solar eclipse recently swept the United States and Lou Brutus was on hand to photograph the spectacle. Dubbed The Great North American Eclipse as it crossed from Mexico into the USA and then finally up into Canada, it was the last total eclipse in the lower forty-eight states until 2044.

After months of planning, LB flew into Columbus, Ohio the morning of the eclipse. He had chosen a spot just north of the city in Lewis Center, Ohio to set up his equipment. The location was picked as it got him far enough into the Path of Totality to see a total eclipse of one-minute and fifty-seven seconds, but not too far away from the airport as he needed to be on a flight back shortly after totality ended. The plan came off without a hitch and Lou was on-the-air according to schedule that night.

In the run up to the event, a number of news outlets used Lou’s eclipse photographs from 2017 in new articles including Yahoo Entertainment here.

There are three major eclipse events on the way in the coming years including Spain 2026, Egypt 2027, and Australia 2028. Lou his hoping to catch at least one of those. As he said shortly following totality in Ohio, “You have got to see a total solar eclipse at least once in your life. It will fill you with shock, awe, and a sense of wonder. It’s kinda like a Slipknot concert in that respect.”

CHEAP TRICK “IN ANOTHER WORLD”

Congratulations to Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees Cheap Trick on the release their 20th studio album In Another World. It is the band’s first Number One album having topped the Billboard charts for Classic Rock Radio including Top Rock Albums and Independent Record Label Current Albums.

The record also includes photography by Lou Brutus with three live shots of the band from him on the jacket. For the fans who have asked, the gigs he shot these particular images at include Washington DC 2019, Silver Spring MD 2015, and Fairfax VA 2014.

Some of Lou’s other Cheap Trick photography is also showing up in other places. The band’s Rick Nielsen recently gave an interview to Illinois Entertainer magazine. A full band shot by LB is featured on the cover of the mag with another of his stage shots used in the article. You can read the (excellent) interview and see Lou’s pics here.

Many thanks to his old friends in the band with extra thanks for the liner note credit!

SLIPKNOT AT THE IOWA STATE FAIR

It was a history making event as Slipknot headlined the Iowa State Fair with LB on hand to interview and photograph the band, as well as act as stage emcee.

The group had dreamed of playing the hometown event for twenty-years, but a variety of factors kept them from making happen. However, on Saturday August 10th, 2019, it finally happened. The gig, which occurred the day after the new album “We Are Not Your Kind” was released, was completely sold out with French metal gods Gojira opening the proceedings. Lou was given the honor of announcing the band at this momentous occasion, having been introduced to the crowd by his friend Andy Hall from longtime hardDriveRadio affiliate Later 103.3 in Des Moines. He gave a short, emotional speech on his love for the band and the importance of live music.

Before the show, Lou conducted at 30-minute interview with the band’s Corey Taylor which covered every aspect of the new album and latest tour cycle. He then photographed the concert from the photo pit then ended the night joining the band backstage. In the days leading up to the concert, Brutus drove the diehard maggots into a frenzy with limited-edition stickers commemorating the show featuring the fair’s legendary butter cow, which is literally a cow carved from butter. Droves of fans combed the fairgrounds in search of LB calling out the phrase from the sticker “You can’t see Iowa without the butter cow’s eyes!” The stickers are now completely gone.

THE ROLLING STONES

Brutus was honored to once again photograph The Rolling Stones and spend the evening backstage at their “Stones No Filter Tour.” This latest show was the July 3rd stop at FedEx Field outside of Washington, DC. Lou last joined the band at Twickenham Stadium in London in June 2018. He posted some thoughts regarding the band…

“‘Ladies and Gentlemen, The Greatest Rock N Roll Band in the World: The Rolling Stones!’ With that wonderfully boastful declaration the guys showed why they are still on top 57-years after it all first began. Later, I’ll post some show reviews that are more eloquent regarding the current tour than I could do currently. For now, allow me to say you are out of your head if you miss what could be your last chance to see one of the most significant chapters in the history of popular music. I laugh in the face of people who make jokes about the ages of the Stones members. Those people are fools. When you see how Mick Jagger works the stage and the crowd you simply can’t believe it. I couldn’t move like that when I was 16. The guitar interplay between Keith and Ronnie is like few other things you’ll ever hear. It’s a joy. And through it all Charlie Watts sits there like a Rock N Roll sphinx keeping it all together, moving it forward. Of course, he’s always been the band’s secret weapon. The other musicians, including the legendary Chuck Leavell and Daryl Jones, are spot on. Special mention should also be made of backing vocalist Sasha Allen who gets to shine with Jagger during “Gimme Shelter.” Finally, while the stage production is magnificent, it still comes down to the songs. Every single one will make you crazy and happy and sing and play air guitar. I truly hope you have plans to see #StonesNoFilter. If you don’t, make them. Now.”

LB will look to make other stops on the tour including the final show in Miami on August 31st. In the meantime, you can check out his pics from the tour in the Images of the site as well on his verified social media accounts. Many thanks to Lou’s old-time tour friend MW for the hospitality!