Art Bergmann & Steven Drake

 

My adventures with rock started at an American High School in Mexico City where I was teaching around 1973. My students asked me one day, “Mr. Hayward what do you think of Alice Cooper?” They laughed when I answered, “Who is she?”

It was in 1979 in Vancouver when I was set straight by two events. Vancouver Magazine sent me to the Smilin’Buddha to photograph a performance. I witnessed Art Bergman and his K-Tels. I put my camera bag in a corner and I pogoed with the rest of the audience.

In that year I took my first rock photograph of a group called Gary Cramer and the Works. I had no idea of what I was doing but somehow I lucked out and it is one of my favourite ever rock photographs. It was then when I met Stephen Drake and his brother Adam. In the early 70s when they were living in Los Angeles their parents would take them to a farm of a friend called Neil Young. It was then when the Drake brothers decided on their future careers.

Gary Cramer & the Works - 1979

 

The people who live in Vancouver in my opinion are quite reserved but when I go to concerts where either Drake or Bergmann play I am hit by their extreme passion. That they have persisted with it and are performing together 46 years later has been inspiration for me at my age of 82 to keep with my photography and writing.

The two will be playing their guitars and Bergmann will sing this Friday 25 of July at 7pm (performance will begin at 8) at Blue Light Studio, 1839 Franklin Street.

This amateur who did not know who Alice Cooper was believes that Drake is the best electric guitarist in Canada. Bergmann is a rare post punk performer who really now is a folk punk. His lyrics are about the terrible happenings of our world right now. He is an angry man who sometimes softens up but will not let go in protesting man’s inhumanity to man.

I would not miss this concert for anything. I have purchased my ticket.