RockOverdose.gr, the greek rock/metal webzine, had the great honor to interview the one and only Ross Halfin, one of the world’s pre-eminent music photographers and artists. Throughout the ‘80s and ‘90s Ross Halfin rode tour buses and private jets with the biggest names in rock music, helping create a visceral visual identity for the heavy-rock-scene. Today, having traveled, literally all over the globe Ross Halfin remains in the thick of the action and shares his experiences of this journey with us… Enjoy!
RockOverdose: You actually lived in the golden age of rock n’ roll, it would be interested to know how do you see today’s music scene. From your point of view, what are the main differences and are there any similarities between that era and today?
Ross Halfin: There is little music scene today, in the old days it wasn't a corporate run entity, which it is today. Today is very much about making money and sadly music has less to do with it.
RockOverdose: There’s always an interesting story behind a photo. Can you describe us any special moment from your experience together with the most legendary bands?
Ross Halfin: Most of what you think are legendary bands are actually ordinary people. It's funny in 2012 photographed Led Zeppelin on the roof of a building in New York City and didn't even give it any thought. There's no way I could have imagined doing this as a fourteen year old listening to Led Zeppelin. Metallica are another band who used to do lots of photo shoots in interesting places when they first started, but then stopped. In the last year we've started doing this again, which is interesting and really nice. We will turn up to locations, say a beach, and people will be shocked to see us on it doing pictures!
RockOverdose: Do you photo shoot mainly as a professional or as a fan of music? How easy it is for you to combine these two elements?
Ross Halfin: Mainly as a professional now. But when I shoot a band like Soundgarden, who I love, I am still a fan. If you take pictures as a fan hopefully it translates to the photographs. Rather than a photographer who has no interest in the artist they are working with.
RockOverdose: You have eventually traveled around the globe, visiting its 5 continents. Can you mark one scenery from each continent?
Ross Halfin: Antartica – The icebergs reminded me of the 'Yes' album cover Close To The Edge.
China, Shanghai – Overlooking the city with Metallica. This was the first time they had ever played China.
NYC skyline – I was here shooting the Celebration Day session with Led Zeppelin, 2012.
Australia - The Twelve Apostles outside of Melbourne.
London – The view over London as you come in to land.
RockOverdose: Is there somebody or something you haven’t captured with your lens yet?
Ross Halfin: To be honest, there is no living musician that I have not photographed that I would like to... Easter Island is the one location I would love to go to, hopefully this year.
RockOverdose: Thank you for your time. Would you like to leave a message to the Greek readers of Rock Overdose?
Ross Halfin: Go and listen to 'Split' by The Groundhogs...
For RockOverdose.gr,
Zisis Petkanas
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