PATTERNS AND TONES

"Jonnie Green from Tonup Classics No.1" Rockers, bikers, greasers, ton-up boys... the label may change from country to country but you know one when you see one and hear their motorcycles coming. My Dad was a greaser in Connecticut back in the 5T's. I remember he used to boast about how he had the best DA around and used to roll a pack of cigarettes up his sleeve.  But in the Bay Area where I grew up there weren't a lot of Rockers around.  That changed when I moved down to Los Angeles. This subculture of motorcycle boys and Rock-A-Billy kids where much more prevalent down here.  Jonnie Green from Tonup Classics , a Rocker I've known, and admitting full disclosure - married, generously sat down for a little chat on his motorcycle restorations, his passion for these machines and thoughts on motorcycle culture. I've been dying to post these pictures I took of him several months after we met back in 2004. They are pretty timeless, a quality I strive for...

February 9, 2013 It will be a year ago tomorrow that Patterns and Tones was born and what a year it has been! I started this blog as a way to have a platform to share my photographic archives with the world, as well as to have an opportunity to share stories that hadn't been told. Truth be told, it was also an impetus for me to begin the long haul of digitizing these archives, and bring them into the light of the 21st century. Since 1985, I've been photographing those I know, love and admire. Fortunately I have a very long roster of kookie, fun, and interesting friends who I have been documenting over the years. I started out as a teenage photographer, and although the evolution of my style, work ethic and tools have changed and grown over the years, it's the exploration of the map of the soul written on each individuals face that continues to fascinate me. That and Rock n' Rollers! To celebrate this one year anniversary, I thought it appropriate to list the t...

There aren't enough adjectives I could use to truly describe the fabulous Ms. Pearl Harbour . Kind, kool and karismatic come to mind, as well as talented, thoughtful and tough. She's an amazing vocalist who's has been at the heart of the Rock and Roll, New Wave, Punk, Cabaret and Rockabilly scene since the 1970's. The paths which she has taken throughout her life are stewn with incredible twists of fate, the route filled with experiences that we only wish we could have been there for, all of which have lead her down the road to Rock and Roll history. I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Pearl in her Hollywood home which was impeccably decorated with vintage finds that would make even the most die hard collector hold their breath in delight and amazement.  The following interview is one mindblowing tale after another that she has graciously shared with Patterns and Tones. These tales come from a life lead with passion and guts, from one of the coolest chi...