“Take a hand and take a bow.
You played for me; that's all for now, oh, and never
mind the words just hum along and keep on going.
Walk on slowly --- don't look behind you.
Don't say goodbye, love. I won't remind you.”
Slow Marching Band – Jethro Tull
We often think of our musical heroes as otherworldly, larger than life, untouchable, out of reach magical beings. And despite lyrics that invite the listener to join hands with the singer and to walk in time to the music, we place those revered artists on pedestals…perhaps out of fear that they will turn out to be simply regular people, obsessed with irrational fears, self-doubt, and the insecurities that plague us all.
Ever since I first heard Jethro Tull’s Aqualung album in the early 1970s, I’ve held Martin Barre, Tull’s former guitarist, in the highest regard. That solo on the title tune has long ranked as one of the most iconic ever, and for a thirteen-year-old learning to play guitar, represented the pinnacle of achievement to mastering the instrument.
So, imagine my excitement at the prospect of interviewing my long-time musical hero, Martin Lancelot Barre, and then covering his 2019 show (Martin Barre Band Celebrates 50 Years of Jethro Tull) in Alexandria, Virginia, as part of my work with ParklifeDC. Some say that you should never meet your heroes, that they are bound to disappoint you. But our interview was lovely, with Martin embodying my notion of a kindly, English gentleman, especially given that he patiently put up with my silly fanboy questions about…The Solo.
The night of the concert arrived-I believe I was the only one there with a camera. Scrambling around on my knees in front of the stage, I was trying to find some interesting angles and lighting when I believe Martin spied me crouched on the right, crossed from stage left, and proceeded to rip one of his signature solos directly above me (I don’t remember if it was the “Aqualung” solo, but that really doesn’t matter). These images, a series of about a half dozen, is the result of those few seconds.
I will be forever grateful to Martin for gifting me this series of portraits. Though there is nothing extraordinary about these images (no rock star poses, no laser beams-just a guy playing guitar), they nonetheless capture a connection made through pictures: that photography is, or at least should be, about creating relationships. Indeed, these images, and the circumstances surrounding them, have left an impression ingrained far more deeply than could any interview. For that brief instant when Martin stood and played in front of me and my camera, a bond, however fleeting, was created.
Thank you, Martin, for a musical memory this 60-something year old teenager will always cherish.
All photos copyright Mark Caicedo/PuraVida Photography
Love this series, and great shots. The Birchmere is a wonderful place to hear music, but it can be tough to shoot. I have similar memories of a Dave Alvin show; an experience I’ll never forget. Thanks for writing and telling us yours.