I was traveling a lot this summer… To Tokyo and the mountains of Japan, to Vancouver and Nashville with much of the action in NYC as usual!
June 26 – NYC – I took the photos of Troy Germano with Joan Jett and producers who worked at the Germano Studio for the cover of Mix Magazine.
July 20 – Tokyo – I went to Tokyo where my book “Rock Seen” was released with a big exhibit at Parco Museum.
July 20 – Tokyo – Makoto Ayukawa of Sheena and The Rokkets checking out my exhibit at Parco Museum.
July 28 – Japan – “Rock Seen” was published by Smash Productions, who also produce the Fuji Rock Festival, so naturally they had several booths there to sell the book.
July 28 – Japan – Elvin Bishop and Yazo Kayama performed together during Fuji Rock Festival. Yazo is 81 years old and is Japan’s answer to Elvis Presley… and he’s still rocking!
July 30 – Japan – It was great to see The Strypes on stage during Fuji Rock Festival. They brought true old school style Rock & Roll to the Japanese fans.
Aug 4 – Tokyo – Makoto Ayukawa of Sheena and The Rokkets organized a party for me at Red Shoes club in Tokyo. Guest performers included celebrated Japanese musicians Diamond Yuki, Char, and Nao Yuki Fujii on stage.
Aug 5 – Tokyo – I gave a talk at my exhibition joined by Yuya Uchida, and Makoto Ayukawa. My words were translated by my good friend Yuki Taira (next to me above).
Aug 6 – Tokyo – My wife Elizabeth Gregory-Gruen and Yuki Taira check out the photos my friend, photographer Gin Satoh was showing us as he planned his exhibition of Iggy Pop photos.
Aug 7 – Tokyo – I went to a street fair with Yuki, Elizabeth, Makoto, and his daughter Yoko Ayukawa.
Aug 10 – Vancouver – Brian Liss of Liss Gallery in Toronto organized an exhibit of my photos in Vancouver at the Pendulum Gallery. On the way back from Japan we stopped there for the opening party, and Brian had all the staff wearing NYC shirts!
Aug 17 – NYC – Back in New York Alejandro Escovedo and Joe Ely shared a storytelling night at City Winery. They talked about the stories behind the songs they sang.
Aug 19 – Asbury Park – Jesse Malin organized a Joe Strummer tribute show at the Stone Pony and my son Kris Gruen played several songs in the show.
Aug 19 – Asbury Park – Supla came from Brazil and joined Jesse Malin on stage during the Joe Strummer tribute show at the Stone Pony.
Aug 22 – Jersey City – I’ve made a new silk screen edition with Gary Lichtenstein at his studio in Jersey City. This one is Keith Richards. A new series of smaller silkscreen prints should be ready soon.
Sept 7 - NYC - Eugene Hutz of Gogol Bordello and Casey Spooner of Fischerspooner at Neuehouse.
Sept 7 – NYC – Mark Ronson was hard at work as DJ at the Roxy Hotel. He really works the control panel as he plays records, using tone and volume to change the mood of the music.
Sept 12 – Nashville – I met The Dead Deads at the Mercy Lounge when they played as part of a benefit night to help victims of the recent hurricanes.
Sept 13 – Nashville – Syl Sylvain and Bebe Buell came to my “Rock Seen” talk and book signing at the “Two Old Hippies” store.
Sept 23 – NYC – Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt and Tre Cool of Green Day ready to go onstage at the Global Citizens Festival in Central Park.
Sept 23 – NYC – Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day on stage during the Global Citizens Festival in Central Park.
Sept 28 – NYC – Jesse Malin, Syl Sylvain, Lenny Kaye, Alejandro Escovedo and Kenny Aaronson backstage at Bowery Electric for a New York Dolls tribute show.
Oct 10 – NYC – Ai Weiwei during the screening of his film “Human Flow” at the Whitby Hotel.
Oct 13 – NYC – Slash of Guns N’ Roses, Perla Ferrar, Jimmy Webb, Duff McKagen of Guns N’ Roses and Susan Holmes celebrate the opening of Jimmy’s new store “I Need More” on Orchard Street. Best Rock & Roll clothes in town!
Oct 22 – Paris – My granddaughter Jasmine’s birthday is 2 days before mine and she turned 12 this year, so instead of my usual party I took her to Paris and we went to see the Rolling Stones at the U Arena! They were as good as ever!
