In this episode of Seeing Them Live, host Charles welcomes Rudy Childs, an award-winning documentary filmmaker and rock photographer. Rudy shares insights into his career, highlighting his acclaimed documentaries on heavy metal music and his extensive photography work with iconic bands like Van Halen and Aerosmith. The conversation touches on Rudy’s early concert experiences, notably his first Aerosmith concert at 15, which set the course for his unique approach to concert photography by sneaking cameras into shows to capture legendary moments.
Rudy also discusses the highs and lows of his journey, including curious anecdotes such as impersonating a Kerrang magazine writer for a band interview and his encounter with Sharon Osbourne when she threw him out of Ozzy’s dressing room. His passion for rock music is evident in his vivid recollections of concerts and the lengths he went to photograph and videotape these events, despite the challenges posed by his battles with drug use.
Beyond photography, Rudy describes his venture into filmmaking, with documentaries like ‘The Dogmatics’ and ‘Tension,’ exploring bands that shaped the punk and metal scenes. He details his creative process and the enthusiasm with which he pursued these projects, despite personal setbacks. His work has been celebrated, winning several awards and being featured in numerous publications.
Rudy concludes by sharing exciting updates and future plans, including a potential publication of his candid memoir ‘Riff Raff and Rock and Roll,’ which delves into his personal experiences with addiction and recovery. He also hints at a significant project involving a well-known band, showcasing his ongoing dedication to documenting the world of music.
BANDS: Aerosmith, Alice Cooper, Black Sabbath, Blue Oyster Cult, Cheap Trick, Chicago White Sox, David Bowie’s band, Tin Machine, Elton John, Flock of Seagulls, Foreigner, J Giles, Judas Priest, Madonna, Megadeth, Men at Work, Metallica, Michael Stanley band, Motley Crue, Nantucket, Ozzie Osbourne, Pink Floyd, Quiet Riot, Rick Derringer, Scorpions, Stray Cats, Ted Nugent, The Kinks, The Outlaws, Thin Lizzy, Tom Petty, Van Halen
VENUES: Boston garden, Cape Cod Coliseum, Comiskey park, Four Seasons, Hammerjacks, Merriweather, Nassau Coliseum
PATREON:
https://www.patreon.com/SeeingThemLive
Please help us defer the cost of producing this podcast by making a donation on Patreon.
WEBSITE:
https://seeingthemlive.com/
Visit the Seeing Them Live website for bonus materials including the show blog, resource links for concert buffs, photos, materials related to our episodes, and our Ticket Stub Museum.
INSTAGRAM:
https://www.instagram.com/seeingthemlive/
FACEBOOK:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550090670708
