Legendary Rock Photographer Mark Weiss To Hold Gallery Show In New York City This Thursday - Details Available!

This Thursday, September 6, legendary Rock N' Roll photographer Mark Weiss will be displaying many of his kick ass photos at Grit N' Glory in New York City. The event will also feature sexy fashion designs by Leggblings presented by very attractive women.

Who is Mark Weiss?

Well, here is some information about the very talented Mark Weiss: In 1973, 14-year -old Mark made a deal with a guy in his New Jersey neighborhood to cut the neighbor’s lawn all summer in exchange for a 35 mm camera. While still in high school, Mark snuck his camera into concerts, making his way up to the stage to shoot. He developed the prints in his parent’s bathroom and sold them for a buck a piece.

In 1977 Mark was arrested for selling his photos outside of the KISS Concert at Madison Square Garden and spent the night in jail. The next day he walked into the offices of Circus magazine with his portfolio. The timing was perfect. The art director needed AEROSMITH pictures. Mark’s first published work was a centerfold of Steven Tyler. Soon thereafter, Mark was hired as staff photographer for Circus, shooting covers and features. Fast forward a few years and Mark was shooting KISS, Steven Tyler, OZZY and other rock legends in his own studio, just two blocks away from Madison Square Garden where it all started.

Ozzy Osbourne has said of the photographer: “I’ve known Mark Weiss since he was a teenager. He was relentless in the pursuit of his art. Mark would knock on my hotel door all hours of the day and night wanting to take photos. He definitely had and still has the Rock N' Roll spirit.”

By the age of 20, Mark was publishing his photos worldwide in major Rock magazines such as Rolling Stone, Creem, Hit Parader and Rock Scene. He branched further into editorial work, shooting iconic celebrities of the 80’s, including Drew Barrymore, Rodney Dangerfield, Jack Nicholson and Cheech & Chong, to name a few. Mark was the primary photographer for MTV when it debuted in 1981, documenting many pop music firsts, including Madonna’s first sit-down interview.

Mark developed relationships with musicians and their managers, becoming immersed in creating the visual imagery of the Rock N' roll scene through his photography, art direction and video direction. Mark traveled around the world photographing tours for OZZY, AEROSMITH, MOTLEY CRUE, GUNS N' ROSES, KISS and BON JOVI, while creating album covers such as BON JOVI’s 'Slippery When Wet' and TWISTED SISTER’s 'Stay Hungry'.

More recently, Mark has added to his Rock archives by photographing rap, hip hop and pop stars, including album covers for Christina Aguilera and Gwen Stefani. Today, Mark’s iconic images line the walls of Broadway’s hit musical Rock of Ages at the Helen Hayes Theater. Mark continues to work with the iconic bands he started with more than 30 years ago, as well as with new artists. He also is involved with many charitable organizations, donating his photographs and time.

RSVP to this awesome event HERE!

All photos by: Mark Weiss

Related links:
Mark Weiss Gallery
Grit N' Glory's Official Site

'Rock Of Ages' Release Movie Trailer & Announce Film Details!

“Rock of Ages” tells the story of small town girl Sherrie and city boy Drew, who meet on the Sunset Strip while pursuing their Hollywood dreams. Their Rock N’ Roll romance is told through the heart-pounding hits of Def Leppard, Joan Jett, Journey, Foreigner, Bon Jovi, Night Ranger, REO Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Poison, Whitesnake, and more.

Warner Bros. has just released the first trailer for the feature adaptation of the Broadway musical Rock of Ages. The film tells the story of a small town girl (Julianne Hough) who falls in love with a larger-than-life rocker (Tom Cruise) set against the backdrop of the 1980s music scene, featuring songs from the likes of Journey, Foreigner, Styx, and REO Speedwagon. The gist of the trailer is that if you like 80s Rock, you’ll probably like a musical that only features 80s Rock and uses it as a basis for the plot. But there’s also an important lesson: When a sleazy guy played by Paul Giamatti gives you a chance at fame, you take him up on his obviously legit offer.

The film also stars Diego Boneta, Alec Baldwin, Russell Brand, Malin Akerman, Bryan Cranston, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Mary J. Blige. Directed by Adam Shankman (Hairspray), Rock of Ages opens on June 1, 2012.



Related links:
Official Site of Rock Of Ages

A Virus Beyond Heavy

Many of you may know Andre Michel Karkos (A.K.A. Virus) as the lead guitarist from the the American Industrial Heavy Metal/Rock band Dope. While Dope is on hiatus, awaiting for the right time to comeback with a solid record and a world tour. Virus has kept busy taking his career to new levels as musician, as a producer, and as a mentor. We recently had the chance to meet with him and chat about his current endeavors.

In the past few years Virus has stayed busy working as a producer, and was recently involved with the band Prong when he remixed the song "Looking For Them". He is also part of the band that performs on stage on the Broadway hit show Rock Of Ages and will soon join Spiderman, also on Broadway.
Additionally, Virus is a mentor for young kids who are aspiring to become professional musicians, and is heavily involved in various "Schools of Rock" in the Pennsylvania area. In the past he has arranged field trips with the kids, in which they got to meet Zakk Wylde from Black Label society and learn about what it's like to be on the road on a touring band.

At present time, Virus is getting ready to hit the road as guest guitarist for Belgium's own Lords Of Acid on their upcoming US tour. In case you didn't know, Lords of Acid is a post-Industrial/Acid House/Techno band formed by Praga Khan, who is one of the pioneers of the Rave sounds that lead to the creation of New Beat and Acid House.

Here is an exclusive interview we recently did with Virus, in which he discusses his past, his present, and his future as a professional musician. We want to thank Virus, Tim Martinez (DJ Tim No 37) and Evil Steve! \m/



Related links:
Dope's Official Site
Lords Of Acid Official Site