Exposed: Bob Minkin, ‘The Music Never Stopped’
Jerry Garcia and Phil Lesh (above), The Pavilion, Fairfax, Calif., 8/22/81
This tiny rec hall hosted one of the few shows that Phil Lesh played with the Jerry Garcia Band. The gig, which was billed as Jerry Garcia’s “Birthday Benefit,” helped out the Fairfax school district and featured lots of balloons. Cake was served to everyone.
Bob Weir and Natascha Münter Sweetwater Music Hall, Mill Valley, Calif., 12/15/13
On the way home from Neal Schon’s wedding, Bob and his wife Natascha stopped by Steve Kimock’s show at Sweetwater. Jerry Garcia’s “Wolf ” guitar was also on hand for the night.
Phil Lesh Terrapin Crossroads, San Rafael, Calif., 7/16/15
Since it opened its doors in 2012, Terrapin Crossroads—Phil Lesh’s home away from home—has established itself as one of the Bay Area’s premier music venues. Featuring music in the bar every night, brunch shows on the weekend and a newly opened outdoor venue, “The Backyard,” it’s a musical smorgasbord. (Phil frequently sits in with the bands that play there.) More than just a music venue, Terrapin Crossroads has become the center of a community of Deadheads and those wanting to hear some of the best live jam music being played today.
Phil Lesh Terrapin Crossroads, San Rafael, Calif., 6/12/15
Phil’s grandson Levon wandered onstage before the show, much to the delight of everyone, especially Phil.
Barry Sless Fairfax, Calif., 2/22/17
One of my favorite musicians, Barry plays in a number of groups including David Nelson Band, California Kind and Moonalice. We brought his pedal steel out on his deck to capture the beautiful light and fog rolling in.
Steve Kimock and Bob Weir Mill Valley, Calif., 5/19/17
I treasure being able to capture intimate moments like this when I’m a fly on the wall. Here, Bob and Steve are working out some tunes before playing a benefit show at a private home.
Move Me Brightly—Celebrating Jerry Garcia’s 70th Birthday TRI Studios, San Rafael, Calif., 8/3/12
The ultimate playpen for musicians, TRI Studios is a state-of-the-art multimedia performance studio conceived by Bob Weir. This event was a five-hour concert honoring Jerry Garcia. Led by Bob Weir, the show featured a rotating lineup of musicians like Donna Jean Godchaux-MacKay, Mike Gordon and Neal Casal. I was the house photographer at TRI and it was a privilege to be able to capture these events.
Stu Allen Somewhere over Marin County, Calif., 8/3/10
I’ve always wanted to fly. In 1997, I earned my private pilot certificate and, ever since then, I’ve loved getting up in the air with my friends, some of whom are musicians. My ride is a 1968 Piper Cherokee 180 that lives at Marin County Airport.
David Nelson, New Riders of the Purple Sage Sweetwater Music Hall, Mill Valley, Calif., 10/30/15
The first concert I photographed was the New Riders of the Purple Sage at New York City’s Academy of Music in 1974. Here, 41 years later, I continued to document this great band.
This article originally appeared in the January/February issue of Relix. For more features, interviews, album reviews and more, subscribe here.
