March 12th, 1971
The two of us arrived at
Stan’s Art and Design just after noon on Friday. Yesterday, Cameron had
firmly reminded Dale and Willie to arrive on time but he wasn’t much
worried about punctuality when it came to Lee or Colin.
Dale arrived last, walking in about fifteen minutes after Cameron and I. The photographer, Myles, had previous experience with band photo shoots including working with Seven by Eight in the mid-sixties. He was eager to begin, so once everyone had arrived we all headed into the studio.
“Geoff mentioned the name of the album,” Myles began as he set up his camera. “He said you were going for a sort of ‘talented dunce’ look?”
Dale and Lee were already going through the boxes of movie props in the corner as Cameron replied. “You’ve got it.”
Myles chuckled but continued to set up. “Well, pick a prop and let’s begin.”
I took a seat against the wall and watched as props were chosen and exchanged between them. After a few minutes, they all stood in front of the white backdrop looking giddy as schoolboys and I had to keep myself from laughing.
Dale knelt on one knee, handing a surprised-looking Colin a bicycle wheel. Standing behind them were Lee and Cameron, both wearing top hats with distinct but equally amusing patterns. Willie stood between the two of them, holding up a license plate that read “stoned.”
I heard the camera shutter’s click, then let myself laugh. Cameron looked over at me with a wide smile, as Dale laughed and Willie’s expression changed from slightly amused to very unimpressed.
The shutter clicked once more, capturing the moment’s hilarity on film. “Alright, change props,” Myles instructed cheerfully.
The next hour was spent on photos accompanied by props, before more traditional band photos were taken. It seemed like the shoot would continue to go well, especially since everyone seemed to be getting along.
Once the session was complete, the six of us went to a nearby pub and shared a lighthearted meal to celebrate. Not only was the album complete and the reels already sent to the sound engineer for mastering, but with the cover photos taken, the band’s next order of business would be the tour.
We’d finished our plates and began ordering drinks when Cameron told the others that he and I would be leaving the pub shortly. “Before we leave, I do have some news to share,” Cameron informed the group.
Their faces betrayed their anticipation, and Lee urged Cameron to speak.
“The tour is being sorted out now, by Geoff and the various promoters,” he reminded us. “It should be about five months, and we’re starting in North America. There’s a promoter who’s contacted Geoff to arrange for us to play a festival.”
“A festival?” Willie repeated. “Where?”
“California. It’s in September,” Cameron replied. “Two nights.”
I smiled widely as I saw Cameron’s pride evident on his features. “That’s fantastic,” I said excitedly.
“Are we headlining?” Lee asked cautiously.
“Nearly,” Cameron smirked. “If all goes to plan, we’ll be the last performance before the main act on both nights.”
“Not bad.” Willie paused for a moment. “Celebratory shots, anyone?”
“Not so fast,” Cameron interjected. He waited for everyone’s eyes to be on him before continuing. “Those two nights will be turned into a live album.” His voice was triumphant and the feeling spread around the table instantly.
“Well then,” Colin spoke joyfully, “we definitely need shots!”
“Have them for us,” I told him with a cheeky grin. “We’ve got to run.”
During the short drive to the house, Cameron gave me more details about the festival. The California Rock Cannon International Music Festival was only in its second year, but had drawn a crowd of nearly two hundred thousand fans in its inaugural edition. A similar crowd was expected this year, and Amoeba would be the final opening band before each night’s headliner took the stage.
Once we arrived at the house, Cameron took my hand and led me to the sofa. “Sit,” he beckoned, though he remained standing. “Get comfortable.”
I did as he told me, and watched him walk away until he disappeared down the hallway. I crossed my legs and leaned back while waiting for him to return, which he did quickly.
“A tape?” I asked curiously, seeing the cassette in his hand.
“Not just any tape,” he answered mischievously. Cameron loaded the cassette into the stereo and pressed play before joining me on the sofa.
I only realized what was on the tape when I heard the first note. I chuckled and looked at Cameron in amusement. “I thought the reels were already sent out.”
Cameron shrugged, looking deceivingly innocent. “I’m a magician, what can I say?”
I kissed him, and settled into his embrace to listen to the album. If this truly was going to be the final product, I had no doubt of its success.
“I really am proud of you, Cameron,” I said softly. We’d finished listening to the album, and I was impressed by it.
He stood in front of the stereo, ejecting the tape. “What about? Not that I’m not appreciative,” he added shyly.
“About everything,” I told him as he took his place beside me. I pulled him into my arms and looked into his eyes. “You’ve been through a lot but you’re still accomplishing your dreams.”
“My dreams are in my arms, right now,” he answered softly. “And you’ve lived through a lot as well, Emily.”
“We’re talking about you right now,” I insisted, shushing him playfully. “Your band is on the cusp of wild success. You’re about to tour two continents,” I added. “You have a strong will and a good heart.”
Cameron’s eyes softened at my words and a sweet smile crossed his lips. “Your pride in me is all I need,” he whispered.
“I’m glad, sweetheart.” I kissed him softly. “But I’m not the only one who’s proud of you. Joan beams when you talk about music, and I know that your parents are proud, too.”
“Wherever they are,” he murmured in response.
“They’re right with you,” I stated. “Like Gran is with me.”
“She’d be proud of you, you know.”
I chuckled, though barely a sound escaped my lips. “Sometimes I wonder about that,” I admitted.
“You shouldn’t. Even never having met her, I know she loved you and your sister. She would be proud of you both.” Cameron pressed his lips to my forehead in a soft kiss. “Remember that.”
Dale arrived last, walking in about fifteen minutes after Cameron and I. The photographer, Myles, had previous experience with band photo shoots including working with Seven by Eight in the mid-sixties. He was eager to begin, so once everyone had arrived we all headed into the studio.
“Geoff mentioned the name of the album,” Myles began as he set up his camera. “He said you were going for a sort of ‘talented dunce’ look?”
Dale and Lee were already going through the boxes of movie props in the corner as Cameron replied. “You’ve got it.”
Myles chuckled but continued to set up. “Well, pick a prop and let’s begin.”
I took a seat against the wall and watched as props were chosen and exchanged between them. After a few minutes, they all stood in front of the white backdrop looking giddy as schoolboys and I had to keep myself from laughing.
Dale knelt on one knee, handing a surprised-looking Colin a bicycle wheel. Standing behind them were Lee and Cameron, both wearing top hats with distinct but equally amusing patterns. Willie stood between the two of them, holding up a license plate that read “stoned.”
I heard the camera shutter’s click, then let myself laugh. Cameron looked over at me with a wide smile, as Dale laughed and Willie’s expression changed from slightly amused to very unimpressed.
The shutter clicked once more, capturing the moment’s hilarity on film. “Alright, change props,” Myles instructed cheerfully.
The next hour was spent on photos accompanied by props, before more traditional band photos were taken. It seemed like the shoot would continue to go well, especially since everyone seemed to be getting along.
Once the session was complete, the six of us went to a nearby pub and shared a lighthearted meal to celebrate. Not only was the album complete and the reels already sent to the sound engineer for mastering, but with the cover photos taken, the band’s next order of business would be the tour.
We’d finished our plates and began ordering drinks when Cameron told the others that he and I would be leaving the pub shortly. “Before we leave, I do have some news to share,” Cameron informed the group.
Their faces betrayed their anticipation, and Lee urged Cameron to speak.
“The tour is being sorted out now, by Geoff and the various promoters,” he reminded us. “It should be about five months, and we’re starting in North America. There’s a promoter who’s contacted Geoff to arrange for us to play a festival.”
“A festival?” Willie repeated. “Where?”
“California. It’s in September,” Cameron replied. “Two nights.”
I smiled widely as I saw Cameron’s pride evident on his features. “That’s fantastic,” I said excitedly.
“Are we headlining?” Lee asked cautiously.
“Nearly,” Cameron smirked. “If all goes to plan, we’ll be the last performance before the main act on both nights.”
“Not bad.” Willie paused for a moment. “Celebratory shots, anyone?”
“Not so fast,” Cameron interjected. He waited for everyone’s eyes to be on him before continuing. “Those two nights will be turned into a live album.” His voice was triumphant and the feeling spread around the table instantly.
“Well then,” Colin spoke joyfully, “we definitely need shots!”
“Have them for us,” I told him with a cheeky grin. “We’ve got to run.”
During the short drive to the house, Cameron gave me more details about the festival. The California Rock Cannon International Music Festival was only in its second year, but had drawn a crowd of nearly two hundred thousand fans in its inaugural edition. A similar crowd was expected this year, and Amoeba would be the final opening band before each night’s headliner took the stage.
Once we arrived at the house, Cameron took my hand and led me to the sofa. “Sit,” he beckoned, though he remained standing. “Get comfortable.”
I did as he told me, and watched him walk away until he disappeared down the hallway. I crossed my legs and leaned back while waiting for him to return, which he did quickly.
“A tape?” I asked curiously, seeing the cassette in his hand.
“Not just any tape,” he answered mischievously. Cameron loaded the cassette into the stereo and pressed play before joining me on the sofa.
I only realized what was on the tape when I heard the first note. I chuckled and looked at Cameron in amusement. “I thought the reels were already sent out.”
Cameron shrugged, looking deceivingly innocent. “I’m a magician, what can I say?”
I kissed him, and settled into his embrace to listen to the album. If this truly was going to be the final product, I had no doubt of its success.
“I really am proud of you, Cameron,” I said softly. We’d finished listening to the album, and I was impressed by it.
He stood in front of the stereo, ejecting the tape. “What about? Not that I’m not appreciative,” he added shyly.
“About everything,” I told him as he took his place beside me. I pulled him into my arms and looked into his eyes. “You’ve been through a lot but you’re still accomplishing your dreams.”
“My dreams are in my arms, right now,” he answered softly. “And you’ve lived through a lot as well, Emily.”
“We’re talking about you right now,” I insisted, shushing him playfully. “Your band is on the cusp of wild success. You’re about to tour two continents,” I added. “You have a strong will and a good heart.”
Cameron’s eyes softened at my words and a sweet smile crossed his lips. “Your pride in me is all I need,” he whispered.
“I’m glad, sweetheart.” I kissed him softly. “But I’m not the only one who’s proud of you. Joan beams when you talk about music, and I know that your parents are proud, too.”
“Wherever they are,” he murmured in response.
“They’re right with you,” I stated. “Like Gran is with me.”
“She’d be proud of you, you know.”
I chuckled, though barely a sound escaped my lips. “Sometimes I wonder about that,” I admitted.
“You shouldn’t. Even never having met her, I know she loved you and your sister. She would be proud of you both.” Cameron pressed his lips to my forehead in a soft kiss. “Remember that.”
Awwwwww! Such a sweet chapter
ReplyDelete