Peter Schlesinger's Photographic Memories

When the sculpturist and painter Peter Schlesinger took a photo of me wearing a silver metallic jump suit, hanging onto the light fittings at my house during the early Seventies, little did I suspect his impromptu snap would one day appear in one of his books.

Peter’s new photographic book, the long awaited sequel to his Checkered Past visual diary is titled Peter Schlesinger A Photographic Memory 1968-1989. It’s an appropriate title because all the nostalgic photos in Peter’s fascinating new book are of his old friends from the orbits of fashion, art, showbiz and society, preserved in their prime of youth.

Extraordinary private pictures of David Hockney, his muse Celia Birtwell, Paloma Picasso, Cecil Beaton and Amanda Lear are just some of the exquisite subjects whom Peter took impromptu snaps of with his natural gift for composition and originality.

Amanda Lear. Photo by Peter Schlesinger

Peter’s partner, the multi-talented Swedish photographer and writer Eric Boman features heavily in the book, which is just as well as he was regarded as being the most beautiful boy on the block.

Amanda Lear with Eric Boman. Photo by Peter Schlesinger

One of the cinema verity styled photos of him and Manolo Blahnik looking slightly anxious in the crowded Notting Hill Gate’s carnival made me laugh.

The photographs are all multi-dimensional works of art, which necessitates one viewing them again and again. Schlesinger’s photographs, which have a film still quality will never go stale.

Cecil Beaton and David Hockney. Photo by Peter Schlesinger

People who didn’t personally know Peter’s international group of friends including the likes of the artist R.B. Kitaj, Christopher Isherwood, Bryan Ferry and Andy Warhol should none the less appreciate this fascinating book.

Viewing Schlesinger's photographs is like being rewarded with an intimate glimpse into his carefree life during the late Twentieth century. For example, It’s hard to imagine now driving along a deserted Pacific Coast Highway in Santa Monica which Peter's snap captured.

Peter Schlesinger's sculptures

Peter Schlesinger, whose sculptures are incidentally totally original has produced an unique book which effortlessly records the joi de vivre of his glamorous and individual friends in a less congested world.

My Best Review Yet

I suppose I should be flattered. I see my novel Frantic has been pirated.

On one dodgy site, I was fascinated to wade through the mainly illiterate reviews. But one pirate going under the pseudonym of Avatar has given me my best review yet: “It's disgusting and painful to read, but impossible to stop.”

Avatar

Thank you Avatar, whoever you are. I wish that tablets belonging to pirate pigs are afflicted with irreversible viruses after their owners download material for free. Looking on the bright side, at least Frantic is being read. Grrrrr!

Caroline de Lone Fingerprints

It’s not often that a twenty-two year old ingenue has her debut CD produced by her dad. But my niece - singer-songwriter Caroline de Lone has. Her father Austin de Lone has just produced her first album titled Fingerprints.

Austin is a musician as well as a record producer and has been nurturing Caroline's all round musical talents since she was a baby. I know I'm the proud aunt, but Caroline has got the most gorgeous voice.

For Christmas, Caroline sent me a preview copy of Fingerprints, which I’ve been playing non-stop. I particularly love her stirring tracks Places, and Man UP which to my untrained ear are potential pop hit singles.

Caroline's band consists of a group of musical stalwarts including the veteran rockabilly guitarist Bill Kirchen, Eric McCann, Paul Revelli, Austin de Lone and nineteen year old musical prodigy Matt Jaffe, who plays Acoustic Guitar on Caroline’s CD.

Mat Jaffe

Caroline is unveiling her Fingerprints CD at the legendary Sweetwater Music Hall in Mill Valley on Wednesday February 11th. (Show starts at 8 p.m. Admission: $5). Fortunately for the over subscribed audience, Caroline is a riveting singer and performer and I can safely say she will do her CD more than justice. A star is born?!