Exclusive Interview With Mark Weiss: What It’s Like To Be a Rock ‘n Roll Photographer

Invitation for the Rock Paper Photo "The Decade That Rocked" photo exhibition by rock 'n roll photographer Mark "WEISSGUY" Weiss, curated by Phil Collen of Def Leppard.

The Decade That Rocked.

Do you ever wonder what it’s like to be behind the scenes photographing some of rock ‘n roll’s greatest legends? I know that I certainly find it fascinating.

Bon Jovi. Twisted Sister. Def Leppard. Ozzy Osbourne. Christina Aguilera. Sebastion Bach. Gwen Stefani. Gene Simmons. Bret Michaels. Joan Jett. And even One Direction. A who’s who in music, that’s who.

My friend since my early stylist days, Mark “WEISSGUY” Weiss, the ICONIC rock ‘roll photographer that has been photographing his friends who just happen to be some of the biggest names in metal, rock, and pop since he was a determined teenager.

>>MORE: Music Posts

I had my son, a determined filmmaker, shoot this interview when Mark was getting ready to install “The Decade That Rocked,”  his photo exhibition presented by Rock Paper Photo and curated by Phil Collen of Def Leppard that shows Mark’s photos that rocked the ages.

I even asked Mark about all that in hair in the hair bands… wigs, spray-ons, extensions, or was it real?  I am obsessed…

As the Decade That Rocked exhibition tells the story through some of Mark’s photos of the 80’s fight to censor rock ‘n roll, the movie, Rock of Ages, covers its version of the Parents Music Resource Center (PRMC). Rock n’ roll photographer Mark Weiss went with his friend and family man Dee Snider of Twisted Sister to the PRMC hearings in Washington D.C. back in the day. In this outtake from our interview, Mark talks about what it was like for him and the rockers at the time. And, what about being really “out there?” Mark also talks about what it’s like to have an outrageous rock persona for THE SHOW.

In Rock of Ages, Tom Cruise covers “Wanted Dead or Alive,”  the 1986 Bon Jovi song from their Slippery When Wet album that Mark shot the cover of, original photo at the top.

We all need a little rock star attitude in our daily world– here Mark and I  are putting on our  rocker snarls at his opening. He’s a pretty cool dude, eh? Rock on….

More from Mark Weiss:

Photos: Mark Weiss

Sharon is wearing a Helmut Lang vest, Uniqlo T-shirt, Emporio Armani jewelry, Urban Outfitters jeans, Maison Martin Margiela boots in the video; VPL jacket, Jil Sander T-shirt, Emporio Armani necklace in the photos..her own, of course,

Scroll to Top