30 Comments
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Phillip Noonan's avatar

Well deserved John and good to learn a little more about you. If it's any consolation, Joni Mitchell passed on going to Woodstock for a TV appearance I believe. She was already in NY with a helicopter waiting so your reasons for not going stack up pretty well.

She still wrote the definitive song of the festival but CSNY version has the authenticity of the experience. No one knew what a major event in music history it would become.

I remember reading about it in Circus magazine which we got on a three month delay if at all. Still remember some of the captions under photos like "Santana screeched like a raven while Alvin Lee screamed like a stallion". The movie was a knockout as I saw it with an American exchange student from Oklahoma who'd actually seen some of the acts live.

Love your work because it triggers memories like that and others.

Jon  Pinter's avatar

Thanks as always for your kind words and good story.

Mark Farley’s wandering’s's avatar

Congrats Jon, I noticed the tag, thank you for thinking of me…..

A Fascinating read. Interestingly, I have listened to Los Lobos since the mid 1980’s, and still own several CDs. They must have been on a BBC TV music show??! 🙏

Michael Guenon's avatar

Congrats, Jon! I remember Los Lobos coming to San Diego in the Eighties (I was too involved with grad school at SDSU and work to attend. Later saw them at Shoreline—still have an album.). Miss your photography (took a break from Substack). Well done.

Jon  Pinter's avatar

Glad to hear that you are back. Photography keeps coming😎

Thank you

Kat Rigel's avatar

I absolutely loved reading this!

Congratulations!

The recognition is more than well deserved, my friend.

I could thump you for tagging me because now I am overwhelmed 🙈🤭😂

Jon  Pinter's avatar

you deserve the recognition

Clarion X's avatar

Huge congrats, Jon! Couldn’t be more deserved. I’m really touched to be mentioned in your recommendations. Thank you!

Jon  Pinter's avatar

You deserve recognition

Howard Salmon's avatar

Jon, this was a pleasure to read. You bring the same clarity here that you do in your photography and storytelling—nothing inflated, nothing contrived, just honest memories that explain the person behind the work. The image of that Zenith radio says more about how music shapes a life than any one of my long essay could. You weren’t just listening; you were discovering a bigger world from the middle of a field.

Your nominees speak volumes too. You’re not chasing attention, you’re pointing to people whose voices matter. That’s the best spirit of these awards, and I’m glad to see you here. Looking forward to more of your stories—camera in hand, radio still carrying signals from far away.

Jon  Pinter's avatar

Thanks very much

NickS (WA)'s avatar

That's lovely, thank you.

I completely agree about Los Lobos (I picked some favorite performances for this short post: https://earnestnessisunderrated.substack.com/p/will-the-wolf-survive ) and the wishes in your final answer.

Tamara Casey's avatar

So glad you decided to join in! Love it.

Jon  Pinter's avatar

Thanks for sending me on this trip

Tamara Casey's avatar

My pleasure

Suzano's avatar

I'm speechless! And they are all right! You're outstanding!

Suzano's avatar

Are you blushing a little bit? 😊

Sandra Blair's avatar

Congratulations Jon! Well deserved! And I'm very honored to be mentioned in your list of recommendations! Thank you.

Jon  Pinter's avatar

You deserve the recognition.

Jo-Ann Petrarca's avatar

Congrats Jon

Christopher Van Name's avatar

Congrats, Jon!

Jon  Pinter's avatar

Thanks Christopher!!

Kathy Romy's avatar

Congrats!😄

Chris Bro's avatar

Loved this. Thank you for sharing.

Christopher Van Name's avatar

Congrats, Jon!

KewtieBird’s Photo Journey's avatar

Congrats!!!