June 23, 2004 – London – MOJO Magazine held the first annual “MOJO Honours List Awards” ceremony in London. It was attended by an incredible group of winners, including Mick Jones for the Clash; Jimmy Page for Led Zeppelin; Noel Gallagher for Oasis; Ray Davies; James Brown (the “Godfather of Soul”); Sting; Morrissey; Television; Red Hot Chili Peppers; Roger McGuinn; Alvin Lee and me!
I felt quite proud to receive the award for “Classic Images” for my years of Rock and Roll photography. In my acceptance speech I said, “This is a big surprise and a real pleasure. I’ve been to many music business awards ceremonies and I’ve never seen a photographer get an award. I want to thank first my mother, not only for creating me but also for teaching me photography when I was only 4 years old, and she even printed the first photos I sold when I was 11. I thank my agent Virginia Lohle who keeps me in touch with MOJO and all the other magazines around the world. Thanks to the people who kept me organized all these years, particularly Karla Merrifield and Linda Rowe. And my wife Elizabeth who inspires me every day , and my son Kris who is a paying subscriber of MOJO (I hope he voted for me). And I couldn’t have done what I did without the great people I worked with, starting with Ike and Tina Turner; Yoko Ono and John Lennon; David Johansen and The New York Dolls; The Clash, especially Joe Strummer who encouraged me to always see something unique and beautiful in everything I look at. And I know if John Lennon were here today he wouldn’t pass up the opportunity to say, ‘War is over if you want it, so please give peace a chance!’ Thank you very much.”
