Dad Rock: Photographer has an eye for The Who
To say that William Snyder is a serious photojournalist is something of an understatement. The four-time Pulitzer Prize-winner has covered subjects ranging from AIDS orphans in Romania to riots in Miami to a coup attempt in the Soviet Union.
That's all very nice, but what really gets this decorated photographer talking is when the topic turns to his rock 'n' roll experiences.
A longtime fan of The Who, Snyder photographed Pete Townshend in 1993, when the songwriter and guitarist was overseeing the Broadway production of his rock opera Tommy. That led to a long relationship in which Snyder has toured with The Who and gained extensive access to the band, on stage and off.
Snyder, now chair of the photojournalism program at his alma mater, the Rochester Institute of Technology, visited Paste BN's Dad Rock podcast and talked with hosts Patrick Foster and Jim Lenahan about the time he has spent with The Who. The conversation includes how he became friends with Townshend and got invited to get on the plane, how he captures the band's energy in still images, and how he once tried to help hard-partying bassist John Entwistle before his death.
Of Townshend, Snyder says, "If you're anything of a fan and you've read interviews with Pete and you've heard any stories about Pete, there really isn't that much difference in real life. He's a very sweet man (and) smart as a whip; I mean the guy is brilliant."
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