Baron Wolman
Baron Wolman is an American photographer best known for his work in the late 1960s for the music magazine Rolling Stone, becoming the magazine's first Chief Photographer from 1967 until late 1970. Wolman's iconic portraits for theRolling Stone are immortalized in popular memory, photographing iconic musicians that include Janis Joplin, the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendriz, Joan Baez, Pink Floyd, Bob Dylan, the Grateful Dead and Ike & Tina Turner. Wolman's extraordinary career varies from starting his own countercultural fashion magazine Rags in the 1970s, to learning how to fly and making aerial landscapes of the Californian coastline.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Surrounded by beauty in all its many expressions, external and internal
Which living person do you most admire?
The Dalai Lama
What are your greatest extravagances?
The New Yorker, Single Malt Scotch and flying international business class
What is your current state of mind?
Confused: thanks to the mess that humans are making of the planet; there seems to be no way out...
What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
Great financial wealth.
Which words or phrases can you not use often enough?
I love you!
Which talent would you most like to have?
Any musical skills – taking pictures of musicians is one thing, playing an instrument well is quite another
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
My height!
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
“Following my bliss”
Where would you most like to live?
All things considered – and there are many to consider – right here in Santa Fe
What is your most treasured possession?
I can easily do without things - my friends are my most treasured possessions...and I love my Leica
What is your favorite occupation?
Doing what I do every day, from coffee in the morning, to hanging with friends, to photography in all its glorious manifestations
What is your most marked characteristic?
Have ears, will listen...
What do you most value in your friends?
Authenticity, honesty and constancy.
Who are your favorite writers?
Aldous Huxley, for Brave New World – so prescient!
Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen for their song lyrics
Which historical figure do you most identify with?
The many photographers who have inspired me.
Who are your heroes in real life?
Anyone who takes a risk. A life without risk is no life at all...
What is it that you most dislike?
Vapid party talk – I always have an exit strategy when the conversations become simply “noise.”
What is your greatest regret?
No regrets – I did it my way...
What is your motto?
Just say “Yes!” If the yes isn’t right you can always say no afterwards. But if yes is right, you’ve grabbed the golden ring on the carousel...