Joseph Carlucci is a renowned music photographer with almost 50 years of experience in the field. Born in Italy, Joseph has lived in Switzerland for much of his life and it is here where he has had the opportunity to photograph a huge portfolio of musicians at leading festivals, concert halls and small venues across the country. We reached out to Joseph recently after seeing some of his photographs of Rory at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1985. Joseph responded enthusiastically to our email and was extremely accommodating, answering all our questions and sharing some previously unpublished photographs of Rory with us. Below is the full transcript of our short interview [originally in French and translated by Lauren] and some of these wonderful photographs. As Rory would say, we hope you like it 😊

1. Can you give us a general overview of your career in the music industry/music photography?

The first concert I went to was on 20 August 1974 in Bern. I saw Uriah Heep, Tempest, Soft Machine, Island and Kartago if I’m not mistaken. And in hindsight, I think I found my calling that day because in that very room there were posters advertising the next concert on 28 September: Deep Purple and Sensational Alex Harvey Band. The Deep Purple concert really had an impact on me, but the Sensational Alex Harvey Band completely enchanted me… and it was after this concert that I decided to buy myself a KodakChrome and show my friends who don’t come with me just what they were missing… I haven’t stopped going to concerts and taking photos since.

2. Were you a fan of Rory’s music before photographing him?

Yes. I saw Rory Gallagher for the first time at the Montreux Jazz Festival on 11 July 1975 with Etta James and Louisiana Red. Unfortunately, I have no photos of the 1975 concert, apart from my own huge visual and musical memories.

3. Can you tell us a bit more about photographing Rory?

I photographed Rory at the Nyon Folk Festival in 1983 (today the Paléo Festival), the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1985 and the Gampel Festival in 1993. I include some photos for you.

Rory at the Nyon Folk Festival, 1983 Photograph by Joseph Carlucci

Rory at the Montreux Jazz Festival, 1985 Photograph by Joseph Carlucci

Rory at Gampel Festival, 1993 Photograph by Joseph Carlucci

4. Did you ever meet Rory?

Unfortunately, I never got to meet him.

5. Apart from Rory, what other artists have you photographed?

I think the list is too long to mention everyone… I have continued to regularly photograph concerts and festivals since 1980.

6. In your opinion, what is the highlight of your career?

I hope it’s not over yet, but I released a “beautiful” 279-page book about my 45 years of taking concert photos on 11 October 2021. The one-year anniversary will be in a few days’ time.

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To find out more about Joseph’s photography and his book, please visit his website. You can also follow him on Facebook and Instagram