“After shooting the Live Aid concert without a pass from the audience, I knew that to get exclusive pictures, you are simply better off not having a photo pass. You need to become invisible; then you can do what you want without people telling you what to do - so I made a decision to never have a pass and spent around 10 years getting into parties and concerts.
In November 1985, the fashion world had an event called Fashion Aid to raise money for the starving in Africa at The Albert Hall in London. To get different pictures, I knew I had to get into the dressing rooms which are underground. The Albert Hall is one of those places that's hard to get into without a press pass; however, just maybe I could find a way to get in.
Looking back, it’s funny how much energy we had in our twenties. I remember it was a Wednesday night and I was sitting at home on the sofa - you know, chilling out - it was around 9 PM, and could I be bothered to drive up to London and try to infiltrate a way to get into The Albert Hall? But I have this bloody painful little Gremlin that lives inside me that says to me, “Hey, don’t be so bloody lazy! You just may be able to get another world exclusive picture.”
I guess what drives me is the buzz and the adrenaline of the drive to London and the planning of trying to bypass the security. Trying to get pictures you're not allowed to take is a little like robbing a bank.
It was now 10:30 PM, and I slung on a trendy suit and dragged myself into the car, drove up to London, and found the staff entrance with three security guys checking staff passes.
A good trick is to have a clipboard full of paper and photographs of artists on the top layer. I have made these contact sheets with photographs of artists on them, and I cross them out with felt pens. I would stand by the security chatting on my mobile as if I am "someone." I then stand at the doorway and drop the clipboard so pictures fall everywhere, and the security often helps pick them up and goes "wow" at the pictures, and I say, "Hey, keep a couple."
Remember, there are a lot of people floating around, so you just have to act stressed on the phone, talking about an artist downstairs driving you mad, and make sure the security is listening. Then you kind of walk in - I think the trendy suit makes a difference.
Inside, I found Freddie's dressing room, knocked on the door, and a cool guy opened the door. Freddie stood up, and I just said, "Hey Freddie, I just wanted to thank you for giving the world such pleasure since Live Aid. You are such an incredible human." I then shot a few other stars together and bumped into Boy George. I asked if there was a way I could drag him to hug and kiss Freddie for a picture. George said, "Well, you charmer, let's go." And five minutes later, I captured this exclusive picture.”