Robert Fripp has been talking to various magazines in recent weeks including Uncut and Mojo. . .
Click here to read interview teaser
Photographer Kevin Westenberg has been writing on his Facebook page about doing the photoshoot for the Mojo feature...
ROBERT FRIPP. SHOT for MOJO MAGAZINE. March 17, 2022. Photo: ©Kevin Westenberg. Mister Fripp in 3 parts; Part 1. It’s impossible to know in advance how each shoot is going to work. Even after 40 years of doing this job, there’s still no indication. It’s random. Many times I’ve prepped the biggest jobs down to every fine detail and it’s still a fuck up. Random. The inverse is also true. There’s rarely any way to guarantee any of it. Lately, the rarity of my doing actual new shooting, has helped increase the odds of success primarily due to not being so exhausted like in the bad ‘ol days of continuous travel, stress, hangovers, bad love and jet lag, Each situation is fresh now. Hurrah! Well, this new experience with Robert Fripp from the start was bliss all around. My assigned shoot with one of my heroes Mister Fripp of King Crimson and many great projects and other collaborations, which even my granny knows. Back in my David Sylvian days I was asked to work with David on many occasions for various projects but none was as rewarding overall than the months of working with David, Robert and Trey Gunn for ‘The First Day’ album. Seems like yesterday given the importance in my memory but this was 1992 when I first worked with Robert Fripp. Given how long it’s been, I figured that’s the end of it. Fortuitously, Mojo just assigned me a shoot with Robert for their ‘The Mojo Interview’ section. A monthly in depth stable which I’ve always enjoyed shooting. Previous shoots for this section include Scott Walker and Bobby Gillespie. The turning point for me came quite surprisingly in the form of one day stumbling upon a video of Robert and Toyah Wilcox noodling about in what looks like a kitchen doing various wacky interpretations of known (and some unknown) songs which involve various forms of wackiness, boobs and unicorns. It COMPLETELY changed my set perception of who Robert Fripp was. ALL of my previous encounters with the man shooting ‘The First Day’, King Crimson at Real World Studios and other various projects before and after the Sylvian stuff all were quite dry by comparison. More in part 2.
ROBERT FRIPP. SHOT for MOJO MAGAZINE. March 17, 2022. Photo: ©Kevin Westenberg. Mister Fripp in 3 parts; Part 2. Technically my job should be classified as “work” but in fact at this point in 2022, I’ve learned to stop worrying and love the job and process. All new shooting these days can now be classified as “fun”. Bollocks aside, this one was a superb experience all around. Once MOJO rang to ask if I had interest in the shoot, instantly, an involuntary smile appeared on my face. I couldn’t wait for the chance. The source of the smile? Those beautiful crazy videos Robert is now doing with his wife Toyah Wilcox. What a brilliant transition of his image. The mind was spinning with the potential. What followed were negotiation, organization, transport and lighting duties. A date was agreed and the stage was set. We had a perfect drive 3 hours to arrive at Robert’s place as scheduled. Once there, the man could not have been more accommodating and fun from the start. I got the full tour of his estate, which in essence should be an English heritage cultural site for the ages. All was perfection so far and now time to set up. Chose a space and get lights ready for what is the main shot, In this case, the close up for the main page opener. Now out on the shelves, Scroll back to view. I also needed context shots and gazing around the house, saw the 3 Unicorns sitting there on the floor downstairs. Gold! I instantly figured Robert would in no way agree to be shot, especially for MOJO with one of them. I couldn’t resist channeling the spirit of all his recent videos with Toyah by creating this scenario, which my younger self would not dare to suggest to one of the worlds greatest guitarist academics. Epilogue: This one didn’t make the cut sadly. More in part 3.
