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On Stage With A Legend

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It was Friday 13th, I’m expecting it to be a good day (for personal reasons). I’m meeting with the Director of Hanover Associates reference images for their website. All is going well when I receive a phone call from the Fire Brigades Union Regional Official Paul Embery. He asked if I could do a days work with the Union after the General Secretary Matt Wrack mentioned my name regarding photography (I was pleasantly surprised if I’m honest). I confirm that I am available and Paul informs me that I will receive a phone call from Matt later that day to confirm everything. So the day is getting better. I later get the call from Matt and he starts to tell me what the job will entail. He informs me that we will be meeting at the Cumberland Hotel in Marble Arch at 11:30 to meet with a musician by the name of Tom Morello. Now I’m thinking to myself, I know that name, but I couldn’t place it.

Matt then says that we will be meeting with a group of Essex Firefighters, as they are currently involved in an ongoing dispute with the management of the Essex County Fire & Rescue Service. Then we will be heading over to Hyde Park to appear on stage with Tom Morello during his set at the Hard Rock Calling Festival! I’m then told that Mr. Morello is a huge supporter of unions and writes and sings politically motivated songs, things are slowly falling in to place! I then realise that Tom Morello is the former guitarist for none other than American rock band, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE! A band I have always been a fan of ever since I was at school. I’m very pleased Matt mentioned my name now! We end the phone call and I look forward to the morning!

I meet Matt at 11:20 and we make our way to the hotel. After a short while we eventually meet with Tom! I couldn’t believe I was shanking the hand of, as far as I’m concerned, a legend! He is also rated as the 26th best guitarist in the world!

I grab a shot of the moment Matt Wrack and two Essex officials from the FBU present Tom with a mounted Firefighters axe.

FBUGeneral Secretary Matt Wrack and two Essex FBU Members present Tom Morello with a mounted Firefighters axe. Tom Morello is the former guitarist for the American rock band Rage Against The Machine. Hyde Park, London ©Lee Massey 2012 – All Rights Reserved

We eventually meet with the remaining Firefighters from Essex and we make our way to Hyde Park. We have a bit of time so we stop for a drink at a pub on Park Lane where we grab a group shot of the guys.

Essex FBU members and officials stand outside a pub near Hyde Park for a photo opportunity. FBU members in Essex are in dispute with their employer over cuts to the Service, the imposition of change without agreement and the failure to apply national procedures for dealing with disagreements. ©Lee Massey 2012 – All Rights Reserved

The time comes for us to head to the gate where we are due to meet someone to get us entry in to the back stage area. After a little bit of shuffling about going from gate to gate, we are  eventually guided to the back of the main stage and then ushered on to the side of the stage where Tom is performing. After a few more songs Tom is finally at the last song of his set. He then mentions to the crowed that he has some guests and then introduces the firefighters on stage. We head out on stage and do something that I think I can safely say, will never do again!

Here are a few images from the time we were on stage with none other than Tom Morello!!!

For the full set of images click HERE

(All images are © 2012 Lee Massey – All Rights Reserved)