History and legends are subjects that are very close to my heart. I had the joy of interviewing Jeffrey Morgan, Rock Critic and photographer extraordinaire and very much found a mentor and a friend and may I add, one who made me laugh along the way. With a wit that whistles and a charm tingles, he looks for substance, staying power and blood-curdling excitement!

Jeffrey, you have written authorized biographies of two of the most influential people in music today and have established yourself as one of rock's reigning writers. What was it like for you to write the authorized biographies of both Alice Cooper and Iggy Pop & The Stooges?

In both instances it was a blessing to have such an opportunity. The Alice biography took seven years to write and it was a collaboration between myself and Alice's late personal assistant, Brian "Renfield" Nelson. The Stooges biography took considerably less time and was a collaboration between myself and photographer extraordinaire Robert Matheu.

You are also a photographer and your work is spread all across the board with Lou Reed, David Bowie, Debbie Harry, Pete Townshend, Sir Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Patti Smith, plus many more. Are there any of these that you'd like to talk about the experience in photographing?

Back in the mid '70s, when most of my photographs were taken, I was fortunate enough to have a reserved front row seat at Maple Leaf Gardens here in Toronto at a time when every major rock act came to town. I took my camera to every show—this was back in the days when you could walk into an arena with a camera bag full of equipment—and I watched every concert entirely through the camera lens. I used a Pentax SLR with a 135 telephoto lens and usually shot several rolls of black and white film and up to half a dozen rolls of color slide film. What started out merely as a way of my being able to have a souvenir of each show has now, with the passage of time, turned into a valuable historical archive of hundreds of previously unpublished photographs. Perhaps one day someone will want to publish them in a book.

What kind of mood and/or energy did you look for when doing these kinds of photos?

I always looked for a contemplative moment during which there was no action. My goal was to take live shots which looked like studio portraits. I wanted to photograph, to quote my long time friend and collaborator Dean Motter, the space between the notes.

You also have written a graphic novel that has an intriguing title, called The Brides of Mister X. Would you like to tell us a little about it?

Mister X is the influential comic book creation of the above-noted Mr. Motter, whom I've known since 1975. In the early '80s, Dean wrote the first dozen issues of the comic after which I took over for another dozen issues. They were originally meant to be read as one long novel-length story, which is why I'm grateful that Dark Horse Comics recently reprinted all twelve of my issues in a deluxe hardcover edition. More recently, Dean has taken over the series again both as writer and artist and has admirably updated it for a new century of readers.

For ten years Jeffrey Morgan's Media Blackout is your award-winning column, which you publish every Sunday on your website. What is the best part of writing this and what's the best feedback you received?

The best part of writing it? Hopefully being able to help independent artists promote their music to a larger audience. The best feedback? Being #1 out of fifty million websites when you type my name into Google's search engine.

In 1974, you were made the de facto Canadian Editor of CREEM: America's Only Rock 'n' Roll Magazine. What was this experience like and how did it shape your career as a writer?

I wouldn't have a writing career had Lester Bangs not invited me to write for CREEM back in 1974. In fact, had it not been for Lester's selfless intervention to a 20 year old Canadian who lived in another country, I would never have written anything. I never wanted to be a writer and I never thought about being a writer. But Lester Bangs thought I had potential based on a few letters I had printed in CREEM and I've spent the past 40 years trying to live up to his initial assessment.

How do you feel the digital media industry has changed the way we view and do journalism in music? What is the best you've seen it do? The worst?

I'm a rock critic. I wouldn't know music journalism if it walked in wearing a sign.

What would you still want to see more of in the world of music and/or journalism today?

Less music journalism. More rock criticism.

What do you enjoy most about the digital age so far?

That I haven't had to buy a new typewriter ribbon since 1993.

Who has been your influence to become the writer of music you are today?

Thanks to God, any writing ability that I might have was inherited from my father, Joe Morgan, who was a sports and news writer and broadcaster in New York and Toronto.

What current project you are working on?

I just finished assembling a 50,000 word compilation of my collected rock 'n' roll writings covering the past 40 years. I've also written a 100,00 word crime novel. Both books are currently looking for a publisher.

What do you want to say to our readers for Punk Globe?

I'd like to thank them for taking the time to read this interview and I'd like to thank you for asking such astute questions!

Thank you so very much for a great interview! I truly look forward to seeing you and your work prosper. Truly, you have a gift that keeps evolving... Here is a link to find out more about Jeffrey Morgan: Http://jeffreymorgan.info