In 1968, Michael Zagaris was a young law student and Bobby Kennedy campaign staffer who witnessed the Senator’s assassination. That horrific event set him on a path to personal fulfillment that, after a hashish-fueled conversation with famed rock guitarist Eric Clapton, propelled him into an unforeseen profession: He became one of the great rock n’ roll--and sports--photographers of alltime. In Part 1 of this captivating conversation, the longtime 49ers and A’s photographer retraces the pivotal moments of his journey, from the fateful night of RFK’s murder after winning the California primary to the Northern California Folk Rock Festival at which Doors frontman Jim Morrison drunkenly vomited over his shoulder.
For a few blissful moments shortly after midnight on June 5, 1968, young campaign staffer Michael Zagaris believed Bobby Kennedy would become President. The Senator had just won the California primary, but moments after his victory speech at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, he was assassinated--as Zagaris and others looked on in horror. In Part 1 of our wide-ranging look at his legendary career, Zagaris recounts RFK’s shooting and the impact it had on his psyche and aspirations. Ultimately, advice from guitar god Eric Clapton--after the two had shared several bowls of hashish in a Sausalito hotel room--would compel Zagaris to become a photographer, one who would make a massive impact in the rock n’ roll and sports worlds. We learn about his Baptism By Vomit (courtesy of drunken Doors frontman Jim Morrison) and much, much more.