Interview with Burton Wilson, May 23, 2005 - transcript

Rosebud Kuntz interviews Burton Wilson.
Tape 1 Side A: Burton shares about his early life and how he got to Texas. He talks about his time in the military during World War 2 and an injury he sustained. He talks about moving to Austin and studying photography at the University of Texas. He shares how he started getting his photos to be noticed by explaining his trip to San Francisco and photographing the hippies on Haight Street in the 60s.
Side B: He talks about his time photographing musicians at the Vulcan Gas Company nightclub, which had psychedelic light shows and concerts. He briefly mentions Russell Lee's influence. He explains what camera he used in the 60s and 70s, and talks about the film and lenses. He briefly discusses the social change the hippies started in the 60s and 70s. He talks about how Texas music stands out. He shares the stories about photographing famous musicians such as Bruce Springsteen, Big Joe Williams, and Frank Zappa.

Tape 2 Side A: He shares his story about photographing Willie Nelson and then later about Johnny Winter. He mentions his work being at the Center for American History. The interview ends with the interviewers and Burton engaging in a casual conversation.