
Bill Bernstein: Portraits from Disco Era (Studio 54), Paul McCartney Personal & Celebrity Photographer
06/01/23 • 51 min
A prolific celebrity photographer that has shot the likes of Paul McCartney, Studio 54, and the disco era joins the show!
Bill starts the show by explaining where his love of photography came from, the darkroom days, along with those that influenced him besides his father. How his career began in the 70’s at Village Voice, his first assignment that is an eye-opening moment, and the research he does prior to shooting anyone.
Studio 54: Was it really like everyone said it was and did you look forward to going there each time to get more pictures? 2001 Odyssey where the iconic Saturday Night Fever dance floor was. Bill tells what the clientele was there in addition to talking about the fascination of the disco era and if he enjoys that genre of music.
How did he become Paul McCartney’s personal photographer for 15 years, what it was like working with him in which he was given all-access to Paul everywhere! The secret to making A list celebrities look unguarded in his work and having the opportunity to speak in 2017 at the Library of Congress.
Bill has many books (see show notes) as we speak about Disco & The Last Dance. The difficulty of choosing which photographs to use and a story behind one of his portraits of three guys and one girl on a couch in Studio 54. Bill tells about his exhibits, his idea which is excellent for a possible future project. Keep your eyes open for this one!
We close with the bass thumping disco club-Paradise Garage!
Bill Bernstein Links:
Bill Bernstein Website: https://www.billbernstein.com/
Bill Bernstein Fine Art: https://www.billbernsteinfineart.com/
Buy the book- The Last Dance: https://www.billbernsteinfineart.com/warehouse-new-york-city-printers/standard_products/last-dance-photographs-by-bill-bernstein?product_gallery=131361&product_id=4177423
Seven Minerals: https://www.sevenminerals.com/
Before the Lights:
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Before the Lights Website: https://www.beforethelightspod.com/
Get Tommy a Glass of Vino: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/beforethelights
Please Rate & Review the show!
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Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
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Follow the show on Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beforethelightspodcast?lang=en
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Rate & Review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/before-the-lights/id1501245041
Email the host: [email protected]
A prolific celebrity photographer that has shot the likes of Paul McCartney, Studio 54, and the disco era joins the show!
Bill starts the show by explaining where his love of photography came from, the darkroom days, along with those that influenced him besides his father. How his career began in the 70’s at Village Voice, his first assignment that is an eye-opening moment, and the research he does prior to shooting anyone.
Studio 54: Was it really like everyone said it was and did you look forward to going there each time to get more pictures? 2001 Odyssey where the iconic Saturday Night Fever dance floor was. Bill tells what the clientele was there in addition to talking about the fascination of the disco era and if he enjoys that genre of music.
How did he become Paul McCartney’s personal photographer for 15 years, what it was like working with him in which he was given all-access to Paul everywhere! The secret to making A list celebrities look unguarded in his work and having the opportunity to speak in 2017 at the Library of Congress.
Bill has many books (see show notes) as we speak about Disco & The Last Dance. The difficulty of choosing which photographs to use and a story behind one of his portraits of three guys and one girl on a couch in Studio 54. Bill tells about his exhibits, his idea which is excellent for a possible future project. Keep your eyes open for this one!
We close with the bass thumping disco club-Paradise Garage!
Bill Bernstein Links:
Bill Bernstein Website: https://www.billbernstein.com/
Bill Bernstein Fine Art: https://www.billbernsteinfineart.com/
Buy the book- The Last Dance: https://www.billbernsteinfineart.com/warehouse-new-york-city-printers/standard_products/last-dance-photographs-by-bill-bernstein?product_gallery=131361&product_id=4177423
Seven Minerals: https://www.sevenminerals.com/
Before the Lights:
Hire Tommy to Speak: https://www.beforethelightspod.com/public-speaking
Become a BTL Member: https://www.beforethelightspod.com/support
Before the Lights Website: https://www.beforethelightspod.com/
Get Tommy a Glass of Vino: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/beforethelights
Please Rate & Review the show!
The BJ ShowSport Chat (The BJ Show) will cover all AFL games, quiz and more. Subscribe today.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Follow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beforethelightspodcast/
Follow the show on Face Book: https://www.facebook.com/beforethelightspodcast/
Follow the show on Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beforethelightspodcast?lang=en
Follow Tommy on Face Book: https://www.facebook.com/tcanale3
Rate & Review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/before-the-lights/id1501245041
Email the host: [email protected]
Previous Episode

Arthur Nascarella: Actor from The Sopranos, The Cooler, Billions, & Others/ NYPD
The man who has over 80 tv and film credits to his name. Films such as Cop Land, The Cooler, & Summer of Sam. His tv career consists of Billions & The Sopranos.
We begin this fun filled podcast that is full of wonderful stories of Arthur growing up in East Harlem, his days working undercover for the NYPD. This leads to him telling his personal stories looking for the Son of Sam (David Berkowitz), which is fascinating.
Being in the movie, The Cooler that was filmed in Reno, NV and being on set with Alec Baldwin and how wonderful Maria Bello is as an actress. How he plays organized crime roles so role and being casted for....THE SOPRANOS!
Working with James Gandolfini, his generosity, what he did for Arthur and his salary. Filming the last episode of The Sopranos and the story of the cast watching it in a theater in Florida. He tells about being part of Godfather of Harlem with Forrest Whittaker.
This great show ends with Arthur telling a very good story that will make you laugh about being an extra for the movie: Bronx Tale!
Arthur Nascarella Links:
IMDB Page: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0621597/
The Cooler: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0318374/
The Sopranos: https://www.hbo.com/the-sopranos
Seven Minerals: https://www.sevenminerals.com/
Before the Lights:
A Heartbeat & A Guitar: Johnny Cash & the Making of Bitter Tear Docuseries: https://www.beforethelightspod.com/docuseries/bitter-tears
Hire Tommy to Speak: https://www.beforethelightspod.com/public-speaking
Become a BTL Member: https://www.beforethelightspod.com/support
Before the Lights Website: https://www.beforethelightspod.com/
Get Tommy a Glass of Vino: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/beforethelights
The BJ ShowSport Chat (The BJ Show) will cover all AFL games, quiz and more. Subscribe today.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Follow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beforethelightspodcast/
Follow the show on Face Book: https://www.facebook.com/beforethelightspodcast/
Follow the show on Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beforethelightspodcast?lang=en
Follow Tommy on Face Book: https://www.facebook.com/tcanale3
Rate & Review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/before-the-lights/id1501245041
Email the host: [email protected]
Next Episode

Fun on Before the Lights
Guest clips from:
Jeff Barnes
Arthur Nascarella
Marni Spencer Devlin
Kortney Olson
Lila Downs
Andrew Freeman
Patrick Gallo
Mark Lyman
Dee Dee Sorvino
Dick Peterson
Follow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beforethelightspodcast/
Follow the show on Face Book: https://www.facebook.com/beforethelightspodcast/
Follow the show on Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beforethelightspodcast?lang=en
Follow Tommy on Face Book: https://www.facebook.com/tcanale3
Rate & Review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/before-the-lights/id1501245041
Email the host: [email protected]
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