E-mail a friendBill Jones
airdate November 25, 2004
Some refer to Bill Jones as the 'granddaddy of press photographers.' Though freelance, he's most linked to memorable images in Jet and Ebony magazines and is one of the most published black photographers. Unlike the 'paparazzi,' Jones cultivates relationships with prominent people. In '97, he was beaten into a coma outside his L.A. home. Amazingly, he recovered and taught himself to operate his beloved camera with his left hand. Hollywood In Black 40 Years of Photography includes some of Jones' classic shots.
Bill Jones
Tavis: Bill Jones is a beloved and talented photographer in Hollywood beginning his career, taking pictures for "Jet" and "Ebony" magazines. His most memorable photos are now available in a new book called 'Hollywood in Black: 40 Years of Photography by Bill Jones.' A documentary on his life is also forthcoming. Bill Jones, happy Thanksgiving.
Bill Jones: Same to you.
Tavis: Nice to see you, man.
Jones: It's good to be seen, too.
Tavis: Say that again.
Jones: It's good to be seen.
Tavis: And when you say that, you ain't joking. It really is good to be seen. I wanted to have you on the program tonight not just to talk about this book because that's significant, but I don't know anybody in this city who has more to be thankful for than you do. You're a great photographer. Matter of fact, we joke, those of us who have the chance to be on the end of Bill's lens--actually, I'm turning the tables on you tonight, ain't I?
Jones: Yes.
Tavis: Yeah, you're on the other side of my lens for a change. But whenever there's a horde of photographers taking pictures of personalities in this town, the black ones, certainly, just look in Bill's direction. 'Cause if you want to be in Ebony or Jet, just look at Bill. The other photographers, just wave at 'em. But Bill's the shot you really want to get in if you want to get in Ebony or Jet.
Having said that, though, you have a great deal to be thankful for because it is a miracle that you can still take photographs. You were attacked some years ago in your driveway and beaten almost to death by a neighbor of yours who was wielding a baseball bat. You were in a coma for many weeks after that. I know you don't recall much about the incident. But what do you remember about that day?
Jones: That day I just remember outside washing my car... And all of a sudden this guy came up with a baseball bat. And that's the last I remember of that incident. I just remember from that point that I was in the hospital for about 2 1/2 months and...
Tavis: In a coma, mostly.
Jones: In a coma. And my wife... Riva Jones, her and her family were there. That's basically what I remember most. They say a lot of stars were there. 'Course, at that time, I didn't know they were there. Including yourself...which I appreciate. And God has blessed me to be here, so...
Tavis: Did we ever find out-- The thing that was so remarkable about it for those of us who know you in this town--nobody could figure out why anybody would attack Bill Jones. You're like the nicest guy around. Why would anybody attack Bill Jones? What did we ever learn, if anything, in retrospect, about why this person who lived in your neighborhood just started beating you down with a baseball bat?
Jones: They say that he was jealous because I was well-known in the community, and he didn't like me for some reason. But I don't know what the reason was. But I know he-- It was told to me that he said I was trying to mess with his wife, which is not true, 'cause I don't know his wife. I know her when I'd see her, and I knew him when I'd see him.
Tavis: He went into a jealous rage for some reason and just started...
Jones: But they also said that he had beaten up on another man who lived right down the street from us, too.
Tavis: He thought everybody wanted his wife. She must be fine! She must be real fine! Or he's real crazy, or both. I don't know. What did you make of why that happened to you? You said you thank God that you're doing better now. Why do you think that happened to you? What were you supposed to learn from that experience?
Jones: That I-- It made me a better person from that experience because I came closer to my family...which they always tell me that I'm out shooting and don't have enough time for them. And now I have all the time.
Tavis: You learned--quickly--you learned to reshoot again. You're right-handed.
Jones: Right.
Tavis: You learned to reshoot again using your left hand. And now you're still doing your thing. How difficult was that to go from right-handed to left-handed?
Jones: Very difficult. In fact, at first I couldn't even pick up the camera. And by the grace of God and in the hospital, they were helping me and said, 'you gotta build more strength in your right hand, too.'
Tavis: I'm told that what brought you out of that coma--they couldn't get you to come out of the coma--but when they brought that camera in your room, they just put the camera near you, just left it near you. You came back.
Jones: That's probably true, 'cause that's something that I really love. I don't know why that is, but I enjoy what I do.
Tavis: I can tell you why you enjoy it. Because you're good at it. Let me throw some pictures up right quick. Let's run through these right quick. A shot of you shooting Magic. You must have more shots of Magic than anybody in this town in all the years you been shooting. There's Earvin Johnson. What else you got there? Sammy Davis and Bill Cosby. You know a lot of historical figures.
Jones: I pride myself in getting you all, including you.
Tavis: Well, I ain't as big as Eddie Murphy and Richard Pryor. Or neither am I as big or as gorgeous, in fact, as either Denzel or Halle Berry. That was a big night in this town. Here are three folk who've all been on this show: Muhammad Ali, Will Smith, and Will's son. I think that's Trey. One of Will's boys on the show. All three have been on the show. Bill, I'm glad to have you on this program on Thanksgiving night. I'm awfully glad that you are still around. I give thanks to God for letting you be here and thanks to God for all the many years of your work.
Jones: Well, thank you very much.
Tavis: Nice to have you on. The book is 'Hollywood in Black: 40 Years of Photography by Bill Jones.' Thanks for watching. Happy thanksgiving, and keep the faith.
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