Andrew Dickerman, who spent decades as a Providence Journal photographer and had a memorable encounter with the Rolling Stones in 1972, has died while backpacking in southeast Asia, according to his daughter.
Dickerman’s daugther, Ariel Summer Dickerman, writes on Facebook, “On February 14th, my dad, Andrew Dickerman, passed away in the middle of one of his biggest adventures, backpacking through South East Asia. While there will be no more new pictures, there will be lots of old ones surfacing. Since it’s pretty difficult to find him in front of the lens, I uploaded a few with this status update. My dad was one of the most interesting people I have ever met, and I feel so lucky to be his kid. He taught me so much about the world on every journey he brought me on, whether it was to the supermarket to buy cake ingredients, or to the Western Highlands of Guatemala. Andrew had (and still has!) such a strong network of friends, spanning across the globe, but especially from his almost 50 years at the Providence Journal, and on his favorite island, Martha’s Vineyard. Thank you to every one of his friends for being part of his adventures.”
Dickerman left the Journal in late 2014.
As word of his passing got around, former Journal colleagues started sharing tributes to Dickerman. Here’s one from former ProJo columnist Bob Kerr: “In that wonderfully off-center world of the Journal photo staff, Andy was unique. He could be infuriating and inspiring and funny as hell, all in the span of a few minutes. We once got pulled over by local police in Newfane, Vermont, while doing a story on Red Sox fever along the back roads of New England. Andy was driving. Somehow, he and the cop ended up laughing over whatever it was Andy chose to offer at the road side. Lots of good memories from being on the road with Journal photographers.”
While Dickerman shot many thousands of photos in his time with the Journal, part of his legend involves the Rolling Stones’ 1972 US tour.
According to Rolling Stone, the band’s plane was directed to T.F. Green Airport ahead of a show at the Boston Garden, due to fog at Boston’s Logan Airport:
Also present were Dante Ionata, a reporter for the Providence Journal and Bulletin, and Andy Dickerman, a 30-year-old staff photographer for the papers.
Dickerman apparently started shooting pictures without introducing himself. Stromberg, who handles press relations for the Stones, reportedly asked Dickerman to stop.
“You can’t tell me not to take pictures,” Dickerman replied.
Enter Stanley A. Moore, 40, of the Stones’ security force. He and Stromberg escort Dickerman away from the scene. Dickerman calls the police. Sirens blaring, Sgt. Frank Ricci and three other cops race up. Ricci tries to negotiate a compromise. There is another ruckus, and the police start making arrests.
Mick Jagger was among those arrested.
According to Rolling Stone, the Providence Journal Company announced it would file suit on behalf of Dickerman, who said he was hit with a leather belt during the fray.
Ariel Summer Dickerman writes on Facebook that arrangements for her father are not yet complete.
This post has been updated.