Great story by Bruce... I feel very lucky to have visited Roger Thompson in his 55 street loft that Bruce is talking about in his article .
Roger at his best. The chance to spend a few hours there ,as described in the articles on your forum , was magic visiting Roger in his element.
Knowing what to look for a must , otherwise one would miss the point of being there...No welcome committee & no talking , other the great consultations & simple Down town politeness & great music in the back ground . Teddy Pendergrass the choice of the day i went to visit .
"TURN OFF THE LIGHTS".Roger was in the "GROOVE" that day. When you work in a Sassoon Salon you learn that most individual apply a certain body language when cutting hair... if you learn how to read this form of expression , it gives you excess to the intend of the shape from the crimper body language ... Roger was happy when people observed quietly without asking questions of interruption ...Some people don't see the romance... because they look at our craft with another view or scope. Regardless of Roger reclusive personality & demeanor he was an artist. America did not see his talent... ,with the exception of a few diehards. Roger will be honored once the masses start to understand Hair engineering as a flexible media . To say he was years ahead ,it doesn’t do justice ,talent & dedication to innovating the craft ,while in a subtle ,"Silent Way" .Roger secrets journey was his private world.
Most crimpers with a fraction of his talent would show & brag . Roger found satisfaction in his inner journey, his private world ,only accessible through setting his own "MARK". I truly believe he would like the right type of appreciation from people that would put his work first.
What we do is not rocket science , the "Technical Inner Dependencies " is kept some of us getting up in the morning throughout the years .
We are making history in a new art form that this far is illusive to most & a treasure to some . Finally , Van Gogh died penny less ,mean while not too long ago’ his painting sold for 60 millions . Treasure is in the mind of the beholder ,& as we honor a great innovator like Roger Thompson we perceive "WE ARE STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS ". Roger’s North America success was not recognized by many. The wonder of every design is contained within invisible layers of details . His inner world a private affair of the men and his art. BY... Sal Ventimiglia"