Ramblin' Gamblin' Men

Local photographer Thomas Weschler — who officially served as Bob Seger's road manager from 1969 through 1973 — had unlimited access to Seger and his camp for several decades, both during and after his official managerial duties. In other words, Weschler was there, almost like a fly on the wall, for Seger's ascent from local fave at Michigan "teen clubs" to international rock 'n' roll superstar. Earlier this year, the lensman dug through his archive of thousands of Seger shots to select 170 of his personal favorites. The result is Travelin' Man: On the Road and Behind the Scenes With Bob Seger (Wayne State University Press, $27.95), a glossy coffee-table book that traces the Seger story from gigs at the Oakland Mall in the late '60s to his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame several years ago. Featuring a foreword by fellow heartland rocker John Mellencamp and an afterword by Kid Rock (who inducted Seger into the aforementioned hall of fame), the 168-page tome also features Weschler's memories and stories, with additional prose and info courtesy of local scribe and rock critic Gary Graff. The book is already in its second printing, and, with the holidays on the way, it shouldn't be long before it heads into its third. Some of our favorite images from the book are featured on this and the following page. Enjoy!

Thomas Weschler and Gary Graff will sign copies of Travelin’ Man at Book Beat in Oak Park at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 22, and at the Barnes & Noble in Allen Park at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 12.