Truly a superstar in the tattoo world, Brian Everett was one of our first big-name interviews. In fact, he was proudly featured in our third issue, back in September of 1997. We were just getting our feet on the ground as a preeminent tattoo publication and still fighting off detractors. Our main photographer at the time was Maurice Pacheco, Zeke Owen had a regular column, Joe Vegas and Permanent Mark were contributing reporters (Joe wrote a Horiyoshi III cover story and Perm covered a trip to Hanky Panky's tattoo museum in Amsterdam), Chuck Eldridge penned "Our Living History" and the centerfold was labeled SKIN&INK Babes. The back-outside cover was a photograph of a heavily tattooed Pote Seyler, wearing only a fig leaf and, as doubtful readers became avid fans, the Letters to the Editor were becoming more congratulatory and less caustic. In other words, no more hate mail.

It was determined early on that we should feature the most respected and talented artists in the business. As I say, we started with Hanky Panky (May 1997) and Horiyoshi III (July '97), but it was the Brian Everett story that really established our credibility and led to a consistent flow of features extolling some of the truly great, definitive American tattoo masters, such as Spider Webb (November '97), Bob Roberts (January '98), Vyvyn Lazonga (March '98) and Greg Irons (May '98).

We were only six times a year back then and our heads were full of dreams and lofty ideas. Here I was, a neophyte, planning an interview with one of the most respected, talented and seminal tattoo artists of all time. That was back when Brian's Route 66 Fineline Tattoo was one of only two shops in Albuquerque, New Mexico. His staff at the time was Jason Willis, Tony Johnson, Mr. Max, Tom De Priest, Tim McCarthy and Shane DeLarian. The public passion for tattooing was just catching fire and in the entire U.S. there were only four, maybe five, tattoo conventions a year.

Considering Everett's legendary status, I was both excited and apprehensive. Hey, this pioneer of single-needle tattooing might very well chew me up and spit me out for breakfast. But this was no time to be a pansy. Before I knew it, me and my cohorts, Maurice, Jesse Tuesday and Bruce Litz, hopped a plane and flew southward, through the clouds and into uncertainty.

We all learned a lesson that day. Not only was Brian a great interview, but we ended up having a memorable dinner with him and his beautiful wife, Paula, and their newborn baby. Brian didn't know who the heck I was, but, no matter. He was kind, patient and helpful. His interview was a classic and went a long way in establishing SKIN&INK as "the tattoo magazine people actually read."

So, imagine my delight when Samara Alpern contacted me regarding a new, updated story about our friend Brian. Great idea. What a fantastic opportunity to bring Brian to a new audience, especially those who specialize in the subtleties of black & gray portraiture. So, stop what you are doing and face toward Albuquerque. Say, "Thank you, big guy," and realize that, without trailblazers like Brian Everett, the art of tattooing would never have attained the amazing popularity and respect it enjoys today.

We will all now genuflect.

Bob Baxter
Editor in Chief

baxter@skin&ink.com
www.skinandink.com