Gregg F. Maston was
born on July 30,1960 in Phoenix, Arizona and passed from this life on October
20, 2020 in Austin Texas. He was preceded in death by his father, Fred Maston
who passed in 1974. Gregg grew up in Scottsdale Arizona and graduated from
Arcadia High School in 1978.
As a young boy he
enjoyed activities in the Boy Scouts and had an early interest in music,
playing in his school band. Gregg had a great love of animals, particularly
snakes and reptiles after having seen them in the Arizona desert. He and his
Father built cages so he could keep pet snakes. They also shared a strong
interest in rare coin collections.
From Gregg’s earliest
years he led a busy life, pursuing many interests. At a very young age he
became fascinated with World War II ships and particularly aircraft. He built
models and often went to aircraft shows with his family. This interest led to
his decision to join the Army after his high school graduation. He enlisted in
the Army in 1978, was stationed at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio Texas and discharged
in 1981.
Gregg was a fixture
at rock concerts in San Antonio and became interested in photography when he
realized being a photographer would get him to the front of the stage. His
professional career began when he won a fan photography contest in 1986 through
Hit Parader Magazine. His photograph of Def Leppard won out of thousands of
submissions. Gregg became a world class photographer taking thousands of
photographs and chronicling major touring acts throughout the 1980’s and beyond. Gregg
shot regularly for Hit Parader and had photos published in Rolling Stone, Spin,
Faces and Power Metal. He specialized in live and on location shooting with
assignments at Lollapalooza and clients including Sony, Peavy and Sun records.
One of Gregg’s Photographs of Ozzy Osbourne taken in 1992 was used in the
remastered version of Diary of a Madman and also in the Ozzy Essentials
collection.
Gregg moved to Austin
in the early 1990’s where he continued his photography career specializing in
the live music scene where he had many friends.
He loved motorcycles
and was active in the Austin biker community and when not active, always a
supporter. He was a former member of the Brotherhood of Bikers.
Gregg had a keen eye
for beauty and value. He loved to collect guitars, coins, vintage toys, antique
clocks, and all kinds of art. Gregg loved muscle cars and race cars. He bought
and sold many over the years.
He enjoyed helping
others overcome their fear of snakes and volunteered in this endeavour. At home
he loved to relax with one of his snakes draped around his neck.
At the end of his
life he had been self employed at his Cash for Gold store where he enjoyed
buying and selling jewelry, coins and collectibles.
Gregg was a kind,
sensitive and generous soul. He approached everyone as a friend. Gregg is
irreplaceable, Gregg was loved. He will never be forgotten.
He is survived by his
mother, Irma Maston, brother John Maston and wife Sabrina Locke-Maston, 2
nieces, Tatum and Shea Maston, nephew Cole Maston, his cousin Robert Jones, his
girlfriend Lisa Stevens and his best friend Teresa Kay Madansky.