Who? My Generation: The Glory Years of British Rock is an exciting series of photographs by Harry Goodwin, resident photographer on hit music show Top of the Pops from 1964 to 1973.
What? Harking back to the days when everyone would stay in on a Thursday evening to watch Top of the Pops on BBC1, Goodwin’s series of nostalgic portraits capture the energy, charisma and style of our favourite chart-topping musicians who provided the soundtrack to this momentous era. From a young outrageously dressed Elton John complete with trademark glasses to the all-American teen idols Jackson 5 with matching permagrins and afros, and Jimi Hendrix dramatically playing a guitar with his teeth – Goodwin’s images feature our favourite musical stars both on stage and behind the scenes.
Why? Goodwin’s images present a fascinating record of the 60s and 70s and the impact of its musical icons, whose influence still resonates strongly today. Working for the British chart television show from its birth, “I used to get the odd photo I could sell to the Radio Times. There was a 12-week pilot of a series called Top of the Pops in 1964, and they needed someone to photograph the bands”, the Manchester-born photographer went on to capture some of the most famous and successful starts in the music industry over the next 10 years. With many of the original footage now lost, these photographs are now all that remains of performances by artists including Hendrix, Aretha Frankin, Dusty Springfield and The Beach Boys. And as Top of the Pops closed its doors on July 30 2006, after 42 years of broadcasting, these images truly represent the glory years of British rock.
The touring V&A exhibtion My Generation: The Glory Years of British Rock by Harry Goodwin runs until January 15 2012 at The Public in West Bromwich.
Suggested Reading: Menswear Vintage Style: Mick Jagger.
Text by Lucia Davies
