THE RARE AND UNSEEN PHOTOGRAPHS OF BRIAN SMITH. 
American Rhythm and Blues photographs. England 1962-1966
Taken in and around Manchester in the early 1960s at the big venues like The Free Trade Hall and iconic club venues, many from The original Twisted Wheel.  Newly scanned and restored, mostly from original negatives.

Over 200 photographs.

Back in the late fifties and into the sixties, Manchester was a happening centre of popular music, rivalling Liverpool and London. Local lad Brian Smith saw it happen. In the mid-1950s a friend’s older brother took them to shows at Manchester Free Trade Hall where Brian was introduced to skiffle, early rock and roll and the blues boom. A keen amateur photographer, Brian got his first proper camera in 1961 and began combining what were now his two passions. He soon became known to door staff as ‘the fan with the camera’. He strived to get a decent frame or two, had them printed up locally, then went along the next time to have the photograph signed. Along with his friends they got to know theatre managers and staff, who were happy to let them backstage to meet musicians and chat, with Brian invariably photographing the scene. Spurred on by the excitement of mixing with famous musicians, they founded the Northern Society Of Popular Music, printing up letterheads and business cards to help them gain access to the venues and dressing rooms.

FEATURING : Johnny Guitar Watson, Big Joe Turner, Chuck Berry, Screaming Jay Hawkins, Little Richard, Bo Diddley, Jimmy Reed, Hubert Sumlin, Howlin Wolf, Buddy Guy, John Lee Hooker, The Rolling Stones, Carl Perkins AND MANY MORE.

AUTHOR : SIMON ROBINSON. CONSULTANT : MARK STRATFORD.

Easy On The Eye Books
180+ pages, colour and black and white on matt art paper. Litho. Softback colour cover. Fully illustrated.
Page size 210X210mm