Tuesday, April 20, 2010

DYLAN: TOP OF THE POPS TO THE V&A?

Where? Victoria & Album Museum, London: Theatre & Performance, Rm 104
When? 30 April – 24 October 2010
What? Exhibition of 200 of Harry Goodwin's photographs
Price?: Free admission

BBC-TV show Top of the Pops was launched on New Year's Day 1964, and became the longest-running TV show in British history. The Rolling Stones were the opening band; the photographer was Harry Goodwin. The V&A says:

"This display will bring together 200 of Harry Goodwin's most striking and memorable photographs, from a shocked Bob Dylan (temporarily blinded by Harry's flash in punishment for grumpiness) to a dramatic shot of Jimi Hendrix playing the guitar with his teeth. These images capture the mood and style of the 60s and 70s, and the impact of its musical stars. They celebrate those who are still actively part of the contemporary music scene and those who are remembered with veneration and affection. As the show's resident photographer from 1964 to 1973, Harry Goodwin's unique collection of photographs remembers them all."

But the question surely is: when was Bob Dylan hanging around the set of Top of the Pops? And which photo of him?

12 comments:

  1. Anonymous1:57 pm

    I remember the report that the photograph is from Sheffield City Hall in 1966...but Dylan played the Gaumont Theatre Sheffield on the 16th May 1966.

    The photograph is on permanent exhibtion at Liverpool John Lennon Aiport in the depature lounge in a collection of Harry Goodwins photographs.

    Paul.

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  2. McHenry Boatride2:32 pm

    Apparently the photo was taken in Sheffield (the night I saw him! - I don't think you were at that one, Michael). Harry Godwin took photos of stars who weren't able (or willing) to perform on Top of the Pops to be used as background images.

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  3. Anonymous6:03 pm

    the photograph was taken at Sheffield City Hall in 1966 by Harry Goodwin

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  4. Anonymous6:04 pm

    The Dylan photo was taken by Top Of The Pops photographer Harry Goodwin at Sheffield City Hall in 1966

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  5. wee tommy6:20 pm

    That Hendrix photo, with its curtain backdrop, doesn't look like a TOTP shot. So maybe the Dylan photo isn't related directly to the show.

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  6. How gratifying it is, somehow, though it's none of my doing, to find that this blog's readership is so knowledgeable. I'm impressed. Thanks to all. It's appreciated.

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  7. Martin C8:48 am

    Michael, I have the book (we were thinking of running a selection, but they are so comprehensively awful we decided not to) and the Dylan pic is a dull shot of him that looks like the Dan Kramer period stuff. The book doesn't explain why Dylan was there...

    Can't quite credit why the V&A are putting this on. He certainly photographed everyone who was anyone, but there isn't a decent picture in the whole collection.

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  8. Ah yes, McHenry - and I think I'm right in remembering that after the shouting and slow handclapping at Sheffield, you heard someone in the crowd coming out saying "Well: Bob Dylan died tonight..."

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  9. McHenry Boatride8:53 am

    Indeed. It's been one hell of a wake!

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  10. I don't think it's such a dull shot of Bob, Martin - and Harry Goodwin can't help the fact that Bob was wearing the same Bob Dylan mask for him as for Daniel Kramer.

    You're up early, McHenry.

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  11. Hello Michael

    The Hendrix picture was shot at the New Century Hall in the CIS Building in central Manchester, 1st July 1967 - I know - I was there.
    All The Best
    CP Lee

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  12. Thank you for all thath I have learned in this post!

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