Brilliant Photos of Rock Gods and Pop Stars – 1965-1975

Music photographer Barrie Wentzell shot the world’s biggest stars between 1965 and 1975. He talks shares some of this archive and speaks about his work.

 

 

Freddie Mercury, 1974

‘For Melody Maker’s Christmas issue that year, it was decided that Freddie should grace the cover. I never liked doing these cheesy shoots, but it had to be done. Freddie turned up with a pretty girl and I sat him in a chair in the studio, poured him and myself large glasses of cheer, and we went through a few snaps. By the end of the shoot, and almost the end of the bottle of scotch, a very merry Freddie was singing Christmas songs, lots of fun and job done’

 

 

Robert Plant, 1970 – on his way to Heathrow airport for the start of Led Zeppelin’s US tour. 

‘When you got right down to it, today’s giants of rock’n’roll were just a bunch of ordinary kids trying to have a good time and be a bit rebellious, and avoid life on an assembly line in some dreary factory. Even though a lot of us thought that was where we’d end up eventually.’

 

 

David Bowie, 1972

 ‘It was a rather overcast day in London when Mick Watts and I went over to interview David at his manager Tony DeFries’ rather small and grubby office in Regent Street. As we entered, David was sitting very pretty in this amazingly bright and tight outfit, lazily smoking a cigarette and reading a book. “Hello, come in,” he said, smiling. During the interview, David announced he was gay and always had been. The article and photo caused a lot of talk, and as David told me later, the publicity helped make him a star.’

 

The Beatles in 1967 – outside Brian Epstein’s house in Belgravia, London.

‘This was the first time I’d met and photographed The Beatles. It was at the launch party for Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, at Brian Epstein’s house in Belgravia. I took a few shots inside the house but the lighting was bad and Derek Taylor, their wonder of a press officer, suggested all the press and photographers go outside and we’d do some pictures by the door. I managed to crawl up to the front through the crowd and get this picture.’

 

 

Elton John in 1972 – at home

‘Chris Welch and I went to visit Elton in his new home near Virginia Water in Surrey, to do an interview for Melody Maker. Elton welcomed us with a glass of champagne, which I spilled on his Persian carpet. I apologised and Elton just laughed and said, “Don’t worry, I had Keith Moon over last night and he’s already christened it.” Elton took us on a tour of his house, and his mum popped her head around the kitchen door and asked us if we’d like some baked beans on toast. “Yes please,” we all replied, and we enjoyed a splendid bean feast’

 

 

Diana Ross, 1965

‘I was at the BBC studios to shoot some pictures during the taping of Top of the Pops and had popped to the bar during a break. Diana was sitting at a table talking to a reporter and I asked her if it was OK to take a few pictures. She smiled and said yes. After she left, the reporter suggested I send some pictures to Melody Maker. The next Wednesday I saw my photo on the front page. Wow! A few days later I got a call from Melody Maker, offering me a job as chief freelance photographer, which I gladly accepted … thanks to Diana Ross!’

 

 

The Rolling Stones in 1969 – at a Beggars Banquet reception at The Gore Hotel, London.

‘A dozen or so music journalists were invited to the launch party for the Stones’ new album, Beggars Banquet, taking place in a Henry VIII-style banqueting hall in Kensington, London, with food, drink and “serving wenches” to boot. We were partying on our own, as the Stones weren’t there yet and we thought it was a hoax. Suddenly a big oak door opened and in rushed “the boys” armed with custard pies, which they threw at us. We retaliated and a Keystone Cops scene followed with the band and ourselves covered in custard pies’

 

 

Nina Simone in 1969 – at The Royal Albert Hall in London

‘Nina was an infinitely talented, passionate and amazing woman who made music of heartfelt depth and soul. I don’t really remember much about this shoot, except that I was mesmerised by her profound presence. The High Priestess of Soul as she was called – and rightly so! Nina looked like a Queen Nefertiti or Cleopatra as I sat on the floor and looked through the wide-angle lens. I do remember listening to her talk of civil rights and other deep concerns and convictions she had, she only laughed a few times. Luckily I managed to capture that moment here in this photo.’

 

David Gilmour in 1965

‘I got a call from Pink Floyd’s PR office to go to Abbey Road Studios and shoot some head shots of the band for their US visa applications. The lads never really liked to pose for photos, but this time they had no choice. This shot of David is the best passport photo I’ve ever seen. Sort of looks like a familiar biblical figure. The US immigration authorities wouldn’t dare refuse him entry after seeing this picture.’

 

Peter Gabriel in 1973

‘Melody Maker occasionally did a feature called Band Breakdown. Interviews were done with all the band members, with individual photos. Genesis were to be featured and I went along to the beautiful old cinema which had been renamed The Rainbow theatre in north London. The lads were rehearsing and I photographed as they played. Peter Gabriel was most helpful as he arranged for the lighting to be put on, and for half an hour or so he went through character and costume changes especially for me’

 

 

Aretha Franklin, 1970

‘Aretha was soul music. This was a great concert, with her powerful voice so moving at times I felt like the Royal Albert Hall had turned into a gospel church in the American South. She had a big hit with Respect around this time and was doing her first tour of England. I chose this picture as I felt it captured the power and glory of the evening as I saw and felt it.

 

Bob Dylan in 1965

‘Bob was rehearsing for a live TV show during his Don’t Look Back tour. I happened to be at the BBC canteen and there he was sitting a few feet away. He was hanging out during a break from rehearsals so I asked if I could shoot some pictures, and in his very Bob way he said, “You can shoot yourself if you want to … sure it’s cool, carry on”, so I did. I later snuck in and photographed the rest of the rehearsal unimpeded. That evening I went along to see the show in a small studio with only about 100 others. A unique, intimate and wonderful time’

 

Leonard Cohen in 974 at his managers office, London

‘This was the first time I had met Leonard Cohen. I’d heard his album Songs from a Room when it came out and found it totally depressing. I went along with Melody Maker writer Roy Hollingworth to do an interview and we found Lenny relaxing by a window with his bare feet up on his manager’s desk. To my great surprise, he turned out to be one of the funniest characters I’d met. Since that day I’ve loved his music and can even enjoy Songs from a Room’

 

 

Jimmy Page in 1971

 ‘Barrie was at Ulster Hall, Belfast in Northern Ireland in 1971, before the release of Led Zeppelin’s fourth album. This was a historic concert for many reasons, but here are a couple: Stairway to Heaven was played here for the first time in concert and it was also where my Gibson double-neck guitar made its first appearance in concert. Barrie was always a pleasure to work with.’

 

The Kinks in 1972 – outside The Flask pub in Highgate, London.

‘The Kinks always hated photo shoots. When we first came into the music industry, photographers were strictly old school, with collars and ties and suits. It felt as though we were taking police mug shots before being incarcerated. It wasn’t until photographers like Barrie Wentzell sussed out that it was easier to dress like one of the bands to find themselves included in the new era of rock’n’roll. He managed to be absorbed by the band. We talked about the music we wanted to make and he could reflect that in his shoots’

 

Photographs: Barrie Wentzell – Barrie Wentzell’s Should’ve Been There… is published by Rufus Publications.