Top of the shots! Rock and pop legend portraits go on show at University

Tuesday 9 October 2012 6.08am
Jimi Hendrix at the New Century Hall, Manchester, January 1967
Jimi Hendrix at the New Century Hall, Manchester, January 1967
A pictorial chronicle of some of the greatest names in rock and pop is to go on display at the University of Salford, thanks to the donation of a unique archive by a former ‘Top of the Pops’ resident photographer.

Harry Goodwin took shots for the iconic BBC music show from its beginning in 1964 through to 1973, in the process photographing every act in the UK singles Top 30 during that time, apart from Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley.

He has now given 60 signed prints and a digital archive to the University, which will host an exhibition of his work, including photos of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan and a young Michael Jackson, from Saturday 13 October until Wednesday 20 February 2013 at the Clifford Whitworth Library on the Peel campus.

Entitled ‘When Harry Met…’ Photographs by Harry Goodwin, the exhibition also features images of rock stars performing in Salford and Manchester, such as Debbie Harry at the University’s Maxwell Hall in March 1978 and Jimi Hendrix at Manchester’s New Century Hall from January 1967.

Away from music, Harry had a passion for sports photography, having trained as a boxer as a young man, and pictures of Muhammad Ali and Alex Ferguson are included in the exhibition.

Celebrating the creation of the archive, Harry will talk about his work and there will be a special screening of some of his photos, along with a documentary interview filmed by Salford student Lydia Sharkey, at a special event at the University’s MediaCityUK building on Thursday 18 October from 6.00-9.00pm. Admission to the event is free of charge, refreshments will be available, and music will be provided by Music Directorate students.

Co-curator and Photography Programme Leader at the University, Lawrence Giles, said: “It’s been an absolute pleasure to work with Harry and a real privilege to be involved in curating this forthcoming exhibition.

“Thanks to Harry’s donation, his works will be an important archive and rich resource. I am conscious of the importance of this collection and the lasting legacy this body of work will have for both current and future students here at the University of Salford.”

More photos from the Harry Goodwin archive can be viewed at our Flickr photostream: www.flickr.com/salforduniversity.