For over ten years Barrie Wentzell worked as the exclusive chief photographer for legendary music publication 'Melody Maker'. He photographed one of the most important decades in the history of popular music, shooting many unknown musicians who went on to be global superstars. Celebrated artists such as Bob Dylan, Louis Armstrong, Aretha Franklin, Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard and rock and roll icons such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Kinks, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton all have their place in Barrie Wentzell's vast archive.
Barrie's career began at a photo studio in Belgravia in the the early 1960s. It was then, upon meeting his soon to become mentor, photojournalist Maurice Newcombe, that he became inspired to pursue a photographic career of his own and he started working in the area of music. In 1965 he had a chance encounter with the young Diana Ross and the image he captured of this yet-to-be global icon became a riveting front cover of Melody Maker and caught the attention of Bob Houston, the assistant editor at the time. And so the journey began ...
2017 saw the release of the film 'Melody Makers' in which Barrie Barrie tells the story of the rise and fall of the magazine, which marked the end to a style of rock n' roll journalism that no longer exit's today.
We are proud to offer a selection of Barrie's fantastic images for sale
A rather pensive Jimi Hendrix captured in his manager's, Mike Jeffreys, office in 1968
Iconic shot of Jimi Hendrix, 1969, in his flat on Brook Street, Mayfair, London, during an interview for Melody Maker
Bob Dylan relaxing and having a pint during the recordings for his BBC concert at BBC Studios in June 1965
John Lennon & Yoko Ono in the kitchen of their home in Tittenhurst Park Ascot, UK in 1971, taken after an on-site press interview.
Jimmy Page playing his legendary bowed guitar solo during 'Dazed & Confused' whilst onstage with Led Zeppelin in Belfast in March 1971
Contact sheet of David Bowie images taken during an interview in London, 1972. One of the images was used on the cover of Melody Maker
Jimi Hendrix onstage during his legendary performance at the Woburn Music Festival in 1968
At Brian Epstein's house in London during the launch party for The Beatles album 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band'.
The Beatles outside Brian Epstein's home in Belgravia, London during the launch party for 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart's Club Band' in 1967
The ’Bopping Imp’ as we used to call him in his acoustic days, becomes the ’Electric Warrior’.
Bob Dylan rehearsing for the recording of his BBC In Concert show at BBC Studios, Shepherds Bush in London in June 1965
Barrie Wentzell shoots the back cover for Cat Stevens album 'Tea for the Tillerman' on Primrose Hill, London.
"We met in his manager's office in Mayfair, the original Kinks had gone and future photo shoots were done in the ’Pub.’
John Lennon relaxing at Brian Epstein's house in London whilst at the launch party for their album 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band'.
Contact sheet of Jimi Hendrix photographed at his London home on Brook Street in 1969
Early image of Elton John pictured with long term collaborator Bernie Taupin on Hampstead Heath, London in the summer of 1970.
Elton John performing 'Crocodile Rock' onstage at the Edmonton Sundown in London in March 1973
The Rolling Stones onstage performing during the television show "Ready, Set, Go"
Keith Richards performing onstage during an episode of Ready Steady Go! in London in 1966
John Entwhistle & Pete Townshend from The Who recording overdubbing in London in 1968
Pete Townshend from the Who at his flat near Victoria Station in London in 1968.
Underwater photo of Krist Novoselic in a LA swimming pool whilst on a Nirvana publicty shoot
Contact sheet of the Red Hot Chilli Peppers photographed at Hyde Park, London in 1991
Noel recalls "Maine Road was where we all used to go as kids. So I was standing there, trying to make sure I never forgot this moment"
Limited edition screen print of a mugshot of Prince created by artist David Studwell
Björk Guðmundsdóttir, (born 21 November 1965), known mononymously as Björk is an Icelandic singer-songwriter.
Jeff Beck is one of rock’s most respected and dynamic instrumentalists. He is widely regarded as a “guitarist’s guitarist”.
Oasis was an English rock music band formed in Manchester in 1991, to date the band has sold over 70 million records worldwide.
David Bowie was a leading figure in popular music for over five decades & regarded by critics & musicians as a true innovator.
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