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  • Adam Ant dressed as the Dandy Highwayman at Hatfield House in 1981 by Allan Ballard
  • Adam Any onstage at the Lyceum Ballroom, London in 1980 photographed by Gerard McNamara
  • Adam Ant with full makeup onstage in London in 1980 photographed by Gerard McNamara
  • Adam & The Ants (AANT002MIGR)
  • Adam Ant (AANT001JF)
  • Adam Ant (AANT001MIGR)

Adam and the Ants

Adam and the Ants were an English new wave band active during the late 1970s and early 1980s. The group, which lasted from 1977 to 1982, existed in two incarnations, both fronted by Adam Ant. The first, founded in May 1977, achieved considerable cult popularity during the transition from the punk rock era to the post-punk and new wave era and were noted for their high camp and overtly sexualised stage performances and songs.

The band made their radio debut on the John Peel show with a session recorded on 23 January 1978, including the song "Lou" featuring the group's manager Jordan guesting on lead vocals (as she would regularly do on live performance of the song from mid-1977 until May 1978 when she split from the band). The following day, Adam and the Ants re-recorded "Deutscher Girls" (and overdubbed a guitar solo onto the above-mentioned version of "Plastic Surgery") for the Jubilee soundtrack album, which would be released in April – the two tracks on the album being the group's vinyl debut.

Touring extensively around the UK, often with Siouxsie and the Banshees, they proved to be unpopular with much of the British music press who disliked their fetishistic lyrics and imagery. In response, the group formed a strong – at times ideological – rapport with amateur punk fanzines such as Ripped And Torn which gave them more favourable coverage. The band built up a strong cult following (the early "Antpeople") but struggled to find overground success or even a record deal (apart from the two Jubilee soundtrack songs) until 1978 when they were signed to Decca.

www.adam-ant.net

Browse our unique collection of Adam and the Ants photos and prints below

Adam Ant dressed as the Dandy Highwayman at Hatfield House in 1981 by Allan Ballard

Adam and the Ants

Adam Ant posing as the Dandy Highwayman on the set of Stand and Deliver at Hatfield House in Spring 1981.

Prices from £208.33
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Adam Any onstage at the Lyceum Ballroom, London in 1980 photographed by Gerard McNamara

Adam and the Ants

Adam and the Ants performing on stage on the 'Kings of the Wild Frontier' tour at the Lyceum Ballroom in 1980.

Prices from £295.00
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Adam Ant with full makeup onstage in London in 1980 photographed by Gerard McNamara

Adam and the Ants

This photo was taken on the 'Kings of the Wild Frontier' tour. Just as Adam Ant pauses an unusual but interesting lighting effect came on.

Prices from £208.33
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Adam & The Ants (AANT002MIGR)

Adam & The Ants

Adam & The Ants captured in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA in 1981.

Prices from £2,800.00
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Adam Ant (AANT001JF)

Adam Ant

Adam Ant photographed by Jill Furmanovsky during a cover shoot for The Face magazine in February 1981

Prices from £295.00
print
Adam Ant (AANT001MIGR)

Adam Ant

Adam Ant photographed by Michael Grecco posing in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA in 1981

Prices from £2,800.00
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Featured Prints

Oasis (OAMR001JF)

Oasis

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"

Prices from £2,000.00
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Pink Floyd (PF005ANWH)

Pink Floyd

Relaxing backstage at Abbey Road Studios during the recording of debut album 'The Piper at the Gates of Dawn'

Prices from £291.67
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Amy Winehouse sat on a bench in a North London laundrette in 2004 photograpghed by Jake Chessum

Amy Winehouse

Stunning image of Amy Winehouse taken in a North London launderette during a photo shoot in winter 2004.

Prices from £595.00
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Screen print of Prince created by artist David Studwell

Prince

Limited edition screen print of a mugshot of Prince created by artist David Studwell

Prices from £300.00
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Led Zeppelin (LZ001MPUT)

Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin performing at Madison Square Garden, New York, USA 1977.

Prices from £595.00
print
Red Hot Chili Peppers (CP001MA)

Red Hot Chili Peppers

Contact sheet of the Red Hot Chilli Peppers photographed at Hyde Park, London in 1991

Prices from £295.00
print

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Featured Collections

***New Arrivals***

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Here are the very latest prints we have added to our collection. We hope you love them as much as we do.

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Contact Sheets Print Collection

Contact Sheets Print Collection

Our contact sheet print collection is a rare opportunity to look back at the hidden moments surrounding some of rocks most iconic images.

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Alternative artwork by Storm Thorgerson for Pink Floyd's Division Bell

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Album covers can define a band almost as much as the music itself. Now you can put this great art on your wall as well as your turntable

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Jill Furmanovsky Collection

Jill Furmanovsky Collection

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Jake Chessum

Jake Chessum

During his 30 year career Jake Chessum has shot defining images of musicians such as Amy Winehouse, Jay Z, The Beastie Boys & David Bowie.

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Born In The USA

Born In The USA

The USA has given us many of the world's greatest music artists - we celebrate the best of the best

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