The Undertones emerged from Derry in 1976, the result of five friends learning how to play basic rock and roll. Even by the standards of that decade Derry was not the rock and roll capital of anywhere. With no live bands worth watching, they learned by listening to mail-order records, reading one of the few copies of NME that made it to Derry but most of all from listening to John Peel’s radio show on BBC Radio One. Practicing in their bedrooms eventually led to the band recording ‘Teenage Kicks’ in 1978 on Terri Hooley's Good Vibrations label in Belfast. The legendary DJ John Peel received a copy and liked it so much he played it twice in a row on his radio show.
From 1975 to 1983, the Undertones consisted of Feargal Sharkey (vocals), John O'Neill (rhythm guitar, vocals), Damian O'Neill (lead guitar, vocals), Michael Bradley (bass, vocals) and Billy Doherty (drums). Much of the earlier Undertones material drew on influences from punk rock and new wave; the Undertones also incorporated elements of rock, glam rock and post-punk into material released after 1979, before citing soul and Motown as the influence for the material released upon their final album.
In 1983 Feargal Sharkey left the band to pursue a solo career and the remaining members decided to call it a day. The Undertones were to remain silent for the next sixteen years.
Shot during a tour of Ireland, "I loved their 'Derry' style which was short jeans and Doc Martin boots - a throw back to the skinhead era"
This was a pub gig in Chester for 'Sounds'. I remember it was complete mayhem and I had to physically fight to get any shots at all.
Jimi Hendrix after performing on Lulu's TV show in London in January 1969
Freddie Mercury onstage with Queen at the Brøndby Hallen, Copenhagen in 1977 on their A Day At The Races Tour
This shoot of Madness in New York City in February 1980 was for Issue No.1 of a new magazine that developed cult status, The Face.
Punk icon Sid Vicious reading MAD magazine in Baton Rouge, Louisiana during the Sex Pistols one and only US tour in January 1978.
David Bowie was a leading figure in popular music for over five decades & regarded by critics & musicians as a true innovator.
Oasis were an English rock music band formed in Manchester in 1991, to date the band have sold over 70 million records worldwide.
Madonna transcended the term 'pop star' into a global icon & is regarded as the most influential female recording artist of all time.
Manchester is inextricably linked to its musical heritage. A city whose music is deeply rooted in its fabric
Our contact sheet collection is a rare opportunity to look back at the hidden moments surrounding some of rocks most iconic images.
Edition 100 was created to give fans & collectors a chance to own classic, historical pictures of their favorite bands.
The Rolling Stones have been entertaining audiences for more than 50 years. Our collections share the best images spanning their career
Here are the very latest prints we have added to our collection. We hope you love them as much as we do.
