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.
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The original Pink Floyd line-up on their first ever photo shoot in Ruskin Park, London
The image of The Smiths outside Salford Lads' Club that graces the inner sleeve of their classic album The Queen is Dead
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Pink Floyd are currently getting set for the 'Their Mortal Remains' exhibition at the V&A - Check out our range of images for sale.
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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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These are a selected prints assigned into limited edition runs. Once all the prints have been sold they will no longer be available.
Storm Thorgerson AV40 or 'Alternate Versions 40' comprises of a series of images that are alternate versions of original album art.
