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.
David Bowie, Lou Reed & Iggy Pop during a press conference at the Dorchester Hotel, London in July 1972
This stark image was a poster designed to promote the Pink Floyd exhibition, Interstellar, at the Paris Cité De La Musique in October 2003.
Morrissey performing upside down on a monitor during his Kill Uncle Tour at the Jones Beach Theatre, Wantagh, New York in July 1991
Contact sheet of Joy Division backstage at the YMCA, London in August 1979
Paul Weller is an English singer, songwriter and musician. Weller achieved fame with the punk rock/new wave/mod revival band The Jam.
Liam Gallagher is best known as the charismatic, self-assured front man of Manchester Britpop band Oasis.
With his distinctive raspy voice and profound lyricism, Rod Stewart is one of the best-selling music artists of all time.
Sir Cliff Richard is a British pop singer, musician, performer, actor & philanthropist, he has sold more than 250 million records worldwide.
Curated collection of authentic, signed limited edition fine art prints by legendary rock music photographer, Mck Rock
Here are the very latest prints we have added to our collection. We hope you love them as much as we do.
Welcome to our Jazz & Blues Print Collection - over 50 years of iconic images of the world's greatest Jazz & Blues musicians
For eight years photographer Brian Duffy worked with David Bowie and shot his most iconic and enduring images. View his fantastic collection
