British Blues Photographer Brian Smith Leaves Lasting Legacy
At the age of 82, renowned photographer Brian Smith has left an indelible mark on the world of British blues. His extensive collection of photographs, spanning over six decades, has not only documented some of America's most influential musicians but also played a pivotal role in shaping the genre.
Born and raised in Manchester, Smith's fascination with music began at a young age, when he witnessed Lonnie Donegan's skiffle group perform at the Chris Barber gig in 1954. This exposure would later become a defining moment in his life, as he became a huge fan of the blues and devoted himself to capturing its essence through his lens.
Throughout the 1960s, Smith traveled extensively, photographing icons like Howlin' Wolf, T Bone Walker, Sonny Boy Williamson, Chuck Berry, and Screamin' Jay Hawkins. His images appeared on album sleeves, magazine covers, and later on CDs and box sets, cementing his status as one of the most respected photographers in the industry.
As an unofficial in-house photographer at Manchester's Twisted Wheel club, Smith cultivated relationships with promoters and club owners, securing artist interviews and backstage passes that saved him a fortune in tickets. This astute networking strategy allowed him to chronicle some of the most pivotal moments in British blues history.
The late 1970s and 1980s saw a resurgence of interest in American blues and R&B, thanks in part to Smith's extensive archive. His photographs were snapped up by record companies, including MCA, Ace Records, and JSP Records, who utilized them for reissues and releases.
In recent years, Smith's contributions to the world of blues have been recognized through his book, "Boom Boom, Boom, Boom – American Rhythm & Blues In England 1962–1966," which features over 176 pages of photographs and stories. This publication is a testament to Smith's dedication to preserving the legacy of British blues.
Smith's passing leaves behind a legacy that will continue to inspire and educate fans of the genre. His photographs, now housed in esteemed institutions like Blues & Rhythm magazine, where he worked as a writer and photographer, remain an essential part of music history.
At the age of 82, renowned photographer Brian Smith has left an indelible mark on the world of British blues. His extensive collection of photographs, spanning over six decades, has not only documented some of America's most influential musicians but also played a pivotal role in shaping the genre.
Born and raised in Manchester, Smith's fascination with music began at a young age, when he witnessed Lonnie Donegan's skiffle group perform at the Chris Barber gig in 1954. This exposure would later become a defining moment in his life, as he became a huge fan of the blues and devoted himself to capturing its essence through his lens.
Throughout the 1960s, Smith traveled extensively, photographing icons like Howlin' Wolf, T Bone Walker, Sonny Boy Williamson, Chuck Berry, and Screamin' Jay Hawkins. His images appeared on album sleeves, magazine covers, and later on CDs and box sets, cementing his status as one of the most respected photographers in the industry.
As an unofficial in-house photographer at Manchester's Twisted Wheel club, Smith cultivated relationships with promoters and club owners, securing artist interviews and backstage passes that saved him a fortune in tickets. This astute networking strategy allowed him to chronicle some of the most pivotal moments in British blues history.
The late 1970s and 1980s saw a resurgence of interest in American blues and R&B, thanks in part to Smith's extensive archive. His photographs were snapped up by record companies, including MCA, Ace Records, and JSP Records, who utilized them for reissues and releases.
In recent years, Smith's contributions to the world of blues have been recognized through his book, "Boom Boom, Boom, Boom – American Rhythm & Blues In England 1962–1966," which features over 176 pages of photographs and stories. This publication is a testament to Smith's dedication to preserving the legacy of British blues.
Smith's passing leaves behind a legacy that will continue to inspire and educate fans of the genre. His photographs, now housed in esteemed institutions like Blues & Rhythm magazine, where he worked as a writer and photographer, remain an essential part of music history.
. It's crazy to think that the guy who took pics with legends like Howlin' Wolf and Chuck Berry is gone now. I mean, I remember watching documentaries on blues musicians when I was a kid, but this just makes me appreciate their music even more. Smith's work has definitely had an impact on the way we understand British blues history 
. His archive is still so valuable to music enthusiasts today. You know what's wild? Now his photos are being used by all these new labels and artists, so I guess you could say his legacy lives on through them 
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at 82, can you believe it? I mean, six decades of photography is no joke! He's basically the OG blues photographer, ya know? And to think he started following Lonnie Donegan back in '54... that's like, totally iconic stuff. The way he built those relationships with artists and promoters at the Twisted Wheel club was pure genius 
. I'm sure his archive is still giving us all so much amazing content, even after his passing. We should totes be thanking him for preserving that blues history for us 
anyway its sad that hes gone but we can still appreciate the work he did & keep his memory alive thru his pics.
, 82 is old but his photos are still sooo iconic 
brian smith's story is truly inspiring - he was like a behind-the-scenes ninja, getting access to exclusive interviews & backstage passes 
. and his archive is still helping shape our understanding of british blues today 
. i feel so lucky that we get to see his work in his book & online now 
... anyway, Brian Smith's legacy is just amazing - all those incredible photos of blues legends... you know, I was lucky enough to see some of those same bands live back in the day 
. His work really helped shape the British blues scene and it's still influencing new generations today 
. What I find really inspiring is how he used his connections and network to get behind-the-scenes access - talk about being proactive! 
he's got to be one of the coolest photographers out there, always on the scene, getting those legendary shots for album sleeves and whatnot. it's crazy how his work kept the genre alive in the late 70s and 80s, all those record companies snapping up his pics. his book is like a treasure trove of blues history, gotta respect that 
the fact that his legacy lives on through institutions like Blues & Rhythm mag is just icing on the cake 
what's the point of livin if you cant keep shootin pics all day tho 
but for real though smiths legacy is gonna live on thru his sick photography and i mean we're talkin album sleeves, mag covers, cds...the dude was a total rockstar 
btw who else remembers those skiffle gigs in 54?
and those album sleeve pics of Howlin' Wolf and Chuck Berry are straight fire 
. and now, with his book out, we get to see even more of these iconic pics – it's like a time capsule for music lovers 
. anyway, RIP Brian Smith – ur legacy will continue to rock on! 
. His book "Boom Boom" is like a time capsule for blues fans 
! I'm so glad he left behind this amazing legacy, and his pics will continue to inspire new generations of music lovers 
We'll miss him, but at least we've got his pics to keep us rockin' to the rhythm of the blues 
but have you seen the price of those old albums? They're like collecting dust on a shelf just waiting to be scratched, and we're paying £500 for them! Meanwhile Smith was out there getting those pics taken back in the day and actually making music history happen. And what's with this "boom boom" book? Sounds like some fancy marketing ploy to me... all I want is for someone to dig through that archive and find some decent shots, not just some overpriced collectible 
! I'm still amazed how he got those behind-the-scenes shots at the Twisted Wheel club - talk about networking skills 
. His book "Boom Boom" is a total treasure trove for blues fans 
. Smith's legacy is gonna keep inspiring new gen of music lovers, and we're all grateful for that 
just read about brian smith, blues photographer, and its crazy how one guy can capture the essence of blues across 6 decades 
️. Smith's contributions go way beyond just taking pictures – he helped shape the narrative of British blues and introduced a whole new generation to its rich soundtracks. He might be gone, but his legacy is still getting celebrated and shared with the world, so that's definitely something to vibe on 
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I'm so saddened to hear about Brian Smith's passing 
82 is old for a photographer, but it sounds like Brian Smith's legacy is still really cool 
... u gotta check out his book "boom boom" its a must for any blues fan!!! 