Veteran photographer Brian Smith, a key figure in the British blues boom of the 1960s, has passed away at the age of 82. A pioneer in capturing iconic images of American blues and R&B artists, Smith's photographs continue to be celebrated for their defining impact on the music scene.
Born in Prestbury, Cheshire, Smith developed a passion for the genre after witnessing Lonnie Donegan's skiffle group perform live as an interval act at the Manchester Free Trade Hall in 1954. This encounter not only influenced his love for blues but also shaped his artistic vision.
Smith's photographic career took off in the early 1960s, with him attending the American Folk Blues festival at the Free Trade Hall in 1962. His photographs of T-Bone Walker, John Lee Hooker, and Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee from this event remain some of his most celebrated works.
Throughout the decade, Smith continued to document the lives of visiting blues, R&B, and rock 'n' roll artists, including Little Richard, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Muddy Waters, Johnny "Guitar" Watson, Bo Diddley, Howlin' Wolf, Little Walter, Berry, and Carl Perkins. His photographs adorned album sleeves and magazine covers, providing a visual representation of the era's musical landscape.
In addition to his freelance work, Smith was an official in-house photographer at the Twisted Wheel club in Manchester, where he cultivated relationships with promoters and club owners, securing artist interviews and backstage passes that saved him money on tickets. This early success laid the groundwork for his future collaborations with record companies, including MCA and labels like Ace and JSP Records.
Smith's legacy extends beyond his photographs, which have been reissued in various forms over the years. In 2014, a 16-disc box set of Chuck Berry's recordings was released, featuring approximately 50 of Smith's photographs taken during the artist's UK tours. This release further cemented Smith's contribution to the blues and R&B archives.
In recent years, Smith published his book "Boom Boom, Boom, Boom – American Rhythm & Blues In England 1962–1966," which showcased a collection of photographs and stories capturing the essence of this pivotal era in music history. His work continues to be celebrated by fans and industry professionals alike.
Smith is survived by his wife Shirley, their children, Gabrielle, Angela, Anthony, and Peter, as well as his sister Val.
Born in Prestbury, Cheshire, Smith developed a passion for the genre after witnessing Lonnie Donegan's skiffle group perform live as an interval act at the Manchester Free Trade Hall in 1954. This encounter not only influenced his love for blues but also shaped his artistic vision.
Smith's photographic career took off in the early 1960s, with him attending the American Folk Blues festival at the Free Trade Hall in 1962. His photographs of T-Bone Walker, John Lee Hooker, and Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee from this event remain some of his most celebrated works.
Throughout the decade, Smith continued to document the lives of visiting blues, R&B, and rock 'n' roll artists, including Little Richard, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Muddy Waters, Johnny "Guitar" Watson, Bo Diddley, Howlin' Wolf, Little Walter, Berry, and Carl Perkins. His photographs adorned album sleeves and magazine covers, providing a visual representation of the era's musical landscape.
In addition to his freelance work, Smith was an official in-house photographer at the Twisted Wheel club in Manchester, where he cultivated relationships with promoters and club owners, securing artist interviews and backstage passes that saved him money on tickets. This early success laid the groundwork for his future collaborations with record companies, including MCA and labels like Ace and JSP Records.
Smith's legacy extends beyond his photographs, which have been reissued in various forms over the years. In 2014, a 16-disc box set of Chuck Berry's recordings was released, featuring approximately 50 of Smith's photographs taken during the artist's UK tours. This release further cemented Smith's contribution to the blues and R&B archives.
In recent years, Smith published his book "Boom Boom, Boom, Boom – American Rhythm & Blues In England 1962–1966," which showcased a collection of photographs and stories capturing the essence of this pivotal era in music history. His work continues to be celebrated by fans and industry professionals alike.
Smith is survived by his wife Shirley, their children, Gabrielle, Angela, Anthony, and Peter, as well as his sister Val.
he must've seen so many legendary musicians live in one lifetime. i'm a big fan of the blues genre too 
and to think all these iconic images were captured by one person is just mind blown 
can you imagine what it was like back then? the energy, the music, the clothes... everything was just so different from now. but yeah, brian smith's legacy will live on through his photos, that's for sure 
he was a total legend in the music scene, especially when it came to capturing iconic blues & R&B artists on camera his pics are still so rad today, can't believe we're gonna miss him 
his work is like a time capsule of that era, and i'm obsessed with all the behind-the-scenes stories he shared in his book boom boom, boom, boom 
it's crazy to think about how much his photography influenced the music scene back in the day 
He was an iconic photographer who left a huge mark on the music scene. I mean, can you imagine walking into those legendary venues like the Twisted Wheel club or attending that American Folk Blues festival in 1962? The man had skills for real! His photos are still giving us blues and R&B vibes to this day 
. What a legend! He was so lucky to have been around the right people at the right time, capturing some of the most iconic blues and R&B moments of all time 
.
I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact that Brian Smith's photographs are finally getting the recognition they deserve after all these years. Like, think about it - this guy was snapping pics of Little Richard and Howlin' Wolf back in the day, and his work is still influencing music today 
It's crazy to imagine what could've been if he was still with us, but I guess that's just how it goes sometimes. His legacy lives on through his photos, though - we can all thank him for that 
he was a total legend 
smthng bout those blues & R n B pics tho... always brings me to the good ol days 
cant belive all those iconic artists r gone now 
that's a shame, he left behind some amazing pics of blues legends 
always fascinated by these old-school photographers who capture the essence of an era 
wish more people knew about him, maybe they could inspire some new talent 
Brian Smith was the real deal 
. But he nailed it. I mean, T-Bone Walker, John Lee Hooker... those guys are legends 
. His photos still give me chills, 50+ years later 
. The guy knew how to tell a story through his lens 
. Boom Boom, indeed 
but at least his work is still out there, inspiring new gen's to keep the blues alive 
Rest in peace, Brian 
People who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do 
Smith may be gone, but his photos and spirit live on 
like t-bone walker, john lee hooker & little richard 
his photography style is so raw & honest it's like you're right there in the room with him 
anyway, 82 yrs young is no joke 
but what a legacy he leaves behind 