British Blues Pioneer Brian Smith Remembered Through His Timeless Images
Brian Smith, a stalwart figure of the British blues scene of the 1960s, has left an indelible mark on the genre through his captivating photographs. The 82-year-old had been instrumental in documenting the iconic American artists who graced the stages of Manchester's Twisted Wheel club and other UK venues during that era.
As a keen observer of the emerging blues scene, Smith was privileged to witness some of its most pivotal moments. He first caught wind of Lonnie Donegan's skiffle group at a 1954 Chris Barber gig, which piqued his interest in the blues. This exposure led him to become an ardent fan and eventually fuelled his passion for photography.
In the early 1960s, Smith made a name for himself as a prolific photographer of visiting American blues musicians, including T-Bone Walker, John Lee Hooker, and Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee. His shots of these legendary artists were featured on album sleeves, magazine covers, and later, CDs and box sets.
One notable instance was the 1962 American Folk Blues festival at the Manchester Free Trade Hall, where Smith captured iconic images of T-Bone Walker, John Lee Hooker, and other top blues acts. Mick Jagger, Brian Jones, and Jimmy Page were among those in attendance, and their presence underscores the significant impact Smith's photographs had on shaping the British blues scene.
As a skilled documentarian, Smith continued to chronicle the evolution of blues in the UK during the 1960s, covering numerous festivals and tours by lesser-known American artists. His work was instrumental in preserving the legacy of American Rhythm & Blues in England between 1962-1966, an era he captured with remarkable candour through his photographs.
While working as a humble Inland Revenue clerk, Smith maintained a secret passion for photography, often employing his skills to infiltrate exclusive events and secure behind-the-scenes access. This unorthodox approach allowed him to capture the authentic essence of these iconic performances.
Smith's dedication to the blues was further showcased in his published book, "Boom Boom, Boom, Boom – American Rhythm & Blues In England 1962–1966," which featured over 176 pages of photographs and stories that provide a glimpse into this pivotal period. His work continues to inspire new generations of blues enthusiasts.
In addition to his remarkable photography career, Smith played an important role in the establishment of R&B Scene magazine at Twisted Wheel club and maintained relationships with promoters and club owners, securing interviews and back-stage passes. This insider knowledge saved him a considerable amount of money on tickets, he revealed in hindsight.
Sadly, Brian Smith passed away recently, leaving behind a legacy that will continue to captivate audiences for years to come. His extraordinary photographs have cemented his place as one of the most significant documentarians of the British blues scene during its heyday.
Brian Smith, a stalwart figure of the British blues scene of the 1960s, has left an indelible mark on the genre through his captivating photographs. The 82-year-old had been instrumental in documenting the iconic American artists who graced the stages of Manchester's Twisted Wheel club and other UK venues during that era.
As a keen observer of the emerging blues scene, Smith was privileged to witness some of its most pivotal moments. He first caught wind of Lonnie Donegan's skiffle group at a 1954 Chris Barber gig, which piqued his interest in the blues. This exposure led him to become an ardent fan and eventually fuelled his passion for photography.
In the early 1960s, Smith made a name for himself as a prolific photographer of visiting American blues musicians, including T-Bone Walker, John Lee Hooker, and Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee. His shots of these legendary artists were featured on album sleeves, magazine covers, and later, CDs and box sets.
One notable instance was the 1962 American Folk Blues festival at the Manchester Free Trade Hall, where Smith captured iconic images of T-Bone Walker, John Lee Hooker, and other top blues acts. Mick Jagger, Brian Jones, and Jimmy Page were among those in attendance, and their presence underscores the significant impact Smith's photographs had on shaping the British blues scene.
As a skilled documentarian, Smith continued to chronicle the evolution of blues in the UK during the 1960s, covering numerous festivals and tours by lesser-known American artists. His work was instrumental in preserving the legacy of American Rhythm & Blues in England between 1962-1966, an era he captured with remarkable candour through his photographs.
While working as a humble Inland Revenue clerk, Smith maintained a secret passion for photography, often employing his skills to infiltrate exclusive events and secure behind-the-scenes access. This unorthodox approach allowed him to capture the authentic essence of these iconic performances.
Smith's dedication to the blues was further showcased in his published book, "Boom Boom, Boom, Boom – American Rhythm & Blues In England 1962–1966," which featured over 176 pages of photographs and stories that provide a glimpse into this pivotal period. His work continues to inspire new generations of blues enthusiasts.
In addition to his remarkable photography career, Smith played an important role in the establishment of R&B Scene magazine at Twisted Wheel club and maintained relationships with promoters and club owners, securing interviews and back-stage passes. This insider knowledge saved him a considerable amount of money on tickets, he revealed in hindsight.
Sadly, Brian Smith passed away recently, leaving behind a legacy that will continue to captivate audiences for years to come. His extraordinary photographs have cemented his place as one of the most significant documentarians of the British blues scene during its heyday.
He was an unsung hero 
, capturing the raw energy of blues legends on film. We'll miss his unique perspective 
. The fact that he came from a humble background & still managed to infiltrate exclusive events is pretty cool 
. His work not only preserved the UK blues scene but also gave us a glimpse into its golden era 
. It's sad that we won't get to see more of his photography, but at least we can appreciate what he left behind 
.
. smh @ ppl worshipping him like hes some kinda saint 
Can you believe this guy Brian Smith was like a spy at these iconic gigs, sneaking in behind-the-scenes shots that we still get to enjoy today? 
The fact that he was also involved with R&B Scene magazine at Twisted Wheel club just shows how dedicated he was to preserving this music scene. What's wild is that he even used his inexperience to get access to exclusive events - talk about a secret life! 
. His ability to capture the essence of legendary artists like T-Bone Walker and John Lee Hooker, while also documenting lesser-known American musicians, is a testament to his skill as a documentarian 
. The fact that he was able to infiltrate exclusive events and secure behind-the-scenes access, all while maintaining his secret passion for photography, is truly remarkable 
. His legacy will undoubtedly continue to inspire new generations of blues enthusiasts and music lovers alike 
.
Another photographer dies and all we're left with are old pics 
. Can't even view them without seeing ads pop up everywhere 
, what's wrong with YouTube premium or something? 
Anyway, Brian Smith was a legend in his own right, I guess... took some decent pics of American blues musicians back in the day 
. Can't even get behind-the-scenes content anymore without paying 
As a way to keep memory of Brian Smith, I think we should always remember that we are more than our jobs or positions, but rather the passion and talents we have inside us.
his pics are still fire even after all these yrs 
also sad that we missed him but his work lives on & will def inspire new gen blues fans 
Still can't believe what I just read about Brian Smith's life and work 
. And his photography skills? 
Unmatched. He really knew how to capture the essence of those iconic performances 
. That's what I call passion 
.
. Their legacy lives on, and we can all learn from their commitment and creativity 
.
i mean, who else but t-bone walker & john lee hooker could make a 60s brit band go wild? lol the fact that he snuck into exclusive events as an inland revenue clerk is pure genius 
his book boom boom, boom, boom is like a coffee table book come to life, i can already imagine me having it on my shelf 
what's next, doc? a blues-themed museum in manchester? 
especially those from the 1962 american folk blues fest i mean who knew mick jagger and jimmy page were at one of them too? 
Smith's stuff is still so iconic today, it's wild he was keeping that secret passion under wraps while working 9-to-5 
. But what's really interesting is that he wasn't just a photographer, he was also like an insider, knowing all the promoters and club owners 
. That's some behind-the-scenes access right there! 
Also, I love how his book "Boom Boom, Boom, Boom" is still inspiring new blues fans today 
It's crazy that someone as humble as him (working at Inland Revenue and all) was leading a secret life behind the lens. His book "Boom Boom, Boom, Boom" is on my wishlist now 
. The man was a true pioneer in capturing the magic of blues music through his lens, and his work still holds up today 
.
. I mean, I've known about Brian Smith's work forever! He was always a bit behind-the-scenes, but his pics are iconic, no doubt. I remember seeing those same shots of T-Bone Walker and John Lee Hooker in my dad's old blues record collection 
. It's cool that he got recognized for his contributions to the British blues scene, though. But let's be real, someone should've mentioned him when he was still alive 
and where are the photos? i want to see those iconic images of T-Bone Walker and John Lee Hooker in all their glory