British blues photographer Brian Smith has left an indelible mark on the music world with his iconic images of legendary artists. His work, spanning over six decades, captured the essence of the genre, from the 1960s American Folk Blues festival to the UK's thriving blues scene in the following years.
Smith's journey began at a young age when he witnessed Lonnie Donegan's skiffle group perform at a Chris Barber gig, cementing his interest in blues music. He went on to photograph icons like T Bone Walker, John Lee Hooker, and Howlin' Wolf, as well as lesser-known artists, all while honing his craft with an Ilford Sportsman camera.
The 1960s saw Smith become the unofficial photographer of Manchester's Twisted Wheel club, where he cultivated relationships with promoters and club owners, securing artist interviews and backstage passes. This insider knowledge allowed him to capture intimate moments with music legends like Little Richard, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Muddy Waters, and Johnny "Guitar" Watson.
Smith's photographs adorned album sleeves, magazines, CDs, and box sets, including the 16-disc Berry box set issued by Germany's Bear Family records in 2014. His book, Boom Boom, Boom, Boom – American Rhythm & Blues In England 1962–1966, featured 176 pages of photos and stories, shedding light on the UK's thriving blues scene during this period.
A stalwart behind the lens, Smith spent over four decades documenting his passion for blues music. He worked with various record labels, including MCA, Ace Records, and JSP Records, providing them with his photographs to supplement their reissues and releases.
Smith's work continues to inspire new generations of music enthusiasts, and his legacy as a photographer will be remembered for years to come.
Smith's journey began at a young age when he witnessed Lonnie Donegan's skiffle group perform at a Chris Barber gig, cementing his interest in blues music. He went on to photograph icons like T Bone Walker, John Lee Hooker, and Howlin' Wolf, as well as lesser-known artists, all while honing his craft with an Ilford Sportsman camera.
The 1960s saw Smith become the unofficial photographer of Manchester's Twisted Wheel club, where he cultivated relationships with promoters and club owners, securing artist interviews and backstage passes. This insider knowledge allowed him to capture intimate moments with music legends like Little Richard, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Muddy Waters, and Johnny "Guitar" Watson.
Smith's photographs adorned album sleeves, magazines, CDs, and box sets, including the 16-disc Berry box set issued by Germany's Bear Family records in 2014. His book, Boom Boom, Boom, Boom – American Rhythm & Blues In England 1962–1966, featured 176 pages of photos and stories, shedding light on the UK's thriving blues scene during this period.
A stalwart behind the lens, Smith spent over four decades documenting his passion for blues music. He worked with various record labels, including MCA, Ace Records, and JSP Records, providing them with his photographs to supplement their reissues and releases.
Smith's work continues to inspire new generations of music enthusiasts, and his legacy as a photographer will be remembered for years to come.
I'm thinking what's up with all these old-school blues photographers still getting recognition now? Like, can't we celebrate their contributions without the whole "trailblazer" narrative? 
Brian Smith was definitely iconic, but there were others doing this kind of work too. And don't even get me started on how long it took for his book to come out – 176 pages of photos and stories! It's like he was holding back all that goodness until now 
. I wish we could be more nuanced in our appreciation for the artists who came before us 
man this guy Brian Smith was like the unsung hero of blues photography u know he spent his whole life capturing the essence of that genre from the 60s onwards and it's crazy to think about how many legends he shot pics of like Little Richard and Sister Rosetta Tharpe 
his work is still holding up today and I think what's really special is that he wasn't just a photographer but also kinda a behind-the-scenes player in the music scene, getting interviews and passes and stuff. it's like he was part of the story itself 
brian smith was more than just a photographer, he was a curator of cool vibes 
his pics have been with us for so long, and it's wild thinking about all the iconic artists he shot in the 60s like little richard and muddy waters 
i remember reading about how he got to hang out at twisted wheel club in manchester back in the day – talk about getting access 
his work is still holding up today, and its not just blues fans who appreciate it either – i've seen people from all genres geeking out over his pics 
anyway, smiths legacy is a reminder that photography has the power to transport us through time and space 
his pics are like, whoa! captured the essence of blues music in the 60s & beyond he was literally everywhere at these iconic clubs like twisted wheel & even got to shoot with legends like little richard & muddy waters 
i'm low-key obsessed with his work now can't wait to dive into his book boom boom, boom, boom 
And I love how he was able to capture the essence of the blues scene in the UK during the 60s - it's crazy to think that his pics are still inspiring new fans today 
I wish I could've seen some of those old-school blues festivals, but at least we can get a glimpse through his amazing work 
I think it's amazing how Brian Smith captured so much history through his lens, it's like he bottled up time and created these incredible stories about legendary artists. The way he connected with promoters and club owners to get those exclusive shots is just mind-blowing. His legacy will definitely keep the blues alive for years to come 
the whole thing about him having an Ilford Sportsman camera is so outdated lol what kind of photographer uses a 50-year-old camera these days 
OMG I'm so in awe of Brian Smith's incredible journey! 6 decades of capturing the essence of blues music is truly a testament to his passion & talent 
! Can you imagine witnessing some of these legendary artists perform live & getting to take their pics? Mind blown 
. And to think, his work went on to influence album sleeves, magazines, and even CDs! He's definitely left an indelible mark on the music world 
. And have you seen the pics of Little Richard and Sister Rosetta Tharpe? They're all so... staged 
. Plus, what's with all these record labels and their reissues and releases? Sounds like some kind of conspiracy to control the narrative on blues music 
He was literally everywhere when it comes to blues photography! I mean, can you imagine capturing pics of Little Richard and Muddy Waters backstage at Twisted Wheel club? 
. I mean, who knew blues music could be so cool back then? Anyway, it's sad he's not around anymore... but his work is still bringing the vibes 50 years later 
He had this amazing network of relationships with promoters and artists, which is pretty impressive.
I think his book Boom Boom, Boom, Boom is like a time capsule for anyone interested in blues music history - it's so cool to see all those photos and stories together!