The Look of Love: Photographer Brian Griffin on shooting Depeche Mode, the Bunnymen, Kim Wilde and the stars of 1980s Pop
There were so many nightmares,” Brian Griffin tells me. “People who cared about their hair too much. People who were totally uninterested in being photographed.
“There would have always been a member of the band who was a pain in the arse. There would have been a member of the band who looked awful, who was not very photogenic …” He thinks about that a moment and then adds, “It would generally be the drummer.”
Back in the day Griffin took pictures of pop stars. You will have seen them. You might even own some of them. His work appeared in music magazines (the Face, i-D, NME) and on single bags and album covers. If you were buying records at the end of the 1970s or at the start of the 80s it’s more than likely you will know Griffin’s images. Elvis Costello on a diving board (a picture that features in the inner sleeve of Armed Forces), Echo and the Bunnymen snowed in in Iceland (the cover of their album Porcupine) or on a beach in Porthcawl (Heaven Up Here), a topless Billy Idol (for the cover of his album Rebel Yell). All of them bear Griffin’s signature.
• Continue reading at Herald Scotland. ‘Pop’, by Brian Griffin and Terry Rawlings, is published on 31st October and is available to pre-order at Amazon – Click on the photo above. (Photo © Brian Griffin)
This year’s North East Ladies Day Anniversary Luncheon took place on Wednesday 20th September 2017 at the prestigious Hardwick Hall Hotel and it was an amazing day, enjoyed by over 500 ladies. This marked our 35th Annual Luncheon since NELD began in 1981. The day was superbly hosted by Toyah Willcox who filled the room with laughter and joy throughout her entire talk. Toyah gave the audience insight into her very successful acting and singing career, ending her speech with a live performance of It’s a Mystery.
Each of our ladies enjoyed a beautiful three course lunch and had the full day to shop and win prizes at over 20 different stalls. Our Grand Prize Draw also offered over 15 ladies the opportunity to win a wonderful prize too.
• Continue reading at NELD. (Photo © NELD)
Toyah played a Classics, Hits & Surprises concert at the McMillan Theatre, Bridgwater in Somerset on Saturday night. Thanks to Angus for the photo. (Photo © Angus Turner)
See further information on The Reunion at toyahwillcox.com. (Photo © BBC)
Fantastic shot of Toyah onstage at Evesham Arts Centre earlier this month, for an Acoustic, Up Close & Personal date. Please click on the photo to view a larger version. (Photos © Angus Turner)
New photos and new, confirmed, live dates – Acoustic, Up Close & Personal; Classics, Hits & Anthems; and a number of festivals – are now online at toyahwillcox.com and official Toyah social spaces. Click below to visit the website. (Photo © Official Toyah)
Great photos by Damon King from Toyah Willcox and the Great British Panto, the festive event held at the V&A, London last Tuesday evening. Click below to view more photos from the discussion between Toyah and Simon Sladen. (Photos © Damon King)
Great article, by Liam Rudden, in yesterday’s Edinburgh Evening News (see above), which also solved the longtime “mystery” of this photo – “No stranger to Edinburgh, one of Toyah’s earliest visits was in May 1978, when she caught up with Colin Chisholm of Bilbo Baggins (pictured) for the premiere of Jubilee.” – Thanks Liam
Amazing new photo of Toyah!! Part of the promotion for her wardrobe sale of iconic items at Lovely’s Vintage Emporium. Check out Toyah’s Official Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and the News at toyahwillcox.com to stay up-to-date with all that’s currently happening – gigs, tours, films, theatre, fashion, TV, radio – during a very busy September. (Photo © Official Toyah)
A selection of photos shared over the last few days by Toyah/Official Toyah:
1. Some intriguing news coming tomorrow…. #fashion, 2. A new photo from Gary Clutterbuck’s recent photo shoot, revealed today to promote the 80s Invasion Tour ticket pre-sale opening, 3. Toyah tweeted yesterday: “A hot day on HOUND….but lots of fun“, 4. Toyah and Alec Porter, lead actor from Crime and Punishment. Click below to visit Toyah @ Instagram. (Photos © 1/3/4. Toyah Willcox, 2. Gary Clutterbuck)
Photos of Toyah from last weekend (Saturday 30th July) at The Spa, Bridlington. A Proud, Loud & Electric night of music, which included Rebel Run, Obsolete, Be Proud Be Loud (Be Heard), Brave New World, Jungles Of Jupiter and Danced in the set-list. Thanks to Ray for the info and photos. Click below to view larger versions. (Photos © Ray Sears)
Toyah (Alice Meynell) and Gary Shail (Wilfred Meynell) on the set of Hound. Stay updated on the film’s progress. Browse all of Dreamscape’s Hound news. (Photo © Wet Paint Theatre Films)
More great shots of Toyah’s Proud, Loud & Electric gig at Hole In The Roof, Deal on June 26th. Thanks to Angus for the photos. Click below to view larger versions. (Photos © Angus Turner)
Great photo of Toyah and Gary Shail on the set of Hound: “Toyah Willcox has started filming historic drama HOUND. Corsets, pin curls and poetry!”. (Photo courtesy of DAA Management)
Thanks to Brian for this fantastic colourful shot of Toyah onstage last night at Hole In The Roof in Deal, Kent for a Proud, Loud & Electric gig. (Photo © Brian Marsh)
Things you thought you would never see #19 – Toyah wearing a Bird in Flight t-shirt!!! :) This is the new 2016 official design which will be on sale at Toyah’s acoustic and electric gigs this year. See Toyah’s tweet by clicking below. (Photo © Toyah Willcox)
Toyah with Caroline Munro, of James Bond and Hammer Horror films fame, at Saturday’s Viva Blackpool event. (Photo © Lindsay Peebles | Thanks also to Damon King)
Something you don’t see every day – The Toyah band 1981 reunited for first time in 34 years! Joel Bogen, Nigel Glockler, Adrian Lee, Phil Spalding. Not in the same room altogether since a promotional TV appearance for Thunder In The Mountains in Germany, September 1981. Brilliant! One of the best posts in our, almost, 16 years of news. (Thanks to Official Toyah)
Toyah is currently onstage at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern, London. Here’s a pic! (Photo © RVT)
Presenters Alex Jones and Matt Baker with Toyah, Simon Le Bon and John Taylor at The One Show on Tuesday. “Tonight we were joined by the 80s pop legends Duran Duran and Toyah Willcox, they had a quick look back at their iconic fashion style and retro pictures”. (Photo © BBC)
A brilliant photo from last night, tweeted by Toyah this morning: “My first Premiere in Leicester Square was fabulous. Thank you to everyone at @Film4FrightFest“. (Photo © Toyah Willcox)
