Pennie smith photographer biography video

In May 2007, I went to take pictures of the Welsh rock band Manic Street Preachers for a long-term project shooting bands at soundcheck.

For a big chunk of my career as a journalist, I’d been a music writer; as my interest in film photography grew, I chose a long-term project that would happily combine music and photography.

The Manics were playing a string of London club dates to support their latest album, ‘Send Away The Tigers’. I turned up with my usual set-up for the project at the time – a Voigtlander Bessaflex TM with a couple of lenses and a Nikon F100 with a 28-70/2.8 lens or an 85/1.8.

I shot what I could during the soundcheck – pretty short, as the band already knew the venue and were pretty tight – and because I had a photo pass and a couple of rolls still to shoot, I thought I’d finish them shooting the band during the first three songs. Usually I’ve finished my photography by the time the band starts the gig, so I can just enjoy the show.

There were of course, a host of other photographers shooting the show, but this being 2007, I thought I would be the only one still shooting film. I was wrong.

Also in the pit was a black-haired woman snapping away on an old-school Pentax around her neck. I knew I recognised her face, and as we waited for the band to take to the stage I racked my brains to try and remember who it was.

Pennie Smith.

I worked at the NME in the mid-90s, one of a pair of Kiwis tasked with setting up their website (which they duly placed in a side room, away from the ‘proper’ editorial) and remember taking the lift one day with my boss, in there was a photographer he warmly greeted as “Pennie”. They knew each other well, and I suddenly realised I was sharing a lift with the woman who had shot possibly the greatest rock ‘n’ roll photograph of all time: the picture that become the cover of The Clash’s 1980 album ‘London Calling’.

Smith was stood on the side of the stage that fateful night bass player Paul Simonon smashed his g

  • Pennie smith photos

    • Pennie Smith

    Writing in the NME in December 1978 Pennie stated:

    I take photographs. I am not in the rock business to perpetuate intentionally glossy images – the only thing that should do that is a mirror.

    Perhaps best known for her pictures of The Clash – “they know that photography is not about presenting the best profile.” She hit the nail on the head when she said “Live pictures are basically luck plus a quick trigger finger.”

    Pennie worked on NME as staff photographer until the early 1980’s and published a best selling book The Clash, Before and After.

    Pennie’s photos were used for two iconic album sleeves – London Calling (see below) and she was also chosen by the Slits to do their iconic nude Cut photographs after it all went pear-shaped with Dennis Morris.

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    Leah takes us on the journey into The Only Band That Matters and their iconic photo. That’s right, we’re talking about Pennie Smith’s photo of the London Calling album by The Clash. Did you know that photo nearly never happened? The story is incredible!

    Show Notes & Extras

    • This month’s Gal-Pals are: Dr. Leah Leach, Bonnie Fillenwarth, Katie Harris and Jenn Berk
    • Bonnie already talked about Dr. Katie Bouman
    • Get to know you question – what rock n’ roll photography comes to mind?
    • Leah gives examples (pics below)
    • Leah’s 1 Cool Photographer is Pennie Smith
    • The Only Band that Matters – The Clash
    • Pennie took the iconic photo of the London Calling Album
    • Twickenham Art School
    • Frenz magazine
    • First tour gig – Led Zeppelin
    • 1975 Earl’s Court pictures (below)
    • NME
    • Gonzo Journalism
    • 1976 the road to the photograph
    • The photo that nearly never happened
    • “Better Shapes”
    • American tour
    • NYC Palladium
    • 21st Night of September
    • Paul was in a bad mood
    • Bouncers
    • “In the blast zone”
    • Looking for an album cover
    • “You’re Bloody album!”
    • Other bands who mentioned the photo
    • What Penny thought of the photo in 2019
    • Voted greatest photo
    • Side bits
    • See the smashed guitar
    • the watch
    • London Calling was recorded in August 1979 (42 years ago!!!!)
    • Joe Strummer’s birthday is August 21
    • Neil Diamond
    • Hivemind help on Zeppelin timing
    • The Ramones
    • Tom Waits
    • Oasis
    • “People not business”
    • Playful

    Images

    Video

    About The Gal’s Guide Podcast

    What if you could only share 1 cool thing about a topic? Would it be about ancient history? Would it be breaking news? Would it be safe for work? A group of gals gathers to present to you one cool thing on topics like painting, gaming, movies, music and more.

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