‘The glory days of Music TV’: Riverside Studios exhibit rare photographs of icons from Elton John to The Cranberries
From Elton John to the Cranberries, Riverside Studios is unlocking an unseen archive of photographs of some of the most iconic faces in music for a free exhibition.
Music Seen: Recording artists on and off camera at Riverside and beyond, is open to the public until June 1, at Riverside Studios in Queen Caroline Street, Hammersmith.
The exhibition showcases the archive of photographer Mark Allan, featuring rarely seen images taken from Top of the Pops – recorded at Riverside Studios – which welcomed stars including Elton John and Sophie Ellis-Bextor and bands including The Cranberries and Ash.
Artistic director Rachel Tackley said: “Music Seen will use the powerful, dynamic photography of the hugely talented photographer Mark Allan, to capture the glory days of Music TV, and we’re thrilled that Riverside Studios features so heavily as the filming location of Top of the Pops and Re:covered, hosted by a young Dermot O’Leary.”
Riverside Studios has been given unprecedented access to Mr Allan’s archive, who spent the past twenty years shooting some of the most iconic faces in music in recording and rehearsal.
Riverside Studios has a history of hosting television broadcasts, election coverage and studio recordings, and has been the home of one of Britain’s best-loved music programmes, Top of the Pops.
The venue, located on the site of a former Victorian iron works, is one of the most historic production suites in the UK, with the BBC using it as a central hub for some of its earliest television broadcasts more than 50 years ago.
The building hosts three studios that are used for television, theatre and film. For the last 45 years, it has served as an arts centre.
Music Seen: Recording artists on and off camera at Riverside and beyond, is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund as a part of Riverside Studios’ heritage project.
Pictured top: Tim Wheeler from Top of the Pops (Picture: Mark Allan)