0
An exhibition of previously unseen pictures by internationally renowned photographer Mike McCartney opened its doors this week.
The distinctive collection of images are from Mike’s extensive collection of A-list music stars.
The exhibition forms a who’s who of rock and roll, including U2’s Bono reading from a script by torchlight in the wings at the Brit awards, an intimate photo of an exhausted-looking Sandie Shaw, and a shot of the Soul Brother No.1 James Brown at one the last concerts before his death in December 2006.
The exhibition opened in Oxton Village, Wirral, Merseyside at The Inkwell Tattoo Studio and Gallery in Christchurch Road.
Other striking images include an intense shot of Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl and a brilliant image of Little Richard singing with his trademark vigour while jumping on a grand piano.
Sales of some of the prints on the opening night have already raised more than £1,200 for Mike’s chosen charity, Claire House Hospice.
The exhibition is held at the tattoo studio where Max McCartney, Mike’s 26-year-old son, works as a tattoo artist.
McCartney Snr found fame as a member of The Scaffold in the 1960s and 70s, and scored a number one hit in 1968 with Lily the Pink.
Nowadays Mike is more accustomed to exhibiting his photographs at prestigious places such as the Washington Smithsonian and the National Portrait Gallery.
The idea for the Oxton show came when son Max saw some of the pictures at home and thought they would be perfect for an exhibition at the Inkwell.
The exhibition is the precursor to a national one-man show that will be touring around 30 venues in April and May of next year.
The exhibition will be on display at the Inkwell for the next two weeks until Friday 8th November.