Apparently it’s the most famous photo of The Smiths and that makes me smile …
It’s the band not the photo that’s classic! tho I love it that people enjoy the image years later and that I caught them at their magnificent peak.
To me I count myself so very lucky, as a huge fan to have got the opportunity to see and shoot the Smiths live and then to get to meet them and shoot the Salford Lads image.
The first Smiths live show I shot was in 1984 at the Free Trade Hall – I was so skint I could only afford one reel of film and had to walk a long way home. From this show I caught the shot of dead flowers hanging from his jeans. My favourite now is of Morrissey waving flowers above his head – I took it from the side of the stage hidden in the lighting rig . More live shows followed and then Rough Trade asked me to shoot a session …
The Salford Lads session was shot on a cold, dark, winter day – yet somehow it has a darkness that sets the right mood. It seems so casual and un-posed and in a way that’s just how it came together. It was a lucky opportunity for a novice photographer to be the only photographer there!
It was just The Smiths , Phil the guitar tech Pat Bellis the Rough Trade Press officer and the lovely George Pace who kindly came to help me
These days its been accepted as part of the collections of the National Portrait Gallery, the Manchester Art Gallery and the Salford Art Gallery. All rather funny when the original film was processed in a bedroom / darkroom, with the chemicals kept in old drinks bottles!
Years later I’ve got to go into the Salford Lads club and meet the people there, which has been a real honour . It’s a long trip but always fun and its been great to work together on several charity events .
These photos are now enjoyed as photographic prints all over the world , as well as being used in books and magazines.
I have been able to help good causes a little with some events in the past and by donating prints to charities . They have been part of the “Sound and Vision” exhibitions/Auctions at Abbey Road Studios in aid of Cancer Research and various other Charity auctions- I have given an image to the Salford Lads Club for a shirt until November 2015 to raise funds.
I enjoyed shooting these images 30 or so years ago and it’s great that they are still popular years on.
Of all the bands I shot it was The Smiths I loved seeing most and none of the albums really beat the atmosphere of their live shows.Bit by bit I am adding other artists to the collection .
So far U2 , Miles Davis , Prince , Madonna , John Lydon , Nina Simone , Gregory Isaacs , New Order…but more will follow
These days these images continue to crop up in magazines and books and remind me fondly of my time in Manchester. Many are available as prints which I sign and have been sent all over the world. I love the idea of my photos of my favourite band being framed and cherished. Prices start at £45 and each is produced on photographic paper and printed with a white border. I’m pleased that people enjoy them years later and also they have raised money for a variety of charities.
Stephen Wright photographer’s best photo shot – The Guardian Newspaper
Iconic photo image of The Smiths outside Salford Lads Club -The Independent Newspaper
I’m still enjoying working as a photographer and photograph portraits weddings and civil partnerships – anywhere really!
My current work is on www.wrightphoto.co.uk
Photos of Smiths fans at the Salford Lads club
www.guardian.co.uk – Smiths Fans
www.independent.co.uk- Smiths Fans