Terence Spencer: a new exhibition of Britain's coolest photographer

RaF fighter, War photographer, Friend of the rich and famous… Terence Spencer enjoyed one hell of a life. See for yourself at a new retrospective

by Max Williams

Sir Richard Branson, 1985

Branson is sitting in his bath on his canal boat in Little Venice. Spencer also photographed him on his farm in the English countryside. Here, Branson would have ‘open house’ at weekends, so any of his staff could go there to swim, ride, play tennis and relax.

The Smiths, 1985

This photograph of The Smiths was taken in their mid-1980s pomp, the year the band recorded their only UK number one album, Meat Is Murder. Johnny Marr and an uncharacteristically winsome Morrissey dominate the foreground.

Sir Roger Moore, 1987

The late Sir Roger Moore, with himself as 007 on the wall behind. Moore smoked cigars in a number of his roles – including Bond – although Tony Curtis persuaded him to give up cigarettes in 1971.

The Beatles, 1964

Spencer toured with the Beatles for six months, during which time he helped Ringo with his own photography collection (as well as amassing more than 5,000 negatives). He was introduced to the band by his daughter, a huge fan.

Robert Plant, 1976

Here the Led Zeppelin lead singer is walking through his own farmland in Herefordshire. Plant trained to be a chartered accountant, but only lasted two weeks. Audit’s loss was music’s gain.

Marianne Faithfull

When Spencer shot Marianne Faithfull, she was living on low funds in London. Spencer’s wife accompanied him on this shoot – and took Marianne to Boots to buy some make-up before the photoshoot started.

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Published: Tuesday 27th June 2017

Culture

Terence Spencer may have spent half a lifetime photographing the rich and famous, but his own remarkable life stood comparison with any of his subjects.

Born during a Zeppelin raid in 1918, Spencer flew Spitfires for the RAF during the second world war, and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Croix de Guerre for his airborne heroics.

After the war, Spencer managed to find a job that kept him at the centre of the action. He became a photographer for LIFE magazine, documenting major events and crises in areas of conflict across the globe. And you act like working in finance is a risky gig.

Spencer went on to capture 1960s Britain in all its rebellious glory, photographing a range of subjects, from the decade’s icons to the person on the street. He jokingly suggested this proved the most dangerous period of his life. After escaping numerous conflicts unscathed, the photographer claimed: “The only time I was ever hurt was when I was attacked by Paul McCartney after I discovered his hideaway in Scotland.”

Now Proud Camden is exhibiting the work of this remarkable man. Terence Spencer: A Lasting Impression delves into Spencer’s extensive archive to show one of the most thrilling periods of British history through his own incomparable lens. With portraits of everyone from Muhammad Ali to Marianne Faithfull, this retrospective should prove suitable swinging. Go and pay your respects.

Terence Spencer: A Lasting Impression is on at Proud Camden from 1 June-20 August 2017, proud.co.uk

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