Review: 50 Years Of The Who. Colin Jones.

by | Feb 6, 2014

Musical history drips off the walls here in Camden. On my way to Proud Galleries, which is tucked neatly into the famous Stables market, I know that all around me there are any number of struggling artists fervently paying their dues in the basements and bars of the area.

I also stroll past hundreds of people queuing in the rain for an impromptu club gig by megastar Prince at the local Electric Ballroom. A weighty juxtaposition – but one that this particular hub of north London shrugs and carries lightly as if to say: “This is Camden Town. What did you expect?”.

Fifty Years of The Who by Colin Jones, Proud Camden, 6th February - 23rd March 2014, www.proud.co.uk

Fifty Years of The Who by Colin Jones, Proud Camden, 6th February – 23rd March 2014, www.proud.co.uk. Photo by Imelda Michalczyk.

What better place, then, for renowned music photographer Colin Jones to launch an exhibition dedicated to one of the biggest and best bands the capital has produced? Jones photographed The Who on tour, in rehearsal and simply getting out of bed in the morning, during the 1960s.

He captured ‘Swinging London’ through his images of the band at work and rest and through oddly touching photos of fans at the shows.

The exhibition concentrates on classic black and white imagery, with just the odd colour photo – most notably a famous and striking shot of the band posing for the cover of The Observer, with a union jack flag behind them and guitarist Pete Townshend sporting a union jack jacket.

Fifty Years of The Who by Colin Jones, Proud Camden, 6th February - 23rd March 2014, www.proud.co.uk

Fifty Years of The Who by Colin Jones, Proud Camden, 6th February – 23rd March 2014, www.proud.co.uk. © Colin Jones.

This is the image that Colin himself picks out as his favourite, when I chat to him at the opening night of the exhibition. I ask why this particular photo is his favourite and he tells me that it was due to a frenzied last minute change to the brief for the photo shoot. “It was supposed to be in black and white. But I got a call at the last minute and they wanted colour for the cover.” I ask if that inspired the use of the red, white and blue flag theme, which would have been somewhat lost in a black and white photograph. “Yes,” laughs Colin. “Keith (Moon, the band’s drummer) stole the flag for the backdrop from the outside of the hotel in Manchester.” A time when rock star behaviour truly paid off, it would seem!

The exhibition also features photos of the band in more personal moments at home, including singer Roger Daltrey answering the phone whilst shaving, Pete Townshend sitting in front of his broken guitars that he’s hung up on his wall and an unforgettable image of bassist John Entwistle sitting on the carpet at home practising bass, whilst his mother sits on a chair next to him sewing some clothes.

Fifty Years of The Who by Colin Jones, Proud Camden, 6th February - 23rd March 2014, www.proud.co.uk

Fifty Years of The Who by Colin Jones, Proud Camden, 6th February – 23rd March 2014, www.proud.co.uk. © Colin Jones.

For a window into The Who on and off stage during their early years, this is a rewarding exhibition. And if you pop along to see a gig in the locale afterwards you might even catch the next Daltrey, Townshend, Entwistle or Moon.

Fifty Years of The Who by Colin Jones will run from 6 February to 23 March 2014 at Proud Galleries, Stables Market, Chalk Farm Road, London NW1 8AH.
www.proud.co.uk

Review: Fifty Years of The Who.Colin Jones. by Imelda Michalczyk on 5 February 2014, London.

Liang Lawrence (Ana Chen)

Liang Lawrence Unveils Reflective New Single ‘A Day Off In Margaritaville’ Ahead Of Autumn UK Tour

Rising alt-pop storyteller Liang Lawrence has shared her shimmering new single A Day Off In Margaritaville, a vibrant, emotionally layered track that marks the first offering from her upcoming EP It’s A Funny Thing, due later this year via The Other Songs.

Mae Stephens (Hannah Burton)

Mae Stephens Returns With Infectious New Single ‘Tiny Voice’

Breakout pop star Mae Stephens is back with a bang as she drops her irresistibly offbeat new single, Tiny Voice — a track as addictive as it is relatable. Following the runaway global success of her hit If We Ever Broke Up, which racked up over 500 million streams, landed her a Top 15 UK single, and earned Gold certifications in both the UK and US, Stephens continues to show why she’s one of the most exciting new voices in pop.

Maya Lane (Press)

Maya Lane Announces New Single ‘I Don’t Know You Yet’ And Debut London Headline Show Ahead Of New EP

Rising UK pop-country star Maya Lane continues her impressive 2025 trajectory with the release of a stunning new single, I Don’t Know You Yet, out now. The introspective, stripped-back track offers a poignant taste of her forthcoming EP, The Hurt And The Healing, due out on 4th September, and precedes her debut headline show at London’s The Grace on 3rd September.

Perera Elsewhere (Hugo Holger Schneider x Gene Glover)

Perera Elsewhere Returns With Electrifying Double Single Ft. Andy S & Announces New Album

Berlin-based, UK-raised experimental artist Perera Elsewhere (aka Sasha Perera) is back with a high-voltage double single, F*ck Le System / Time Will Tell, out now on Friends Of Friends – both featuring viral Ivorian rapper Andy S. The release serves as a bold statement on feminine strength, social rebellion, and sonic experimentation.

Don McLean @ The Long Road Festival (Press)

The Long Road Festival 2025 Assembles Its Biggest Line-Up Yet For August Bank Holiday Weekend

Now entering its sixth and most ambitious year to date, The Long Road Festival 2025 is set to deliver its boldest celebration of country, Americana, and roots music yet, taking over the scenic Stanford Hall in Leicestershire from 22nd–24th August. With more than 80 artists across six stages, the weekend promises an immersive blend of genre-spanning music, authentic Americana culture, and inclusive community spirit — and has already become the festival’s fastest-selling edition to date.

Stevie Wonder @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Bethan Miller-Carey)

A Night In Wonderland: Stevie Wonder And Guests Delight At BST Hyde Park 2025

“Awwwwight!” drawls Stevie Wonder, arms flung wide, grinning like a teenager trying on cockney charm for the first...
Neil Young @ BST Hyde Park (Trudi Knight)

Dance, Shadow And Harvest Under The Full Moon: Van Morrison, Yusuf Islam And Neil Young And The Chrome Hearts At BST Hyde Park 2025

Gone are the sparkled cowgirls and pop princesses of previous BST gigs. It’s the turn of the Baby Boomer generation to make up the core crowd of Hyde Park – a sea of grey hair, straw hats, and sensible shoes. They reapply sun cream religiously, have brought picnic blankets, and can be forgiven for taking their time getting up and down from the ground between acts. This is the generation that invented outdoor rock and folk festivals – and they’re here to show the rest of us how it’s done.

Poptones (Rune Gro-Nielsen)

Poptones Play Their Wild Card With New Single ‘Say Something Now’ Ahead of Forthcoming Album ‘Pure’

Danish experimental rock trio Poptones have unveiled their new single Say Something Now, offering a taste of the unpredictability and emotional depth that defines their upcoming sophomore album Pure, out 26th September via Happy Metal Records. Where lead single Skin Of Sea teased a shift toward expansive and instinctive composition, Say Something Now dives headlong into that experimental impulse—guided, intriguingly, by the rules of UNO. Yes, the beloved card game.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This

Share Thing