17 Comments
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Wendy Varley's avatar

How fascinating that the brilliant cover photo on Twist and Shout came from a photo shoot for Boyfriend magazine. What an image!

Thanks so much for the kind mention, Mike. Teenage magazines had real reach and influence for several decades. Such a big part of youth culture.

Mike Press's avatar

A massive part of youth culture indeed, but more of a footnote in many of the histories, which really needs to change.

Margaret Bennett's avatar

It was fun to read this. I never knew anything about that image but it’s been familiar to me for a long time. I can imagine the scene very clearly now, thank you.

I’ve never heard of Fiona. A great shot.

Thanks also for the mention Mike, it’s most appreciated.

Mike Press's avatar

You’re welcome! I never knew about the detail of the photoshoot until this week. And I never knew the significance of the building on Kingly Street.

Jules's avatar

Such a perfectly composed photo, and it perfectly summarises the explosion of pop/youth culture out of post-war austerity. No wonder it made such a deep impression on you, Mike. Fiona Adams was clearly a marvellous photographer. Thanks for introducing me to her.

Mike Press's avatar

Glad you enjoyed it. Such a brilliant photo.

Matt Brown's avatar

Wonderful stuff, thank Mike (just catching up after neglecting my reading!). Very interested to learn this was on the corner of Gower Street and Euston Road. Do you happen to know which corner? Looking on the bomb-damage maps and the RAF aerial maps (1945-49) it looks like all four corners of the crossroads survived the war relatively intact, although the north-east corner is the most likely. (I was hoping it'd be the south-east corner, because then they'd be on the footprint of the Wellcome Trust building, right about where this very 'twisty' sculpture now hangs https://www.ormiston-wire.co.uk/case-studies/thomas-heatherwicks-bleigiessen-sculptureheatherwick-bleigiessen/

Mike Press's avatar

Thank you Matt, glad you enjoyed it. I’m afraid I’ve no idea which corner. However, I remember reading something a few years back where one of the Fabs mentioned a photoshoot in a bomb site at the top of Tottenham Court Road, which of course is just a block away. Definitely in that area. The aerial maps may offer more of a clue.

Frances's avatar

Thank you for this – it brings together so many different things I'm interested in (bomb sites, The Beatles, teen girl magazines). The energy of that photo!

Mike Press's avatar

Thank you Frances. So pleased you found the piece of interest.

Rosalind's avatar

Loved reading this, Mike, the photo to me shows freedom, joy, youth, new things... just fantastic. Thank you for giving the photographer - Fiona Adams - the credit she deserves.

Mike Press's avatar

Thank you Rosalind

Anna Sayburn Lane's avatar

It's a glorious photograph. Wonderful to learn about the woman behind the lens.

Mike Press's avatar

Thank you Anna!

Eva's avatar

Fascinating deep dive, the history behind this cover was completely new to me!

Mike Press's avatar

New to me too. I discovered the story somewhat randomly!

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Feb 14
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Mike Press's avatar

Thank you Andy.