UNSEEN BEATLES PHOTOGRAPHS UNVEILED IN NEW EXHIBITION

The Beatles Unseen: Photographs by David Magnus’ is a moving documentation of the legendary band’s phenomenal ascent by photographer David Magnus, who bore witness to some of their greatest moments. This exhibition, featuring many previously unseen photographs, is a fascinating and deeply candid insight into The Beatles during a historic occasion taken at the world famous EMI Studio 1 in Abbey Road.

In 1963, at the age of 19, Magnus was invited to photograph a relatively unknown band, The Beatles, during a concert at Stowe School. This early work with the group allowed Magnus unprecedented access throughout their rise to fame, forming an illustrious portfolio encompassing many rare and unique images. Magnus’s close relationship with the band and their publicist, Tony Barrow, granted him exclusive access to record a pivotal moment in their career 50 years ago, when, on the weekend of 24th and 25th June 1967, The Beatles recorded their song ‘All you need is Love’ for the first time during a live broadcast for the BBC’s ‘Our World’, the World’s first live, international, satellite television production, reaching over 400 million people worldwide. Magnus documented rare, behind-the-scenes footage of this historical event, including wonderfully frank photographs of the band relaxing backstage away from the recording studio.

Speaking of the intensity of the band’s influence during that time, Magnus said, “As I came from the EMI canteen, one of the female studio staff stopped me, put a hand on my shoulder and said to me, “I must touch you as you’ve been in the same room as The Beatles.” It was as if I carried an aura from the Beatles. This to me sums up Beatlemania.’ This collection is a captivating archive of an event that was not only a first for The Beatles but a first for the era of television, which ignited a social revolution and created the universal anthem of its era.

Proud Chelsea will showcase a rare and remarkable collection of this unique photographic session of The Beatles by David Magnus, revealing the close bond between photographer and subject. Magnus’s extensive archive from this inimitable occasion highlights the band’s domineering presence and influence within the music industry whilst reflecting the recognition, admiration, and excitement that sparked the world-over across the last five decades.

Images courtesy of Proud Galleries © David Magnus

The Beatles Unseen: Photographs by David Magnus  Proud Chelsea 16th March 2017 – 14th May 2017 Times Monday to Saturday: 10 am to 7 pm Sunday 10 am till 6 pm Entry Free