For the second week in a row, we’re in West London for our legendary London band (last week it was The Clash, click HERE) but for our sleeve shot we’re in an anonymous but atmospheric London location.
Just as the gritty alley on The Clash’s debut album introduced the band as outlaw punks, so too does The Who’s debut sleeve send a clear signal of intent.
Shot by David Wedgbury at Surrey Docks, Rotherhithe in November 1965, the placement of the band amid oil drums suggests that flammable material can be found on the record. An apt metaphor for not just My Generation, but for The Who’s long, loud, explosive career.
The area today is Surrey Quays (with its own station on the Jubilee Line extension) a largely residential area.
The band had already worked with Wedgbury, back in March of the same year, and it is a shot from that earlier session that adorns the U.S version of the sleeve (below). Another U.S connection can be found in Rotherhithe: The Mayflower sailed from there to Southampton before embarking on its famous journey west.
You can buy My Generation on CD HERE.
Join the Rock’n'Roll London Walk on
Friday at 2pm, meeting at Tottenham Court Road Station (Exit 3) –
to book a Private Walk call 020 7642 3978 or email [email protected]
