TOM WRIGHT
Born in Alabama in 1944, Wright studied photography at England’s Ealing Art School in the early 1960s. It was there that he met Pete Townshend, who would go on to be the founder of The Who. Their friendship grew from a shared passion for music, and Wright’s extensive and eclectic music collection became a significant influence on Townshend’s artistic development. Wright became The Who’s official photographer in 1967 and chronicled the group’s explosive rise. Townshend later noted, “One thing is certain, had I not met Tom Wright, The Who would never have become successful. We would have remained a solid little pop band doing what hundreds of others were doing around the same time.”
We’re proud to present a collection of co-signed prints, chosen by Pete Townshend, and co-signed by Pete Townshend and Tom Wright
Staff Picks
Pete Townshend of The Who, Civic Arena, Pittsburgh Sept 3, 1967 taken on the first US tour with Herman’s Hermits July to September 1967
Co-signed limited edition print signed, by Pete Townshend & Tom Wright, limited edition of 10 copies only
Digital Silver gelatin archival prints on 100% Cotton Rag Platine 310gsm - paper size 16 x 20”
Pete Townshend of The Who "If The Hat Fits" taken during an outdoor photo session Jackson, Mississippi August 2, 1967 Special co-signed limited edition, image selected by Pete Townshend.
Pete picked this photo because it made him smile and seemed so different from their normal attire they wore on stage. He told me he doesn’t remember where the hat came from or went to, but reminded him of good times with Tom.
Co-signed limited edition print signed, by Pete Townshend & Tom Wright, limited edition of 10 copies only
Digital Silver gelatin archival prints on 100% Cotton Rag Platine 310gsm - paper size 16 x 20”
The Who performed at the Singer Bowl in Flushing Meadows Park, Queens, New York, as part of the New York Rock Festival on August 2, 1968. They were the second act on the bill, following Elephant's Memory (John Lennon ended up producing them later) and preceding The Doors. The show was known for its revolving stage and the intense atmosphere, which included a melee caused by a long wait between the Who and Jim Morrison and the Doors coming onstage. A riot following The Doors' performance. This is the story that Pete told me in London …. Jim was pretty bloated at that stage he had the big bushy beard and was walking around New York without a shirt and people were talking about him as a messiah.
“That tour I was in the middle of writing Tommy and was working on that while we traveled in support of The Doors. Just as The Doors were about to play and Jim appeared on stage a young woman jumped up on stage to touch Jim’s face. A security guard grabbed her and threw her off the stage and she hit something as she fell and gashed her face and head. She was pretty smashed up. We asked them to bring her over the barriers so she could get some first aid. When Jim came off the stage I approached him and asked if he’d seen what happened. He had and wasn’t happy with the way the security had handled it. I told him we had her backstage and it would mean a lot if he could spend some time with her. He said of course and we chatted to her for a while. That image stuck in my mind and became the inspiration for the song Sally Simpson on Tommy” - Pete Townshend.
Co-signed limited edition print signed, by Pete Townshend & Tom Wright, limited edition of 10 copies only
Digital Silver gelatin archival prints on 100% Cotton Rag Platine 310gsm - paper size 16 x 20”
TOM WRIGHT Print Information
Co-signed limited edition print, hand signed by Pete Townshend & Tom Wright, limited edition of 10 copies only
Digital Silver gelatin archival prints on 100% Cotton Rag Platine 310gsm - paper size 16 x 20”
NOTE: Measurements quoted are paper size, with the printed image being slightly smaller to create a natural border to house the photographer’s signature and edition number