Rory Gallagher - Photo Finish era

I have had many emails from people asking me to get some more of the late legendary guitarist Rory Gallagher photos up on my site.
Rory Gallagher Band
Copyright 1978 Danny Clifford













So, i have just had a look through some of my negatives. I need to check the exact date of this photo shoot but it was the around 1977/78. Rory had just finished recording Photo Finish and we needed to get some shots for the sleeve of the album amongst other things.
Rory Gallagher Band
Copyright 1978 Danny Clifford



















Rory and his manager David Oddie asked me to meet up with Rory and his band, Ted McKenna and Gerry McAvoy in Victoria, London. We spent some time photographing them rehearsing. Then Rory and I decided to go off for a walk with the chaps and take some shots out in the street.
Rory Gallagher Band
Copyright 1978 Danny Clifford













We were in a nice little mews type of street, you know cobbled streets etc.

As soon as I get a chance I will dig out my real diary from the period and post all of the details of the shoot details on the correct date on my online diary.
Rory Gallagher Band
Copyright 1978 Danny Clifford













Rory, Ted and Gerry all had a fantastic sense of humour and like every time I was with them it was great fun. they were also , very professional when rehearsing.

By the way, if anyone steals, copies, lifts or whatever you want to call it, any of my images from my diary or site, beware, we will find you prosecute. You HAVE been warned.

Jimmy Page

I just found this photograph of my youngest son Sam Clifford and Jimmy Page that I took a couple of years ago when Jimmy and his family and mine were up in Suffolk at a charity event together.
Jimmy Page & Sam Clifford
Copyright 2008 Danny Clifford













I just had to put this up on my diary as I love the face Sam is pulling when Jimmy said "come on Sam, lets have a photo together" Sam looked horrified.. Mind you, he had no idea how much of a legend Jimmy is, even though, as a strange coincidence Sam has a T shirt that says Legends...

Adam Ficek Studio Shoot

Adam Ficek of Babyshambles arrived at my studio in Rickmansworth at 11am.
Adam Ficek
Copyright 2008 Danny Clifford

We chatted for a while about Babyshambles and what has been happening as well as Roses Kings Castles, which is Adam's side project.
Adam Ficek
Copyright 2008 Danny Clifford


















After that we pretty much got straight into taking photos. It is always a pleasure shooting Adam, he is a really nice guy and very professional. We did some shots of Adam with a Hofner guitar. He is actually a really good guitarist and he loves Hofner's.
Adam Ficek
Copyright 2008 Danny Clifford













I hear that more & more from guitarists now, there is something really stylish about Hofner guitars. Apparently the action and the way they play and sound is pretty cool . However, from my perspective, I like the way they look in my photos.

Back in the Studio

Well it's Sunday morning and I went back into the studio to remove all of my equipment. Well, before i did move it all out I did some quick shots of my youngest.
Sam Clifford Copyright 2008 Danny Clifford













He is pretty natural in front of a camera.

Sam Clifford Copyright 2008 Danny Clifford

I suppose he should to be, as he wants to be an actor. The plan then was him to help me remove all of the studio equipment. But, just before we started, I had a call from Adam Ficek (Babyshambles Drummer). Adam and I then made arrangements for him to come out the sticks tomorrow and do a studio shoot. He needs some more shots for his side project, Roses Kings Castles. So, we will meet in the morning.

Twelve Naked men

I must admit i have done more glamorous shoots in my time. However, this was fun really and all for a good cause. The day started quite early. I was making sure all was fine in the studio. Then at about 11am in rolled number one. Each person was spaced about 30 min's apart. Although there were a few late chaps which kind of through the day, timing wise, out a bit. The last one of the day was actually driving back from way up north and I don't think we actually shot it until about 8pm. So, all in all quite a long day. We definitely got what was needed.. Looking back it was very funny. I am not ever discussing the details of any of my models. But, now I feel a lot better about my own anatomy than before the shoot!! Mind you I still need to lose loads of weight. I cant post any photos from the shoot until the calender is out as it would give the game away.

Testing Testing

I have a studio shoot tomorrow for a Cancer Charity. We are shooting 12 naked local men in the Chorleywood and Rickmansworth area. The shots will be used on a calender for next year. So, I was setting up the studio and generally getting ready for tomorrow with the help of one of my sons, Jonathan. I was just testing the lighting and needed a human to stand in for a second. So, he obliged and here is my wonderful son.
Jonathan Clifford
Copyright 2008 Danny Clifford














I am not sure he is mine as he is much better looking than me. Anyway, as for the naked shoot, I am staying fully clothed.

John Illsley at Bush Hall

I haven't seen John since the Lyceum Ballroom in about 1979 when Dire Straits were just becoming enormous. So, i arrived at Bush Hall in Shepherds Bush, West London and was escorted through to the dressing room to see John. When we met he said I looked vaguely familiar, well, I have changed quite a lot, but there you go, maybe he did see something of the old bastard in me. We reminisced about the early days of Dire Straits when they were playing every Monday night at the Marquee in Wardour Street, in Soho, London. I was asked to shoot the shows by Bob Nolan who worked on the vertigo label at Phonogram Records. Anyway, it was nice catching up with John and chatting about the good old days. We then took some photos in the corridor and in his dressing room.
John Illsley
Copyright 2008 Danny Clifford













Then shot the show. He hadn't performed for 15 years apparently. Anyway, someone had forgotten the lights. There was hardly any light at all, pretty bad. The music was brilliant though.

The New Seekers - Sex Drugs n Rock n Roll ?

Well, here is a different one. I finally had the opportunity to meet up with The New Seekers they were performing in Chesham, Buckinghamshire. I have never seen them before. Although, I have met them as I did a photo shoot with them about a year ago. However, never seen them live, until now.

l-r Mick Flinn, Roger Walburn, Paul Layton
Copyright 2008 Danny Clifford

I arrived at the Elgiva Theatre and was met by their brilliant and dedicated manager, Nick. He then showed me through to the dressing room area. Mick "I Can Do That" Flinn and his wife Donna are good friend of ours and live locally. They are amongst the nicest people you could ever meet, so, it's is a pleasure doing this tonight. Whilst I am on the subject, the whole band are actually lovely people.
Mark Hankins
Copyright 2008 Danny Clifford













So, moving on, we did a few quick candid type shots in the dressing room and then it was off out as the show was about to begin. So, on they came and it seemed like hit after hit.
Mick Flinn & Donna Jones
Copyright 2008 Danny Clifford













I couldn't actually believe how many hits they had.

Paul Layton
Copyright 2008 Danny Clifford














There were the obvious hits like "teach the world to sing" which was a massive hit back in the 70's. I remember that as an advert for Coca Cola. Also, "Beg Steal of Borrow", there were loads of others as well.
Francine Rees
Copyright 2008 Danny Clifford



















The show was brilliant. After the show we all headed back to Mick & Donna's house for a real late night mad one. Yes, real rock n roll .... We had pizza's and tea. Not quite the same as my late nights with Pete Doherty and the like. In fact I can honestly say I didn't miss the smell of Crack burning away on Pete Doherty's pipe, making me feel like I wanted to heave up. This was nice friendly relaxed and civilised. How refreshing. In fact so much so, I think I will go again to their gig tomorrow night in Radlett, Hertfordshire and take the family!

The Zimmers are back

I have just received in the post the new CD by the Zimmers. Some of you might remember that I was the photographer for a BBC documentary about the Zimmers. This was an elderly group of people trying to get themselves into the charts, which they did. They were then flown with the BBC documentary makers and me to Los Angeles to go on probably the biggest TV show in the world the Tonight show with Jay Leno. They shared the show with George Clooney and Rihanna. That was amazing enough, but now, they actually have an album out and it's great. Its called Lust for Life. Tracks like Queens, "We will Rock You" Three Steps to Heaven, My Way, Old and Wise and the Prodigy's "Firestarter", for which I directed the video which is also on the album. I know that some of the proceeds go to charity, so, get out there and buy one or two of them... Also on the album are about 28 of my photos, including the cover shot. The cover was shot on the Zebra crossing outside Abbey Road Studios during the documentary.