Chelsea College of Art and Design is such a cool place to visit an exhibition, so an invite to see Process, a retrospective of Barney Bubbles work on album covers and posters was a must, and of course at a private view it’s not just that there is intriguing art, cheese thingys to nibble and free drink but you meet some really great people too, more on that later.
The exhibition was not only a celebration of Barneys work, he conceived great covers and artwork for Stiff records, think Costello, Dave Edmunds, The Damned and Ian Dury and of course some great covers for Hawkwind, but it was also a book launch as well. Barney was highly regarded and influential in his time and Paul Gormans book explores his impact perfectly
Process launched the publication of the second edition of Reasons To Be Cheerful, Mojo magazine’s Book Of The Year in January 2010.
So why a second edition launch you may ask, well this is a revised version with further interviews, images and information and hey it’s an excuse for a party !
It was great to chat with Bob Hall whose photographic images were also on display, Paul Olson the author who worked with Barney and Mick Jones of the Clash. Mick and I chatted for ages like old mates, (who’d have believed it ?) telling me what a thrill it was for him to play with Mick Avery of The Kinks recently. I was actually at that private gig where Mick Avery, Steve Diggle, Mick Jones, Glen Matlock played an amazing set at The Hundred Club. A night to remember, think about it, a Kink, a Buzzcock, a Sex Pistol and a member of the Clash all on stage together playing all their big hits.
Anyway back to the story, so Mick Jones is explaining to me how The Kinks were the biggest influence on his musical life and his favourite tracks, well not quite what you’d expect, Dedicated Follower Of Fashion, Sunny Afternoon, and Waterloo Sunset, and in consequence to play with Avery was very special for him. A final bonus for me, Mick agrees to a full interview for Rokpool, how amazing is that ?
Mick might be your hero, but heros have heros too.
