Jimi Hendrix And Bob Dylan Exhibition Rocks The City

By Silvia Baretta Last edited 118 months ago
Jimi Hendrix And Bob Dylan Exhibition Rocks The City
Bob Dylan © Paolo Brillo
Bob Dylan © Paolo Brillo
Bob Dylan © Paolo Brillo
Bob Dylan © Paolo Brillo
Jimi Hendrix reading Bob Dylan's Blonde on Blonde songbook © Colin Neville Purvor
Jimi Hendrix reading Bob Dylan's Blonde on Blonde songbook © Colin Neville Purvor
Jimi Hendrix © Rockarchive
Jimi Hendrix © Rockarchive
Jimi Hendrix © Colin  Neville Purvor
Jimi Hendrix © Colin Neville Purvor

Just a step away from the vast financial buildings of Broadgate and serious-looking security men dressed in dark suits, you can meet the rebellious. At the northern end of Bishopsgate, you will find the Olympus Rockarchive Image Space Gallery and enter the world of rock 'n' roll.

The Jimi Hendrix & Bob Dylan exhibition connects two iconic figures who changed the course of music during the 1960s. Photographers and rockstars mixed easily at that time, with no backstage security during the gigs, and this exhibition shows the power of photographers to communicate the rock 'n' roll experience to the world. The display includes images of Hendrix and Dylan by the Rockarchive collective including shots by Gered Mankowitz, Don Hunstein, Ray Stevenson and Jill Furmanovsky, and three of Paolo Brillo’s intimate photos of Bob Dylan performing at The Royal Albert Hall in 2013.

One of the most interesting images in the exhibition, showing a deeper connection between the two artists, is the portrait of Jimi Hendrix absorbed in reading Bob Dylan's Blonde on Blonde songbook. The picture was taken in 1967 by British photographer Colin N Purvor. Passionate fans will know that Dylan's album influenced Jimi's recording of All Along The Watch Tower in 1968 (see video below).

The exhibition has just been extended until 25 May and will host two special events dedicated to the music legends:

  • On Wednesday 14 May: meet Derek Barker, editor of Isis Magazine — the oldest and most influential Bob Dylan fanzine in the world. Derek will be at the gallery talking about Bob Dylan, the Blonde on Blonde album, how much he influenced Hendrix and vice versa. Photographer Paolo Brillo will be there, too. Event starts at 6.15pm and it's free but you need to book your space by email.
  • On Sunday 18 May: Rockarchive has teamed up with Classic Album Sundays to present a series of album listening sessions featuring legendary rock photographers. First up is The Jimi Hendrix Experience's Electric Ladyland album with Ray Stevenson, who photographed Hendrix himself. Tickets are £10+bf if you prebook online or £12 on the door, event starts at 6pm.

Are you ready to rock out?

Dylan & Hendrix exhibition is on until 25 May at the Olympus Rockarchive Image Space Gallery, 199 Bishopsgate (entrance on Primrose Street), Broadgate, London EC2M 3TY. Admission is free.  

For more exhibitions to see in London this month, check out our May art events listing and our Art & Photography page.

Last Updated 08 May 2014