LED ZEPPELIN PHOTOS SET TO ROCK SYDNEY AFTER 35 YEARS

PUBLIC PROGRAM - Sunday 24 February 3pm ALAN JONES artist & DiVERSE poets Jill Jones, Margaret Bradstock, Louise Wakeling, Sheryl Persson, Paula McKay, Robert Kennedy Click here for more information Click here to download education kit

The Led Zeppelin World Tour is an exhibition of documentary photographs and contemporary artworks. Rarely-seen images by freelance photographer Ted Harvey documenting Led Zeppelin’s 1972 Sydney concert feature in this exhibition alongside contemporary responses from artists, Adam Cullen, Nicholas Harding, Geoff Harvey, Euan Macleod, Lucille Martin, Alan Jones, Craig Waddell, Chris O’Doherty (aka Reg Mombassa), Danius Kesminas and Gareth Sansom.

Harvey’s rare & iconic photographs capture the explosive energy of the band that redefined rock in the Seventies. His unlimited access to the group, enables us to re-live this legendary concert and discover some of the mysticism that surrounded it.

Led Zeppelin played the Sydney Showground in an extraordinary three-hour concert on an otherwise-sleepy Sunday afternoon in February, 1972, their only-ever Sydney gig. Officially, there were 28,000 fans attending, though it was more like 38,000 as ‘lots of people climbed the fence ’.  It was a record crowd for the era.

Despite the millions of albums sold and record breaking tours at the peak of their success, Led Zeppelin shunned media attention. Notoriously camera-shy the band were almost inaccessible to the media and few photographs of their live performances exist.  Those which do tend to be continually recycled. Until three years ago, even Harvey was unaware that he still had the unpublished photos and conducted a search when asked about his early work photographing rock groups.

Working as a freelance photographer in the 1970s, Ted Harvey photographed the likes of Pink Floyd, Jethro Tull, Deep Purple, The Bee Gees and Cat Stevens. After he took these shots of Led Zeppelin, Harvey met with the band and enjoyed a stroll in Kings Cross with Robert Plant. He recalls Plant started to sing at the top of his lungs without a passer by seeming to notice!

Led Zeppelin front man Robert Plant said Ted Harvey’s images are the best ever taken of the band.

Now based in the Northern Rivers, NSW, Harvey has fond memories of the Zeppelin concert that Sunday, February 27th. He says“I drove my van around to the back of the stage, parked and walked to the front. I was surprised I seemed to be the only press photographerthere.”  Ted literally had front row seats with the rest of the crowd distanced from the stage behind a concrete barrier. “I had free movement around the stage, great for picture taking!” Harvey says “All this was a distant memory until rummaging through boxes in storage that I was preparing to take to the tip.  I was staggered to find my original negatives and realised that no one, apart from the Zeppelin band members, had seen the photos. I thought others might like to relive the memories of an era that will never be repeated.”  

A show was organised by Steven Alderton, Lismore Regional Gallery and the response was overwhelming. 

An extended exhibition is on view at the National Trust S.H. Ervin Gallery, Observatory Hill, The Rocks, Sydney, 19 January – 02 March.  This is the first time the photographs will be shown in Sydney.

Led Zeppelin continue to be held in high regard for their artistic achievements, commercial success and broad influence. The band have sold more than 300 million albums worldwide and recently reformed for a tribute concert  in the UK. (millions tried to gain access to the 18,000 tickets allocated for the concert).

This exhibition also presents responses to the band from contemporary artists -
Adam Cullen, Nicholas Harding, Geoff Harvey, Euan Macleod, Lucille Martin, Alan Jones, Craig Waddell, Chris O’Doherty (aka Reg Mombassa), Danius Kesminas and Gareth Sansom.

By exhibiting these works, Ted Harvey aims to raise awareness for Rockphoto aid – helping to support children who live in extreme poverty in Brazil - a project he and his wife are committed to.
Please view www.rockphotoaid.com  for further information.

 A Lismore Regional Gallery Touring exhibition

all images: © TED HARVEY - Robert Plant, Sydney Concert 1972. Jimmy Page, Sydney Concert 1972.
Crowd at 5 O’Clock, Sydney Concert 1972.  

Ted Harvey is available for interviews:

contact Leah Haynes  02 9258 0150 lhaynes@nsw.nationaltrust.org.au

 

The Led Zeppelin World Tour - National Trust S.H. Ervin Gallery
Public viewing:	19 January-02 March 2008
Hours:	Tues-Sun 11am-5pm. Closed Mondays
Admission:	$6/$4
Series of guest talks, school holiday workshops & special events are scheduled.

S.H. Ervin Gallery opening late Wednesday 27 February until 9PM
Meet Led Zeppelin Photographer Ted Harvey
February 27th is the anniversary date of Led Zeppelin’s legendary concert at the Sydney Showground in 1972. It was the band’s only ever Sydney gig & photographer Ted Harvey was there to capture the group in  their rock ‘n roll prime. Come & relive the moment at our late night exhibition viewing. 

Visitors to our evening viewing go in the draw to win a unique Mothership promotional poster thanks to Warners Music.

 

PUBLIC PROGRAM - Sunday 24 February 3pm ALAN JONES artist & DiVERSE poets Jill Jones, Margaret Bradstock, Louise Wakeling, Sheryl Persson, Paula McKay, Robert Kennedy Click here for more information

 

1978 - 2008 Celebrating 30 Years of Australian Art

National Trust S.H. Ervin Gallery

Watson Road (enter from Argyle Street), Observatory Hill, The Rocks, Sydney
Gallery Hours:	Tuesday–Sunday 11am-5pm.  (Closed Mondays)
Exhibition admission fees:	$6/$4 National Trust members, seniors & concessions.
General information:	02 9258 0173
Media information:	02 9258 0150
Education officer:	02 9258 0122  group bookings & school tours welcome
Public Program	Sundays @ 3pm  (talks subject to speakers availability).
Exhibition introductory floor talk each Tuesday @ 12 noon. Trust Café, Arts Book Shop & on-site parking. S.H. Ervin Gallery will open on Australia Day Saturday 26 January 2008

exhibition organised by

exhibition supported by

S.H. Ervin Gallery supported by