This exhibition brings together rare and unseen photos of the reggae innovator Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, who Dennis Morris calls ‘the Dali of reggae’. The timing of the exhibition ties in with the Notting Hill Carnival as well as the first anniversary of Perry’s death.
During the weeks of the exhibition, there will be various events including DJs. News of these events to follow. Dennis Morris is an acclaimed music photographer who is known for his work with the Sex Pistols, Bob Marley, Marianne Faithfull (the cover photo of Broken English), P.I.L logo, and Metal Box amongst many others. Growing up he was drawn to early Lee Perry hit productions like ‘Return of Django’ and ‘Man From MI5’.
Super Perry Exhibition and Book Launch by Dennis Morris 30 Old Burlington Street London W1S 3AP Friday 26th August – Thursday 8th of September.
Dennis had a long friendship with Lee Perry starting with shooting Scratch at work in his infamous Black Ark recording studio, Jamaica in 1976. Morris likens the experience to ‘entering the magician’s den, watching the wizard at work like in Harry Potter’. In 1978, Dennis was invited by Richard Branson to Jamaica to scout reggae artists for the Virgin Frontline label.
Dennis suggested for John Lydon join the trip. Many of the iconic images of Perry were taken by Dennis on this trip, including images of John Lydon in the Black Ark studio. Perry and Morris maintained a strong working relationship up to the dub producer’s death including a session on a London tourist bus during which as Morris recalls Perry was ‘casting spells to bring Babylon to its senses.
MUSIC FROM LEE SCRATCH PERRY
ALSO ON THE REGGAE TASTEMAKER PLAYLIST…
