Aside from being a founder of the “Rock Against Racism” movement, Red Saunders is also an established photographer who has worked for many publications. After losing a big chunk of his archive during a studio fire, he has recently been working on preserving his remaining archive. At BCA, we’ve been digitally archiving these images, including his shots for the “Rock Against Racism” Fanzine and “Temporary Hoarding.”
Northern Soul
In 1976, Red was documenting the Northern Soul Scene for The Sunday Times magazine and took his camera up to the legendary Wigan Casino. The images shot by Red captured the casino in all its glory. Originally a ballroom, it became a mecca for Northern Soul enthusiasts. It wasn’t just about the music; it became a subculture marked by fashion and a sense of belonging.
“It was a priceless assignment – a story about Northern Soul and, specifically, the Wigan Casino. It was written by one of my favourite writers on the magazine at that time, Gordon Burn. ‘Keep the Faith’ was the manifesto here, R&B lovers and multi-racial dancing all weekend.” – Red Saunders.
Photo © Red Saunders.
Amphetamine
“I’d been a mod in the early 60s – pilled up at all-nighters at The Flamingo Club, Scene Club, and Whiskey, a go-go in Soho. When we walked into this loud, garish scene, I was quite at home; the girl in the above shot is so of the night and time; look at the eyes … yes, that’s amphetamine, orange in a coke bottle, look at the clothes, her hair, the school chair and the tacky flock wallpaper.”
Photo © Red Saunders.
“I love this shot. It has developed a real 17th-century Dutch painterly quality. Again, the amphetamine eyes.”
Photo © Red Saunders.
“Early morning, the sun is rising outside, and the amphetamine has taken its toll. There is no alcohol, only empty soft drink bottles and cans that the pills get mixed in.”
Keep The Faith
“Halfway through the night, I had lost my voice – I had been screaming at people all night to be heard above the music. It was quite disorientating, pitch dark and lit only by ultraviolet disco lights, loud, loud music and now and again, my flash popping off, freezing everyone in the darkness. Outside, young guys were still dancing bare-chested in the falling snow. We arrived at Wigan railway station about 5 am, post amphetamine, totally dehydrated and collapsed.”
“I still have my Keep the Faith badge.”
Gallery
Photo © Red Saunders.
Photo © Red Saunders.
Photo © Red Saunders.
Photo © Red Saunders.
Photo © Red Saunders.
Photo © Red Saunders.
Photo © Red Saunders.
Words and images © Red Saunders, all rights reserved.
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