Rock Against Racism, late 1970s: Photographs by Red Saunders

In the summer of 1976, amid Britain’s economic malaise and rising racial tensions, photographer and activist Red Saunders helped spark a movement that would change the sound — and conscience — of a generation.

Music has long been a catalyst for change, and in Britain during the late 1970s it became a rallying cry against the creeping menace of racism and the far-right. Rock Against Racism arose in 1976 as a defiant response to the growing visibility of extremist groups and an alarming rise in racial hatred. Through a potent mix of concerts, carnivals and campaigning, it confronted prejudice head-on, championing diversity and solidarity from one smoky club to the next.

These were turbulent years. Mid-1970s Britain was mired in economic stagnation, industrial unrest and bitter social divisions. Against this backdrop, the National Front — a far-right political party — gained ground, and street-level racism became increasingly brazen. The flashpoint came in August 1976, when Eric Clapton, drunk on stage at Birmingham’s Odeon, unleashed a notorious rant in support of Enoch Powell. Outraged, a loose coalition of artists and activists vowed to turn their anger into action — and thus, Rock Against Racism was born.

Founding Rock Against Racism

Red Saunders and a group of like-minded friends penned a letter to the New Musical Express, denouncing his words and the racism they embodied. In a rallying call at the end of the letter, they urged readers to join them in forming Rock Against Racism — and the response was overwhelming. Hundreds of fans, appalled by the hypocrisy and eager to celebrate the black roots of the music they cherished, wrote back to offer their support.

"Come on, Eric, own up - half your music is black... P.S. Who shot the Sheriff, Eric? It sure as hell wasn't you!"

The Gigs and the Carnivals

Between 1977 and 1983, Rock Against Racism staged more than 500 gigs across the country, alongside the national carnivals organised with the Anti-Nazi League. Hundreds of thousands took to the streets to march, dance and stand united against racism and the National Front. The movement drew some of the era’s most electrifying acts — including The Clash, X-Ray Spex, Buzzcocks and Steel Pulse — who lent their voices and their music to the cause at rallies and concerts nationwide.

Breaking down barriers

Alongside the large outdoor festivals, RAR brought its message into smaller, more intimate venues across the UK, drawing an array of politically engaged artists and bands. The Members, John Cooper Clarke, Sham 69 and Misty in Roots all performed to diverse, passionate crowds. Their music dissolved barriers, challenged prejudice and delivered a defiant two-fingered salute to the institutional racism embedded in British society. Both the gigs and the carnivals became powerful demonstrations of music’s ability to unite people in opposition to hate.

Already an accomplished photographer for The Sunday Times Magazine before founding Rock Against Racism, Red Saunders was quick to focus his lens on the movement he helped create. He documented gigs and events for the RAR fanzine, Temporary Hoarding, which was sold at concerts across the country. More than just a programme, Temporary Hoarding became a vital forum for exploring the intersections of racism, music and politics — amplifying the movement’s message and helping to forge a sense of solidarity among its supporters.

Rebuilding a Legacy

In 1993, an arson attack on the Stoke Newington studio Four Walls destroyed a significant body of Red Saunders’s work, much of it dating back to the 1960s. Undeterred, he continues to sift through what remains of his archive, sharing his rediscovered images and stories with a new audience via his Instagram page.

“Rock Against Racism's impact on British society was profound. By uniting musicians, activists, and communities, the movement inspired a sense of solidarity and empowerment that transcended social divides. It challenged the normalisation of racist rhetoric and emboldened people to confront prejudice wherever they encountered it — in the streets, in their workplaces, and their own lives.”