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Subculture

UK 1970s

Photographs by Virginia Turbett

Virginia Turbett is a music and social photographer best known for her photographs of bands, fans, and street culture between 1977 and 1987.

In 1977, Virginia was asked by a good friend to photograph The Sex Pistols recording “Pretty Vacant” for Slash Magazine. “I had to go to a camera shop on Tottenham Court Rd to get them to change the film for me,”

A year and many punk gigs later, a chance meeting with a Sounds journalist during the Right to Work March led to a collaboration that lasted for a few years, during which she photographed Punk, Rock, Pop, Heavy Metal, Mods, New Romantics, Skinheads, Two-Tone, Ska, Reggae, and the fans, style, and fashion of the time.

Mods and skins in Southend, 1979.
Southend, 1979.

Photo © Virginia Turbett, all rights reserved. 

"Mods and skins scene in 1979, showcasing unique fashion styles and cultural influences in the UK youth subculture."
Southend, 1979.

Photo © Virginia Turbett, all rights reserved. 

A group of mods showcasing their unique skins and fashion style in Southend, England, during 1979. The scene captures the vibrant youth culture and distinctive clothing trends of the mod subculture in the late 1970s.
Mods and skins in Southend, 1979.

Photo © Virginia Turbett, all rights reserved. 

"Sid Vicious Memorial March 1980: A tribute event honoring the legacy of Sid Vicious, the iconic punk rock figure from the Sex Pistols, featuring attendees and fans celebrating his influence on music and culture."
Sid Vicious Memorial March, 1980.

Photo © Virginia Turbett, all rights reserved. 

"A large crowd gathers for an anti-Nazi demonstration in West Bromwich, 1979, showcasing the community's stand against hate and discrimination. Signage and banners highlight the message of unity and resistance against far-right ideologies."
Skinhead supporting the Anti-nazi demo, West Brom, 1979.

Photo © Virginia Turbett, all rights reserved. 

"Opening night of The Wall Club in 1981 featuring New Romantic artist Stephen Linard, celebrating the vibrant cultural scene of the era."
New Romantic Stephen Linard. Opening night of The Wall Club, 1981.

Photo © Virginia Turbett, all rights reserved. 

"A lively Mod Revival night in West Hampstead, 1979, showcasing vibrant fashion, energetic music, and the cultural resurgence of the Mod subculture in London."
Mod Revival Night in West Hampstead, 1979.

Photo © Virginia Turbett, all rights reserved. 

Madness in Edinburgh, 1979.
Madness in Edinburgh, 1979.

Photo © Virginia Turbett, all rights reserved. 

"Rock Against Racism Militant Entertainment Tour at Alexandra Palace in 1979, showcasing a vibrant concert atmosphere promoting anti-racism and unity through music."
Rock Against Racism 'Militant Entertainment' Tour. Alexandra Palace, 1979.

Photo © Virginia Turbett, all rights reserved. 

Collection published 2nd May, 2020. © Virginia Turbett / British Culture Archive. All rights reserved.

All images © Virginia Turbett, all rights reserved. No usage or reproduction of any kind without prior permission of the copyright holder.