Arriving upstairs at Charlotte Blues Street, with my camera in one hand and complimentary beer in the other hand, I was greeted by an exhibition of some of the finest post-war photography around.

The work of John ‘Hoppy’ Hopkins, a man noted for his iconic images of the biggest rock and jazz stars and his portrayal of the darkest corners of 60’s London town, is on display from October right through to December, and I was privileged to be in attendance to the exhibits launch night.

A crowd of photography and music enthusiasts alike arrived at the intimate venue and were greeted by a collection of Hoppy’s work, mainly focusing on the ‘greaser’ biker gangs of the 60’s with a few scattered images of music icons such as Brian Jones and John Lee Hooker.

As well as an accomplished photographer, Hoppy was also a political activist, a journalist, a researcher and a key figure in the UK underground movement (he's the founding father of the infamous UFO Club at Tottenham Court Road where such goliaths of music history such as Pink Floyd and Jeff Beck cut their teeth).

But a career in photography came as somewhat of an accident to Hoppy: Graduating from Cambridge University with a masters degree in Physics and Mathematics, Hoppy was destined to a life of academia however a graduation present of a camera changed his route. Arriving in London in January 1960 he began work as a photographer for newspapers and music magazines including the now defunct Melody Maker. He photographed many of the leading musicians of the era including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong. Along with photographing the greats, Hoppy also recorded the seedier side of London with photographs of tattoo parlours, prostitutes sprawled out on their bed and drug addicts. 

There were some truly beautiful photos on display at the exhibition; my personal favourite was one simply entitled ‘Couple’ which showed a young man and woman clinched in an embrace at a railway station. As a photographer myself, it was nice to appreciate the work of a master and take away some food for thought, as well as a few more free beers.   
 

Photograhy: James Prosho