Formerly on view in the United States at the Smithsonian Institution,
National Museum of American History, Washington, DC, Provincial Museum of Alberta, Edmonton Alberta Canada, and The Museum of Liverpool Life, Liverpool England.
On loan to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Cleveland, Ohio
June 26 - September 21, 2008
Welcome to the weird and wonderful world of Mike McCartney.
A black and white world of Liverpool in the '60s, which, like the Wizard of Oz, could spring into colour at any time by using your imagination. A unique world and period of time -- of Scaffold(ing), rock 'n' roll, self-portraits, family, Queens, first cameras, first "skools," first groups, first cars, etc. And all set in the vibrant, one and only centre of the universe(!)...Liverpool.
Mike McCartney's Liverpool Life:
SIXTIES Black and White made its world debut
at The Provincial Museum of Alberta, and features
65 incredible images with Mike's unique perspective
on the origins of the British Invasion--an intimate,
funny and dramatic tale of the city he loves and the
era that changed music history.
Images include playful self-portraits of the artist
experimenting with his first cameras (his first
photograph, taken without permission on his
father's box camera); candid portraits of McCartney
family members and their home; images of Mike's
school, first car and own comedy group, Scaffold;
American rock 'n' roll legends on the historic stages
of the Tower Ballroom and the Cavern Club; and
the backdrop for it all -- the then ugly/lovely
landscape of Liverpool.
Mike McCartney, appointed the Cultural Ambassador
for Wirral, is a photographer, musician, writer
(children's/adult literature), stage and TV actor,
humourist - these are but a few of the hats Mike
McCartney has worn throughout the last 40 years.
He has recorded a total of nine albums, both as a
solo artist and with legendary British comedy group
The Scaffold; he has played with such names as Reg
Dwight (a.k.a. Elton John), Jimi Hendrix, Spencer
Davis, Graham Nash, the Chieftains' Paddy Mahoney
and brother Paul's group, Wings; published an
autobiography, two children's books and four books
of his photographs; exhibited his photography
throughout Europe, Japan and the United States;
toured extensively, presenting his experiences and
thoughts on his much beloved Liverpool from the
sixties, up to the present day.
Gallery guide available upon request.