I remember when rock was young...

Halfway to Paradise: The Birth of British Rock Photography has opened at Cannon Hall Museum, near Barnsley, and showcases more than 100 images captured by Harry Hammond for The New Musical Express. It runs until Sunday, June 19.

Hammond was recognised as one of Britain’s top showbusiness photographers for more than two decades and he took pictures of almost every leading domestic musician and many international artists.

A spokesman for the museum said: “From Tommy Steele to the Beatles, Shirley Bassey to Dusty Springfield, Hammond captured the emergence of British rock ’n’ rollers.

“First circulated through The New Musical Express, his work set the standard for pop photography for following generations.

“The exhibition takes visitors back to the birth of British rock. It includes a great soundtrack and interactives which explore the music, musicians and fashions of the time.”

The collection of photographs has been drawn from the Theatre and Performance collections of the V&A and Cannon Hall is the only Yorkshire venue to host the exhibition.

Hammond, who was born in London’s East End in 1920, died in February 2009.

He served a four-year apprenticeship in advertising, fashion and Press photography at the London Art Service in Fleet Street and served as an RAF photographer during the Second World War.

Halfway to Paradise is the flagship event in Barnsley Council’s Barnsley Live series, which will also include performances and other cultural events.

For more information about the free exhibition, call Cannon Hall on 01226 790270.