A Guide to the Tom Wright Photograph Collection, 1962-1994


Descriptive Summary
	Creator	Wright, Tom
	Title	Tom Wright Photograph Collection
	Dates:	1962-1994
	Abstract	Collection of photographs by Tom Wright, official photographer for the rock group The Who from 1967-1991, including photographs of other rock performers.
	Identification:	AR 93-383; 94-096; 94-121; 95-083; 2004-161; 2004-218; 2008-102
	Extent	4 ft., 2 in., and 19 rolled photographs
	Language	English.
	Repository	Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin

Biographical Note

Tom Wright was born in Alabama in 1944. In the early 1960s he studied photography at England's Ealing Art School, where he met Pete Townshend, founder of the rock group The Who . Wright became The Who's official photographer in 1967 and chronicled the group's development, including their farewell tour (1991). From 1967 to 1969 he managed the Grande Ballroom in Detroit, Michigan, where The Who's rock opera Tommy premiered. In addition to his extensive work with The Who, Wright also served as a photographer or road manager for The Rolling Stones, Rod Stewart and the Faces, The James Gang, J. D. Souther, The Thunderbirds, Elvis Costello, Bob Seger, The Eagles and others. In 1998 he was living and working in San Antonio, Texas.

Scope and Contents

Tom Wright's photographs of rock performers, audiences, and concert venues comprise an intimate, behind-the-scenes history of rock and roll from the 1960s to the 1990s in the United States and Great Britain. Material related to British rock group The Who is the major focus of the collection. Also included are videos and CDs of The Who, a tape of Pete Townshend describing Tommy before its first U.S. performance, and a portfolio of sepia toned photographs of Joe Walsh.


Arrangement
	Arranged by subject and format.

Restrictions

Access Restrictions

Unrestricted access. Photographer retains copyright. Please contact the artist's agent as noted in each collection box.


Index Terms

	Subjects (Persons)
		Costello, Elvis--Pictorial works.
		Dylan, Bob, 1941- --Pictorial works.
		Graham, Bill--Pictorial works.
		Jagger, Mick--Pictorial works
		Mitchell, Joni--Pictorial works.
		Petty, Tom--Pictorial works.
		Seger, Bob--Pictorial works.
		Souther, J. D.--Pictorial works.
		Stewart, Rod--Pictorial works.
		Townshend, Pete--Pictorial works
		Turner, Tina--Pictorial works
		Vaughan, Stevie Ray--Pictorial works
		Walsh, Joe--Pictorial works
	Subjects (Musical groups)
		Eagles (Musical group)--Pictorial works.
		Faces (Musical group)--Pictorial works.
		Grit Kids (Musical group)--Pictorial works.
		James Gang (Musical group)--Pictorial works.
		Procol Harum (Musical group)--Pictorial works.
		Rolling Stones--Pictorial works.
		Thunderbirds (Musical group)--Pictorial works
		Who (Musical group)--Pictorial works.
	Subjects
		Tommy --Pictorial works.
		Music audiences--Pictorial works.
		Rock concerts--Pictorial works.
		Rock musicians--Pictorial works.
		Stadia--Photographs.
		Trucks--Photographs.
		Women--Portraits.

Related Material


	See also Tom Wright Papers.

Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Tom Wright Photograph Collection, 1962-1994, Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin.

Detailed Description of the Collection

12 in. x 15 in. x 3 in. boxes

Box

3S283

Mounted black and white prints from Roadwork project

Box

3S284

[Click for images in this box]

The Who, black and white prints

The Who, color prints and photocopies

Miscellaneous color prints and photocopies

Locations identified by city, black and white prints

Unidentified scenes, black and white prints

Unidentified people, black and white prints

Police or security people, black and white prints

Zachariah, filming of motion picture, black and white prints

Pick-up trucks, black and white prints

Box

3S285

Performers and producers, black and white prints, including Gary Broker of Procol Harum, Chyna, Bob Dylan, Dave Edmons, Bill Graham, Joni Mitchell, Tom Petty, Billy Preston, Terry Reid, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Blues Magoos, Firefall, Golden Earring, Koala, The Third Power

Texas bands and producers, black and white prints, including The Argyles, Buckboard Boogie Boys, Jimmie Lee Vaughan and the Thunderbirds, Nick Lowe, The Vamps

Mick Jagger and Rolling Stones, black and white prints

Little Richard, black and white prints

Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels, black and white prints

Rare Earth, black and white prints

The Eagles, black and white prints

Rod Stewart and Faces, black and white prints

Joe Walsh and the James Gang, black and white prints

Elvis Costello, black and white prints

Grit Kids, black and white prints

Box

3S287

[Click for images in this box]

The Who:

Black and white contact sheets and strips
40 items

Black and white mounted prints
17 items

11 in. × 14 in. black and white prints
77 items

8 in. × 10 in. or smaller black and white prints
75 items

Box

3S288

Performers and producers, black and white prints, including Blues Magoos, Gary Broker of Procol Harum, Larry Burnet of Firefall, J. W. Dawson Band, Dave Edmons, Richie Havens, Bill Graham, Shakey Jake, Holly Levin, Billy Preston, Jake Riviera, J. D. Tarlowe Band, Juan Torres and Salomon Prado, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Steve Winwood, and George Wood
35 items

Texas bands and producers, black and white prints, including the Buckboard Boogie Boys, Nick Lowe, and Jimmie Lee Vaughan and the Thunderbirds
26 items

Elvis Costello, black and white prints
8 items

Little Richard, black and white prints
6 items

Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones, black and white prints
13 items

Paul McCartney, black and white prints
3 items

Ray Charles, black and white prints
3 items

Rare Earth, black and white prints
3 items

Bill Cusack and American Pie, black and white prints
10 items

Grit Kids, black and white prints
10 items

The Koala, black and white prints
6 items

Women, portraits, black and white prints
85 items

Box

3S289

Joe Walsh and the James Gang, black and white prints
24 items

Rod Stewart and Faces, black and white prints
94 items

The Eagles (also including Joe Walsh), black and white prints
70 items

Box

3S290

Austin, Texas, scenes, black and white prints
19 items

San Antonio, Texas scenes
14 items

San Antonio, Texas, missions, black and white prints, including the Alamo and San Juan Capistrano
7 items

Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas, black and white prints
9 items

Spain and France scenes, black and white prints
44 items

General locations identified by city, black and white prints
3 items

Unidentified scenes and still life, black and white prints
85 items

General contact sheets, black and white
24 items

John Tower, black and white prints
3 items

Box

3S291

Pick-up trucks, black and white prints and laminated sepia prints
55 items

Unidentified people, black and white prints:

Box

3S291

1 of 3 folders
76 items

2 of 3 folders
97 items

Box

3S357

3 of 3 folders
90 items

The Who, color prints and contact sheets, photocopies, and offset printing
16 items

General color prints, photocopies, and offset printing
56 items

Rod Stewart and Faces, color prints, photocopies, and offset printing
14 items

Joe Walsh, color print,
8 x 11

Roadwork cover mock-ups, black and white and color, with overlays
2 items

Tina Turner, color prints
14 items

Postcards
13 items

Police or security people, black and white prints
13 items

Theaters, stadiums, and audiences, black and white prints
11 items

Box

3S360

Oversize contact sheets

13 in. × 14 in. × 3.5 in. phase box

Box

3S286

Roadwork book mock-ups, volumes 1 and 2, and prototype LP album cover, CD case and cassette tape case

17 in. × 21 in. × 3 in. box

Box

3S205

Exhibition posters; Clown Face Tom Wright exhibition poster, Southwest Photography Class advertisement, Tom Wright Exhibition invitation,
3 items

Northern Express Weekly Magazine proof, color,
4 items

Performers, black and white prints including Keith Moon, Mitch Ryder, Pete Townshend, Joe Walsh with daughter, mounted, Gooselake Festival, mounted, New York street performer,
7 items

People of San Antonio, black and white prints, Amando Sanchez, Claude Morgan, Mi Tierra patron,
6 items

Scrapbook of France/Spain trip, black and white prints, 1971

Waitress from Mi Tierra, color prints,
2 items

21 in. × 25 in. × 3.25 in. boxes

Box

3S159

Paul Carrack, 1984
vertical sepia print, 20 in. x 20 in.,

John Entwistle, 1967
vertical black and white prints, 20 in x 24 in, 2 items,

The Faces,
horizontal black and white print, 20 in. x 24 in.

Howlin' Wolf, 1969
vertical black and white print, 18 in. x 24 in.,

Keith Moon,
vertical black and white print, 20 in. x 24 in., 7 items

Rod Stewart,
vertical black and white print, 20 in x 24 in.

Pete Townshend, 1967
vertical black and white prints, 20 in. x 24 in, 12 items,

Pete Townshend, 1967
vertical black and white print, 17.5 in. x 21.5 in.,

Pete Townshend, 1967
vertical black and white print, 20 in. x 21.5 in.,

Joe Walsh, 1970s
horizontal black and white print, 20 in. x 21.5 in.,

The Who, 1967
horizontal black and white print of contact sheet, 20 in. x 24 in.,

The Who,
vertical black and white print, 20 in. x 24 in.

21 in. × 25 in. × 3.25 in. boxes

Box

3S259

The Who, black and white prints:

Radio City Music Hall during Tommy rehearsal, 20 in. × 22 in. vertical, cut and glued from three photographic prints
1 item

Box

3S259

Mounted 20 in. × 24 in. vertical print
1 item

Mounted 16 in. × 20 in. vertical prints
7 items

16 in. × 20 in. print mounted on corrugated cardboard
1 item

16 in. × 20 in. prints
18 items

Box

3S261

[Click for images in this box]

The Who, The Kids Are Alright program

The Who, Cash magazine cover

Pete Townshend, Eel Pie Studios brochure

The Who: eleven 4 in. × 6 in. color prints mounted on both sides of one 11 in. × 17 in. board

Pete Townshend walking down pavement, vertical color print
16 in. × 18 in.

Pete Townshend walking down pavement, vertical color print, 15 in. × 17.5 in. with irregular edges

Pete Townshend collage, photocopy of two-page magazine spread
17 in. × 11 in.

Pete Townshend, mounted vertical color print
16 in. × 20 in.

Rod Stewart and Faces in woods, horizontal color print
20 in. × 24 in.

Rod Stewart, vertical black and white print
16 in. × 20 in.

Rod Stewart and Faces eating, horizontal black and white print
19.5 in. × 16 in.

Faces Leaper picture, horizontal black and white print
20 in. × 16 in.

Faces Leaper picture, 14 in. × 11 in. horizontal black and white print on 20 in. × 16 in. mount

Buckboard Boogie Boys, 12.25 in. × 12.25 in. black and white print

Joe Walsh, Kent, Ohio, horizontal sepia print, 13 in. ×12 in., stained and torn 1970,

Joe Walsh, vertical black and white print
7 in. × 16 in.

The Eagles, vertical black and white prints on 16 in. × 20 in. mounts
3 items

The Eagles, horizontal black and white print on 20 in. × 16 in. mount

The Koala, horizontal black and white print
20 in. × 16 in.

The Rationals, back of LP album cover with photography by Tom Wright, poor condition

James Gang, Thirds LP album cover

Two men, horizontal black and white print
20 in. × 13 in.

Christie's auction catalog page enlargement showing prices paid for Tom Wright lots, vertical black and white print
18 in. × 24 in.

Martial arts pose, vertical black and white print
16 in. × 20 in.

Contact sheets, black and white, 16 in. × 20 in., torn
3 items

Contact sheet, black and white, 8 in. × 16 in., torn

Silent Album, offset print mock-up

Silent Album, four sheets of Who pictures from offset print mock-up

The Public Eye movie poster, color
11.5 in. × 17 in.

Leather-bound album prepared by Tom Wright for his son's 16th birthday
4 in. × 7 in. × 1.5 in.

Box

3So60a-h

Rolled photographs:

Pete Townshend, signed "To Tom Pete Townshend," no border, vertical, color, 4.2 ft. × 6.5 ft., frayed edges with staple holes, otherwise good condition

Pete Townshend, signed by Tom Wright, vertical, black and white, 22 in. × 28 in., torn edges with pin holes, verso stained

"Joe Walsh at Bridge," horizontal, black and white, 7.5 ft. × 4.5 ft., torn on inside edge

"Joe Walsh at Kent Hotel, Ohio--1970," horizontal, black and white, 6.5 ft. × 4.5 ft., edges torn and mildewed, verso splattered with paint or ink

Joe Walsh backstage on Eagles tour, horizontal, black and white, 28 in. × 22.5 in., torn

Joe Walsh backstage on Eagles tour, horizontal, black and white, 28 in. × 22 in., frayed edges

Eagles and crew aboard bus, horizontal, 28.5 in. × 22.5 in., torn edges, verso stained

"Rod Stewart with Faces First Tour," horizontal, black and white, 7 ft. × 4.5 ft., torn, mildewed, verso splattered with paint or ink

Larry Burnet of Firefall, vertical, black and white, 29 in. × 22.25 in., torn edges 1976,

Pete Hortibeke of Rare Earth and friend, Kansas City, horizontal, black and white, 28 in. × 22.5 in., frayed edges, verso stained 1972,

Police officer, horizontal, black and white, 28 in. × 22.5 in., torn edges

View from stage of music festival audience in rain, horizontal, black and white, 28 in. × 23 in., frayed edges

View from stage of music festival audience in rain, no border, horizontal, black and white
26.5 in. × 20 in.

Rehearsal, horizontal, black and white
28 in. × 22 in.

Son of Jesse Ed Davis, Chicago, vertical, black and white, 22.5 in. × 28 in., frayed edges mid-1970s,

Silhouette against oval window, vertical, black and white, 22.5 in. × 28 in., frayed edges with staple holes

Hooded camera and two men, horizontal, black and white, 28 in. × 22 in., frayed edges, verso stained

Martial arts pose, no border, vertical, black and white, 8 ft. × 3.5 ft., staple holes on edges

"Pigs Heads Paris 64," no border, vertical, black and white, 3.5 ft. × 6 ft., rubber band residue on verso

Box

3W103c

Videotapes:

Tommy the Musical, [2] July 25, 1994

Exhibit, Jim Swift interview, Channel 7, KTBC, April 1994

"The Who: 30 Years of Maximum R and B"

Tapes:

The Who, sampler, University of Texas

Townshend describing Tommy before its first performance in the United States at Grande Ballroom, Detroit, 1969

Unidentified [2]

CDs:

Pete Townshend:

Scoop

Empty Glass

Who Came First

The Who:

Tommy

Quadrophenia [2]

Who Came First, booklet autographed by Pete Townshend

DAT of Pete Townshend's delivery speech

DVD of Rod Stewart & The Faces, 1973-74

DVD of "Special Event Celebrating Tom Wright Photograph Collection." March 16, 2007

Box

3W105

Videotapes:

Tom Wright Exhibition, Performing Arts Center, Austin, Texas, 1994

Photo Exhibit: San Antonio, Texas, 2004

Box

3So65.3

12 x 15 in. boxes

Black and white, mounted, 9 items

Cotton Bowl Girl, Dallas, Texas, 1978

Julie Driscol, 1969

Pete Townshend in Straight Jacket

Faces Falling, Los Angeles, CA, 1973

Billy Preston, Chicago, IL, 1979

Pete Townshend in New York City, 1980

Stewart and Wood Backstage, 1974

2 unlabeled

Box

3S062.2

Black and white, 12 mounted, 24 items

Keith Moon, Flynt, MI, 1968

"Uncle" Russ Gibb, Disc Jockey and founder of Grande Ballroom, WKNR radio studio, 1968

Bunkey and Jake, New York, 1967

Harry Tibbits, Traffic's Roadie, New York City, 1968

Joe Walsh, Kent State, OH, 1970

MC5, Basement Rehearsal, Ann Arbor, MI, 1968

Elvis Costello, First U.S. Tour, 1970

Faces Roadies, Kansas City, MO, 1973

John Wolfe, 1967

Dave Dixon, DJ, wrote "I did rock and roll"

Stewart, Backstage, Los Angeles, CA, 1973

Smokey Joe Walsh's Road Mgr., Cleveland, OH, 1976

Dallas, Firefall's Roadies, 1976

Roger Daltry and Friend, Magic Bus Tour, Northern CA., 1967-1968

Patrick Cullie, roadie and cop, Goose Lake Festival, 1971

Elvis's Tour Plane, Faces Tour, argue over costs, 1973

Tommy Nixon, Eagles Roadie, Dallas, TX, 1980

Bill Graham and son, San Francisco, CA, 1975

Glen Frey, Austin, TX, 1980

First Girl Roadie I Ever Saw, Who Tour, 1982

Looking out of "Riot Hyatt" on Sunset Strip, Los Angeles, CA., 1973

Larry Burnet, Lead Guitar for Firefall, Miami, FL, 1978

Box

3S199d

16 x 20 in. box [Click for images in this box]

Black and White, mounted, 17 items

Ted Nugent--Amboy Dukes, 3rd Power Farm, Farmington, MI, 1969

Joe Walsh at Home Forming the Band "Barnstorm," 1975

Steve Humphrey, 1973

Billy Preston, 1978

Jesse, Ed Davis' son, 1975

Jake Rivers, founded Stiff Records and Elvis Costello, 1979

Ibiza, Spain morning, 1962-1964

Basket in the Grass

Lady at Door, Ibiza, Spain, 1962-1964

Man with Head in Hands, 1962-1964

Girl with Horse

Miami Stadium, First Farewell Who Tour, 1989

Chuch, Ronnie and Keith, Toronto, 1978

Moon, 1967

Stretch, Welder at Goose Lake, 1970

Cotton Bowl Stage, Who, Billy Squire, Thunderbirds, 1978

Jimmy Vaughn, Austin, TX, 1980

Box

3So35

21 x 25 in. box

Black and White, mounted, 15 items

Out of plane window, Faces Tour, Mt. Rainier, 1974

Who audience, Dallas, TX, First Farewell Tour, 1989

Pete Townshend's amp, backstage, 1989

Don Henley, Long Run Tour, Austin, TX, 1980

Albert Hotel, New York City, 1967

box

3So35

Walsh Contact Sheet, Kent, OH, 1970

Limo into Manhattan, Faces Tour, 1974

Kim Wilson, records "How Do You Spell Love?", Austin, TX, 1980

Dancing Nun, Paris, 1964

Man and dog on Ibiza Beach, 1964

Who audience, First Farewell Tour, 1989

Elvis Costello

Paris Photo in Fifth Estate, 1969

From backstage, Michigan Outdoor Festival, Procol Harem, MC5, 1968

Faces, backstage, unmounted print

box

3So60j

Rolled photographs, sepia, 2 items

Entrance #336 Paris, English model for Paris, Vogue on her day off, 1964-1965

Autumn Faces, Ann Arbor, MI, 1968

Leather bound portfolio of 32 sepia toned prints, undated

box

2.325/V85c

Joe Walsh

Mark Patterson

Joe Walsh's roadies