In search of Barney Bubbles
This blew me away tonight:
Bob Wagner commented today on that post about the Barney Bubbles book. It turns out Bob worked on the PXR5 cover, fixing Bubbles' artwork. Remembering how much I loved that cover I went looking for it online and remembered John Coulthart's post on Bubbles way back at the beginning of 2007. I asked John at the time if the PXR5 cover was really by Bubbles and he pointed me at a version by Philip Tonkyn. But that wasn't the one I had, I had the one you can see above.
Anyway, tonight I went looking for John's post again and started to scroll through the comments to find mine. Just out of curiosity I scrolled passed mine. And kept scrolling. And scrolling...And scrolling...And scrolling...oh you get the picture.
Well after I'd moved on, the comments continued – for nearly two years! Right up to the here and now. And to cut a two year story short, have culminated in the publication of the book.
Malcolm Garrett's in there, so is Rick Poynor. Not quite sure who Rebecca and Mike are but feel I should know because they feature significantly and certainly know tons of stuff about the man. David Wills is there too; he was "...a brother of Barney's from 1957 to '82 in work and play. In life, love and ballistics...", to use his own words. And there's even a surprise appearance by Rian Hughes. Oh, and of course Paul Gorman comments (the book's author).
See what you started! Yeah, that post is rather excessive considering I usually get a max of 8 comments and half of them will be mine. Rebecca and Mike are top BB collectors, btw, and staged an exhibition of his work in 2001. David Wills' blog has a post about that event as well as more exclusive BB stories.
Posted by: John Coulthart | 25 November 2008 at 11:29 PM
Can't claim any credit for that. Mine was a tiny contribution, it was you and everyone else that made it into something. Brilliant stuff. Can't wait to get hold of the book.
Posted by: acejet170 | 25 November 2008 at 11:32 PM
Thanks a lot for linking us back to that 'incredible' post, a real magnet for ex-colleagues, friends and fans - and some brilliant stories! - what a great, little example of what internet can do. Just got word that my copy (of the book) is on it's way - I hope it's as equally enthralling
Posted by: Derek Stewart | 27 November 2008 at 09:40 AM
I found John's post after seeing your mention of the forthcoming book. It's a great article, well worth a read. I can remember copying the Space Ritual artwork onto my denim jacket when I was a kid. Can't wait to get a copy of the book which will accompany a delve into my old Hawkwind albums over the coming weeks.
Posted by: Andy Field | 27 November 2008 at 01:50 PM
Yes, you quoted my words right, but I was wrong, I knew Barney on and off from Sept, 1958 through May, 1983.
Posted by: david wills | 01 January 2009 at 07:38 PM
According to rANDm the Hawkwind cover shown is not the original (no searchlights), see my site. And there are some folk who mention that they think the PXR5 cover ain't no Barney, since you ask.
Posted by: david wills | 01 January 2009 at 07:38 PM
I've had my doubts about the PXR5 cover. John pointed me towards that other version by and the one hear isn't in the book of course even though, I at least think it's superb - which further suggests it's not by BB, but it is very Bubblish isn't it? And it's from around the right time but I included it in this post in the hope it might provoke comment and confirmation one way or another.
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