Dennis Morris started
his career at an early age. He was 11 years old when one of his photographs
was printed on the front page of the Daily Mirror. A camera fanatic since
the age of 8, Dennis was known around his East End neighbourhood as Mad
Dennis, due to his preference for photography over football. After inadvertently
stumbling across a particularly feisty demonstration by the PLO one Sunday,
the sharp young Dennis took his film to a photo agency on Fleet Street who
promptly sold it to the Daily Mirror for £16. Accustomed to raising money
for films and camera parts by taking photos of christenings and birthday
parties, Dennis was suddenly on to something; his hobby and all-consuming
passion could be done for a living.
It was whilst bunking off school to wait for Bob Marley to arrive for soundcheck
at the Speak Easy Club on Margaret Street, that Dennis's music photography
career really began. Marley, quite taken with the young teenager who was
waiting for him, invited Dennis to come along and take pictures on the remainder
of the tour. Running home to Dalston, Dennis packed his bag and jumped on
the bus. His photographs of Marley and The Wailers became famous the world
over, appearing on the cover of Time Out and Melody Maker before Dennis
had even turned 17. |