Nieznane zdjęcie Davida Bowiego znalezione w domu fana popu

A bizarre unseen, early photograph of David Bowie has been unearthed in the home of a former pop heartthrob. Arthur Sharp was the dual lead singer with ‘60s sensation The Nashville Teens - arguably Britain’s first boy band. When he passed away at the age of 83 on Christmas Day, 2023, every room, nook and cranny - plus the garage - at his Watford home was crammed with hundreds of musical treasures. Such was the volume, relatives considered taking items to a charity shop, or even the tip, but decided to call in antiques expert Irita Marriott. The Derbyshire-based auction house owner, a familiar face on TV’s Bargain Hunt and Antiques Road Trip, was astonished by what she found - with the Bowie photograph, taken when he was an unknown teen, a particular highlight. Irita said: “I was gobsmacked. It was absolutely amazing. Box after box of incredible music memorabilia was all over the house including an unseen photo of David Bowie taken before he was famous and changed his name. In 1962 he was known as David Jones, 15 years old and a fan of The Nashville Teens. He turned up at gigs and befriended Arthur who was happy to nurture him. “Arthur took a quirky photo of Bowie with a sheet round his naked body but still wearing a sock sitting on a wooden chair. It offers an early glimpse of a musical icon. That image alone could sell for £600 at auction and the entire collection could achieve £10,000 under the hammer.” The memorabilia also revealed a love story. In 1964 The Nashville Teens were flying high in the charts in the UK and America thanks to their biggest hit Tobacco Road. The band were booked to appear on TV’s Ready Steady Go! On the same night beautiful 19-year-old Jeanne Meehan was performing a dance routine with show regular Patrick Kerr. Jeanne and Arthur met and fell madly in love. It was a dream scenario for Cornwall-born Jeanne. She loved the limelight and being part of the London scene. She was swept off her feet by the handsome singer. The Nashville Teens were hot property. Tobacco Road, an iconic song of the decade, roared to number six in the UK charts and reached 14 in the North American charts. Jeanne and Arthur tied the knot in 1965 after she fell pregnant. Jeanne’s sister, June Smith, hosted their reception in her front room. It was the start of a happy marriage that lasted a lifetime. Sadly, Jeanne died aged only 57 from brain cancer in 2002. Arthur never fully recovered. June, 73, a retired secretary from Watford, said: “Arthur doted on Jeanne. He kept her ashes in his bedroom and always put photos of her on Facebook on her birthday. Jeanne was gregarious and so pretty. She loved to dance. She wanted more from life and, thanks to Arthur, she had an amazing time. They were together for 37 years and very happy.” The couple left a lifetime of memories at their Abbots Langley home. Now their love and Arthur’s musical achievements are set to be celebrated at auction. The collection - 81 lots of music memorabilia - will be offered at Irita Marriott Auctioneers and Valuers in Melbourne, Derbyshire, on June 12. June said: “When Arthur passed away we had to clear the house and there was so much stuff we didn’t know what to do with it all. Not just music memorabilia. Arthur liked to collect things and Jeanne loved car boot sales. My husband, Terry, wanted to take some of it to the charity shop or skip it. There was so much. Then a friend suggested contacting an auction house. “There are rare items including vintage posters from The Star Club in Germany and 800 vinyl records. When he was young Arthur worked in a record shop and DJ Mike Read said Arthur guided his music knowledge by telling him what records to buy.” Irita said: “There are so many incredible pieces of memorabilia. What I found particularly fascinating was the Teens ephemera which brings the history of the group to life. It includes the original test pressing of Tobacco Road, behind-the-scenes photos, contracts, promotional images, scrap books, reel tapes, tour itineraries and record company information dating from the 1960s through to the 70s. One letter states the band received a fee of only £65 for a gig in 1973. The collection is being guided at £500-£600. Another rare item is a 1978 ‘Born Again’ Black Sabbath Warner Brothers acetate LP in near mint condition. It has an estimate of £400-£600.” The Nashville Teens formed in Surrey in 1962. They performed in Germany’s Storyville Clubs of Cologne and Frankfurt in 1963 and at The Star Club in Hamburg where they backed Jerry Lee Lewis for his Live at the Star Club, Hamburg album. They also backed Carl Perkins and played with Chuck Berry when he toured Britain. One concert was attended by music producer Mickie Most, who produced the band's 1964 debut single, an interpretation of the John D. Loudermilk song Tobacco Road. The follow-up, Google Eye, reached number 10 in the UK in October 1964. Arthur left the band in 1972. He remained in the music business working for record label Jet Records which had Electric Light Orchestra (ELO), Roy Wood and Ozzy Osbourne on its books. Where: London, United Kingdom When: 06 Jun 2024 Credit: Irita Marriott Auctioneers/Cover Images **EDITORIAL USE ONLY. MATERIALS ONLY TO BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH EDITORIAL STORY. THE USE OF THESE MATERIALS FOR ADVERTISING, MARKETING OR ANY OTHER COMMERCIAL PURPOSE IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. MATERIAL COPYRIGHT REMAINS WITH STATED SUPPLIER.**