3 February 2005

“Mona Lisa of rock ‘n’ roll” to appear at Leeds
One of the most widely recognised images in popular music – the cover for the Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band LP – is to appear at the University. The cover of The Beatles’ seminal 1967 album, designed by Sir Peter Blake and his ex-wife Jann Haworth, will appear in a new permanent exhibition in the school of music. Sir Peter Blake, one of Britain’s most acclaimed and influential artists, will open a gallery named after him at the University on February 10.

The Sir Peter Blake Music Art Gallery will house 14 works drawn from his long association with the world of rock music, signed by the artist and countersigned by the musician involved. Other images will include artwork for Eric Clapton, Paul Weller and Brian Wilson, and the two Band Aid and Live Aid covers from 1984 and 1985, each signed by Sir Bob Geldof.

The gallery was organised by Simon Warner from the school of music in collaboration with Pete Smith, Peter Blake’s music art publisher and former Leeds University entertainments secretary. Pete Smith said: "The new gallery installation is a fitting and unique tribute to the work of Sir Peter Blake and his place in the popular music art world.

“As he continues today to create landmark artworks for new albums by such luminaries as Eric Clapton and Brian Wilson, his exhibition documents the influential and universally acknowledged quality of his powerful imagery. The gallery perfectly maps the fascinating visual journey that Peter Blake continues to make with his musical friends."

Simon Warner added: "Peter Blake's name has become synonymous with a roll call of musical excellence, producing albums sleeves for the Who, Eric Clapton, Band Aid and Paul Weller, to name but a few. But his Sgt Pepper design for the Beatles has emerged as his signature piece, an iconic image that has become the Mona Lisa of rock'n'roll. We are thrilled to be the only place in the world where this unique print will be on public display.”

University Vice-Chancellor Michael Arthur and the Yorkshire musician Bill Nelson will also be present at the launch. The official opening by Peter Blake will be followed by a seminar/interview with the artist, led by Simon Warner.

The opening will take place in the foyer of the Clothworkers' Centenary Concert Hall on February 10 at 12.45pm and is open to the public. Tickets for the seminar/interview (1-2pm) are available from the Music School on 0113 3432583 or email music@leeds.ac.uk. Photographers are welcome – please contact the press office on 0113 3434100 for more information.

For more information contact
Hannah Love, press office, University of Leeds, 0113 3436699, h.e.b.love@leeds.ac.uk
Simon Warner, senior teaching fellow, school of music, University of Leeds, 0113 3438235, s.r.warner@leeds.ac.uk

Notes for editors
1. The Clothworkers Centenary Concert Hall was refurbished for the University centenary in 2004. The gallery will be open weekdays from 9am to 4pm.

2. Simon Warner is director of popuLUs – the centre for the study of the world’s popular music. Bill Nelson is an associate member of the centre. More information on the centre can be found at www.leeds.ac.uk/music/research/PopuLUs

3. Pete Smith studied sociology at the University from 1971 to 1974. He was the LUU entertainments secretary from 1973-1974. Further information is available about Peter Blake