UK music show Top Of The Pops was one of the longest running TV show in British television history, running from the early 1960s until 2006. It was most UK kid’s entry into the world of popular music and “playing Top Of The Pops” became the yardstick for success for nearly every British, or visiting US band and during its heyday in the 60s and 70s it became THE symbol of “swinging London” and played host to most of the massive, legendary acts from both sides of the Atlantic. The show’s official photographer during these years Harry Goodwin had unprecedented access to these performers and produced some of the most iconic rock photography ever. Now the Victoria and Albert museum in London has collected Goodwin’s shots for an exhibition and book entitled “My Generation: The Glory Years Of British Rock”.

Spanning Goodwin’s relationship with the show between 1964 to 1973 it includes over 200 shots of acts such as the famous image of Hendrix playing his guitar with his teeth and a shocked Bob Dylan (after Goodwin deliberately startled him with his flash for being difficult). It also follows the careers of regulars on the show such as The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, The Who and Rod Stewart as they matured from their early days as teeny-bop pop combos to fully fledged rock giants.

My Generation: The Glory Years Of British Rock” is at the V&A museum in London until 24th October, the book is also available now.