An afternoon of excitement with Cliff Richard’s superfans
- Text by Niall Flynn
- Photography by Robin Mellor
Last summer, when Robin Mellor made plans to visit a psychedelics conference in London, he did so believing that its attendees would be the most interesting people to photograph in the immediate area. Wrong!
Very wrong, actually. Because – unbeknown to him prior to pitching up – the venue also happened to be hosting a huge, open-air Cliff Richard concert that very same day. Suffice to say, the British photographer never made it to the psychedelics conference.
“I’d seen the poster outside the venue for his new album, Just Fabulous Rock ‘n’ Roll,” he explains, recalling the afternoon. “It featured 77-year-old Cliff on a motorbike, wearing shades and leather gloves. It looked like Terminator 2 artwork, directed by RuPaul.”
Upon his arrival, Mellor was met with crowds of hysteric, middle-aged superfans, many of whom had followed the singer for the best part of 60 years. Dressed to the nines in Cliff merch – his face, unnervingly impervious to age, plastered across their torsos – they made the perfect accidental subjects for a series of portraits.
“I love anyone with a real passion,” he adds. “It could sound like the most boring, mundane thing to a lot of people, but if that person has a real obsession with it I find it absolutely fascinating.”
His photos – taken of excited fans as they queued to meet their hero – depict the kind of tenacious, unwavering obsession usually equated with a younger generation of Beliebers, Directioners et al.
Mellor even found himself coming away with a newfound respect for the man himself, charmed by the warmth and optimism with which his followers spoke of him. The personalised clothing too, he explains, was a photographers’ dream (honourable mention: the ‘never underestimate a woman who listens to Cliff Richard’ tee).
“It was great chatting with them. They were so full of energy, ready to meet their man. It’s easy to forget that Cliff was once also a movie star and, at one point, regarded as England’s answer to Elvis.”
“Despite all these accolades, though, they were more obsessed with talking about him a person – someone they saw as a kind, generous and thoughtful man, who gave his money to charity and stood for something greater than his career.”
For more of Robin Mellor’s work, see his official website.
Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
You might like
Vintage photos of London street life at the turn of the millennium
London 1995-2005 — In her new photobook, Joan Piekny reflects on a decade shooting the styles and subcultures of the UK capital’s streets, just before technology .
Written by: Miss Rosen
Princess Julia: “I always state my age as I can’t believe I’m still around”
First lady — As the latest Artist-In-Residence of Huck 83, the London nightlife legend speaks to Josh Jones and provides a few recommendations and words of wisdom.
Written by: Josh Jones
A luminous portrait of Black life over six decades
Shared Memories — As staff photographer for The New York Times, Chester Higgins captured Black culture and spiritual connection like no other. A new exhibition celebrates his life and impact.
Written by: Miss Rosen
An intimate window into New York’s ’70s lesbian scene
We Others — An exhibition at The Photographer’s Gallery combines Donna Gottschalk’s unearthed photographs of LGBTQ+ activists and friends, along with Hélène Gianneccini’s written histories.
Written by: Miss Rosen
A tender portrait of life and ritual from Mexico City’s streets
Órale — For the last six years of his life, photographer, collector and designer Michel Hurst documented death rituals, street life and religious pageantry in contemporary Mexico. A new monograph showcases his work.
Written by: Roxana Diba
In photos: Washington DC’s Black communities facing up to gentrification
A Language We Share — A new exhibition featuring the work of Beverly Price and Gordon Parks preserves historically Black neighbourhoods in the USA, before development and economic forces made them disappear.
Written by: Miss Rosen
