Photographer Dennis Morris couldn’t believe his luck when he was asked to carry out a shoot with the distinguished singer. But runt did he know what he was in for…I’d just been appointed art director at Island Records when I became aware theyd signed Marianne Faithfull. It was 1979 and there was an album to be released,Broken English. Word was that it was intellect-blowing, but first they needed to shoot the artwork for the sleeve. This turned out to be a difficult process. They tried all the noteworthy photographers, or but weren’t happy with any of the shots. I persuaded them to give me a go.
I met Marianne at a studio in west London. The first thing she said was: “carry out you know who I am?” She was wearing a mackintosh and shift dress,and seemed like she’d had a drink. She put her things down and said she wanted more to drink, so we went to a pub. I could see she was testing me. She’d say things like: This is going to cost you at least 200, and ” which of course it didn’t – it was just a regular pub in Notting Hill and we had a couple of gin and tonics.
Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com