A photographic book providing an in depth view of the 1970 Isle of Wight Festival has reached the Best British Book category in the British Book Design and Production Awards 2009.

What significance has the Isle of Wight Digital Imaging Group to the ‘The Isle of Wight Festival 1970: Six Days That Rocked The World’ publication?  Although compiled by Amateur Photographer Magazine columnist, author and former Fleet Street photographer Bob Aylott, quite a lot of the iconic photographs used within the book were taken by our very own  Mr Paparazzi himself Doug White.

Doug (pictured circa 1970) from Cowes, became a member of the Isle of Wight Digital Imaging Group when we moved our meeting venue to Dimbola Lodge (home of the Isle of Wight Festival Archive) in January 2008.

Publicity surrounding the book, which was launched to highlight the Isle of Wight Festival’s 40th anniversary next year has created a stir worldwide.  The book has been two years in the making for Bob Aylott, Bryn Campbell, Bob Mazzer, Doug White, Ken Beken, Mike Hardy, and Chris Weston, who have contributed to, the most important publication about the greatest pop festival of all time.

With exclusive stories, iconic and unpublished photographs, ‘Isle of Wight Festival 1970, ‘Six Days That  Rocked the World’ is set to go down in rock and roll history.  Commemorative posters such as Jimi Hendrix (pictured), have also been printed as part of the book launch and can be purchased along with the book from www.isleofwightfestival1970.com

Doug’s photographic collaboration in ‘The Isle of Wight Festival 1970: Six Days That Rocked the World’ follows on from the launch of another book ‘The Last Great Event’ which also highlights many of Doug’s photographs featuring the late and to many music aficionados the great Jimi Hendrix.

Doug’s account of how he was able to capture those iconic images just weeks before Hendrix’s death shall remain  a dinner topic for the privileged few, but suffice to say he shares many anecdotes of the performers and festival mayhem, with any eager listeners.

Ranked as a semi professional Doug White is one of the very few photographers to have covered all three early Island festivals 1968-69-70.  Shooting black and white photos of the early rockers, his images have now become historic pop memorabilia. With an eye for a picture and composition his photos have scooped many awards including a finalist in an international competition to find the Photographer of the Year. He still continues to photograph the Island rock festivals to this day.

Photography and cameras has always been Doug’s passion, the interest in photography stems from his late mother Violet Maude, who he always dedicates his, pictures too.  Now 40 years on and despite ill health, he will not give up on his photography, never flinching from adventure, the press pack deadline still in his blood he continues to blag his way into music festivals and the stories he can tell! perhaps we’ll keep those for another day.

As the saying goes god loves a tryer and we feel Doug arrived at the festival gates of photographic heaven a long time ago and long may he continue.

Falcon Press who produced the 1,000 limited edition The Isle of Wight Festival 1970: Six Days That Rocked The World of which 600 copies have already been sold, are delighted to be up for one of the most prestigious prizes in British book publishing.  MD Mark Stephenson said:

“We do a lot of calendars and landscape photography, but we have never entered a book into a competition before. I’m really thrilled it has even got this far.”

Bob Aylott says of the nomination:

“To be shortlisted is an amazing honour for the whole team. There are pages of incredible unseen photographs from photographers who are passionate about their work. Plus back stage interviews from the people who made the festival happen.  Including the real life story of Fairfield Parlour, the band who opened the show on the promise of fame and fortune but discovered the heartache of rock and roll.”

To purchase: Isle of Wight Festival 1970. ‘Six Days That Rocked The World’ the first hardback edition is available on line at www.isleofwightfestival1970.com priced at only £35 + p&p. You can also pick up a copy at Dimbola Lodge in Freshwater on the Isle of Wight to save on postage costs.

• Doug White’s classic image super star Jimi Hendrix was taken  at the original Isle of Wight Festival 1970.
• The Exhibition From The Book   ‘Isle of Wight Festival 1970′ ‘Six Days That Rocked The World’. June- August 2010. (exact dates to be confirmed) Westbury Manor Museum. West Street, Fareham, Hampshire. Open Monday to Friday, 10am – 5pm. Saturday 10am – 4pm  Admission Free.
• These photographs taken by Doug are extremely rare and Southsea Gallery is the only Gallery on the mainland where you can obtain these gem items. The photographs priced at A3 Framed £95 A2 Framed £165 A1 £195 on the web are low resolution to see the originals please contact the Gallery or pop in.   Website
• Doug White even gets a mention on the 30th Anniversary HERE:  Afton 30yrs On

Please Note: Main Source of article derived copyrightIsland Pulse:  Slice of Island Music History Up For Award

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