Dave Vanian, lead singer of The Damned, at the bullring entrance as he waits to perform. The First European Punk Rock Festival, Mont de Marsan, August 1976.

At the time, I said of the Damned: ‘Within the bounds of their musical knowledge they create a finely expressive speedy panoply of drama, they have great intros, memorable riffs and use harmony to add texture just where it’s needed.’ What struck me about the message on the back of Vanian’s hand-made t-shirt was how at age 20, he was already aware of the significance of early death and fame in the rock star system. Fascinated by all things gruesome and horrifying, Vanian later became a major influence on Goth subculture.