Celebrity photographer, journalist, historian and speaker, Ian Wright' iconic images of the Beatles are some of the earliest known and form the heart of a permanent exhibition at the Globe Theater in Stockton on Tees which was opened by the Duke of Gloucester in October 2021. Coincidentally, Ian's first professional gig was by royal appointment when the Duke of Edinburgh visited Ian's home town of Darlington. The Northern Echo arranged for Ian who was only 14 and a junior darkroom boy, to photograph the Duke, These photographs were published the next day in an "Echo" special supplement, thus beginning a seven decade journey. Too young to drive, Ian bicycled to local venues photographing emerging artists of the swinging 60s, including the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Dusty Springfield, Jimi Hendrix, Animals and Searchers.

Moving to the Sunday Times of London in the 1970s, Ian photographed an amazing list of movie stars, politicians and major world events. Ian was the lead photographer at Princess Diana’s wedding and his photograph of “The Kiss” on the balcony at Buckingham Palace was syndicated worldwide. For the BBC Ian was sent to photograph all the celebrities appearing on the Royal Command Performances during the 1980s including, Dietrich, Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. and Larry Hagman. Join Ian on an incredible journey with his legendary photographs, fascinating backstage anecdotes, impressions and that 60s fabulous music!

THE BEATLES BEFORE THEY WERE FAMOUS
Ian’s photographs and anecdotes of the first six months of the Beatles career as they rose from the dregs of Hamburg to the bottom of the bill on a UK variety show tour.

BEATLEMANIA
Ian’s photographs and anecdotes of the second six months of their career as they become superstars and perform at the top of the bill at the Royal Command Performance.

POP STARS IN THE SWINGING 60s
Ian’s photographs and anecdotes of an A to Z of 60s pop stars, including: How PJ Proby got the sack. Tom Jones’ first major gig, Engelebert Humperdinck’s name change, Cliff Richard, Cilla, Sandy, Adam, Lulu, Dusty finds a lost dog and Jimi Hendrix's debut gig

ROYALS AND MOVIES STARS
Ian Wright, from his first ever photograph by Royal appointment to lead photographer at Diana’s wedding, to Elizabeth Taylor, Peter O’Toole, Sophia Loren, Jayne Mansfield and a chance meeting with the real James Bond at Goldeneye in Jamaica.

JOHN LENNON'S PERRILOUS VOYAGE
Through his own experiences with Lennon, Ian details John's voyage aboard his yacht through the Bermuda Triangle in the teeth of a hurricane. After five dry years, his writing muse returned inspired by a flower in the botanical gardens of Hamilton and his new and final album Double Fantasy
was born.

WHAT INSPIRED LENNON AND MCCARTNEY
Using Lennon’s and McCartney’s music and Wright’s photographs, Ian describes his unique friendship with the legends, incorporating backstage anecdotes that reveal an incredible insight into the inspirations that created what many people regard as the greatest composers of the last century.

GEORGE AND RINGO
Ian’s personal biographies of the other two Beatles, George, the perfectionist and Ringo the sweetheart of the group.

THE ROLLING STONES FROM PEANUTS TO MILLIONAIRES
Ian's lifelong friendship with Mick Jagger goes back to the early years when he photographed them on their first performances outside of London. and Jagger revealed his secret pact with the band.

The following recent Cruise History has been recorded for this candidate.