Ella Fitzgerald with Johnny Ray, 1958

The V&A's Harry Hammond Photographic Collection comprises over 9,000 images, chronicling the British popular music scene in the 1950s and 60s. Harry Hammond (1920–2009) is regarded as the founding father of music photography. After his service as a reconnaissance photographer during WWII, he returned to London, where he worked as a freelancer, covering society events. Through these events he developed an interest in the musicians performing and followed them back to the home of London's music industry 'Tin Pan Alley' (Denmark Street). For over two decades, he photographed British and visiting American stars on and off stage.