Photographer Richard Young Reflects on 'Dear' Relationship with Amy Winehouse
Celebrity photographer Richard Young, best known for capturing iconic figures such as Elizabeth Taylor and Mick Jagger, has provided a rare and heartfelt insight into his distinguished career during a recent appearance on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs. Young spoke with deep affection about his "dear" relationship with the late singer Amy Winehouse, alongside poignant reflections on his interactions with Princess Diana.
A Night of Grammys and Bagels with Amy Winehouse
Young recounted a memorable evening when he was invited to photograph Amy Winehouse on the night she won her first Grammy awards. Unable to attend the ceremony in the United States, Winehouse was at Riverside Studios in Hammersmith. Young received a call from Universal Music's public relations team while en route to a hotel, urging him to come down and document the event. "We've got this thing going on... Amy's here. There's a possibility she might get one or two awards. We would love you to come down and photograph it," he recalled being told.
The atmosphere was described as vibrant and emotional, culminating in Winehouse securing an impressive five Grammys. During the evening, a playful moment occurred when Winehouse's mother, Janis, offered Young a bagel. Amy interjected humorously, saying, "he's fat enough as it is, he can't have another bagel." Young captured an "incredible photograph" of Winehouse cuddling her crying mother on stage, a moment he described as "just so beautiful." He selected Winehouse's hit song "Rehab" as one of his desert island discs, noting that it "tells the story of the night."
Fond Memories of Princess Diana and Early Career Beginnings
Young also reflected on his "very, very nice" relationship with Princess Diana, highlighting an early portrait of her in a black Elizabeth Emanuel dress as his favourite. His journey into photography began after being expelled from school at the age of 14, alongside his best friend Mark Feld, who would later become Marc Bolan of T. Rex. Young, who was also acquainted with musician Leonard Cohen, admitted his love for musicians, having once aspired to be one himself.
Among his other musical selections for the show were T Rex's "Cosmic Dancer" and Bob Dylan's "Positively 4th Street." He told presenter Lauren Laverne that many of the artists he chose had welcomed him "into their homes, into their work environment," underscoring the trust and rapport he built with his subjects.
The Essence of Photography and Career Reflections
Reflecting on his craft over a 52-year career, Young emphasized the importance of storytelling in photography. "The most important thing about a photograph is, if it doesn't tell a story, then it's not really worth having," he stated. While acknowledging some regrets, he expressed profound gratitude for the trust placed in him by the many iconic figures he photographed. "A lot of people know that they can trust me and they like me, so I've been very, very fortunate," he concluded, offering a humble yet proud perspective on his life's work.
