Billy Fury
© National Portrait Gallery, London
Billy Fury
by David Wedgbury
resin print, 1961
10 1/2 in. x 10 1/2 in. (266 mm x 268 mm) image size
Given by David Wedgbury, 1994
Photographs Collection
NPG x47347
Sitterback to top
- Billy Fury (Ronald Wycherly) (1940-1983), Musician and actor. Sitter in 11 portraits.
Artistback to top
- David Wedgbury (1937-1998), Photographer. Artist or producer associated with 38 portraits, Sitter in 1 portrait.
Linked publicationsback to top
- Whitaker, Robert, Beatles to Bowie: the 60s exposed, 2009 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from 15 October 2009 - 24 January 2010), p. 46
Linked displays and exhibitionsback to top
- Beatles to Bowie: the 60s exposed (15 October 2009 - 24 January 2010)
Events of 1961back to top
Current affairs
Peter Benenson's article The Forgotten Prisoners is published internationally, inspiring the founding of the human rights organisation, Amnesty International.The philosopher and peace activist Bertrand Russell is imprisoned for inciting civil disobedience during a sit down demonstration at the Ministry of Defence and Hyde Park.
The farthing coin - used in Britain for the last 7 centuries - ceases to be legal tender.
Art and science
Rudolf Nureyev defects from the USSR fearing that the KGB would arrest him for being gay and for fraternising with foreigners. After seeking asylum in Paris he set up home in London at the Royal Ballet and began his famous partnership with Margot Fonteyn.The satirical magazine, Private Eye is first published.
International
The East German government erects the Berlin Wall, ceasing free movement between East and West Berlin. The barrier prevented citizens of Soviet controlled East Germany from crossing the border into West Germany to work, or to defect.Yuri Gagarin, the soviet cosmonaut, becomes the first man in space orbiting the earth on the 12th April.
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