Adam Faith
(1940-2003), Singer and actorSitter in 19 portraits
Born Terence Nelhams, Adam Faith made his first public appearances at the 2i's Coffee Bar, Soho, where he came to the attention of producer Jack Good, who promoted him in the BBC music TV seriesDrumbeat in 1959. Faith’s first hit single 'What Do You Want?’ reached the top spot in November 1959 and was featured on the soundtrack of the film Saturday Night and Sunday Morning (1960). This early success continued with the No. 1 'Poor Me' in January 1960 and a further four Top 5 singles, and a Top 10 album throughout 1960. A string of chart successes followed over the next few years. Faith's handful of early film appearances generally enhanced his musical image, most notably Beat Girl (1961). He turned increasingly to acting on the stage during this period, and by the 1970s had moved on to a career in business, with a successful finance company and a directorship of the Savoy Hotel. He returned to repertory theatre work in the 1970s and created the title role of the series Budgie, which he later brought to the stage. Faith also resumed his film career, most notably in the 1975 film Stardust.
by Tom Blau
modern bromide print from original negative, 1960
NPG x133000
by Rex Coleman, for Baron Studios
5 x 4 inch film negative, 7 November 1961
NPG x125752
by Daniel Farson
vintage bromide print, 1962
NPG x135678
by Daniel Farson
vintage bromide print, 1962
NPG x135679
by Cecil Beaton, for Camera Press
bromide press print, 1962
NPG x194379
Anne Larson; Primrose Austen; Mary O'Flaherty; Adam Faith; Jill Kennington; Celia Hammond
by Norman Parkinson
bromide print on card mount, 15 October 1962
NPG x30035
by Bob Collins
bromide print, 1964
NPG x136332
by Ian Wright
bromide print, 11 March 1965
NPG x132240
Jackie Faith (née Irving); Adam Faith
by Keystone Press Agency Ltd
bromide press print, 19 August 1967
NPG x194362
Sheet music cover for 'What Do You Want?' by Adam Faith
published by Mills Music Ltd, after Unknown photographer
halftone reproduction, published 1959
NPG D48587
Sheet music cover for 'How About That!' by Adam Faith
published by Mills Music Ltd, after Unknown photographer
halftone reproduction, published 1960
NPG D48390
Sheet music cover for 'Lonely Pup (In a Christmas Shop)' by Adam Faith
published by Mills Music Ltd, after Unknown photographer
halftone reproduction, published 1960
NPG D48391
Sheet music cover for 'Don't That Beat All' by Adam Faith
published by Downbeat Music Ltd, after (Dezider) Dezo Hoffmann
halftone reproduction, published 1962
NPG D48392
Sheet music cover for 'As You Like It' by Adam Faith
published by Downbeat Music Ltd, after (Dezider) Dezo Hoffmann
halftone reproduction, published 1962
NPG D48393
Sheet music cover for 'Hand Me Down Things' by Adam Faith
published by Edwin H. Morris & Co Ltd, after Unknown photographer
halftone reproduction, published 1965
NPG D48394
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