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Adam Faith

(1940-2003), Singer and actor

Sitter 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.

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Adam Faith, by Lewis Morley - NPG P512(9)

Adam Faith

by Lewis Morley
bromide print, 1965
NPG P512(9)

Adam Faith, by Tom Blau - NPG x131951

Adam Faith

by Tom Blau
digital chromogenic print, 1960
NPG x131951

Adam Faith, by Tom Blau - NPG x133000

Adam Faith

by Tom Blau
modern bromide print from original negative, 1960
NPG x133000

Adam Faith, by Rex Coleman, for  Baron Studios - NPG x125752

Adam Faith

by Rex Coleman, for Baron Studios
5 x 4 inch film negative, 7 November 1961
NPG x125752

Adam Faith, by Daniel Farson - NPG x135678

Adam Faith

by Daniel Farson
vintage bromide print, 1962
NPG x135678

Adam Faith, by Daniel Farson - NPG x135679

Adam Faith

by Daniel Farson
vintage bromide print, 1962
NPG x135679

Adam Faith, by Cecil Beaton, for  Camera Press - NPG x194379

Adam Faith

by Cecil Beaton, for Camera Press
bromide press print, 1962
NPG x194379

Adam Faith, by Unknown photographer - NPG x198507

Adam Faith

by Unknown photographer
gelatin silver print, 1963
NPG x198507

Adam Faith, by Ian Wright - NPG x132240

Adam Faith

by Ian Wright
bromide print, 11 March 1965
NPG x132240

Jackie Faith (née Irving); Adam Faith, by Keystone Press Agency Ltd - NPG x194362

Jackie Faith (née Irving); Adam Faith

by Keystone Press Agency Ltd
bromide press print, 19 August 1967
NPG x194362

Adam Faith, by Max Adelman - NPG x132265

Adam Faith

by Max Adelman
archival digital print, 1986
NPG x132265

Sheet music cover for 'What Do You Want?' by Adam Faith, published by Mills Music Ltd, after  Unknown photographer - NPG D48587

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 - NPG D48390

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 - NPG D48391

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 - NPG D48392

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 - NPG D48393

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 - NPG D48394

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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