Rock and Pop Costume thumbnail 1
Rock and Pop Costume thumbnail 2
Not currently on display at the V&A

Rock and Pop Costume

1981 (made)

While attending Hornsey College of Art on a graphic design course Adam Ant (born Stuart Leslie Goddard) joined ‘50s influenced pub band Bazooka Joe as bass player. The band headlined the first concert played by the Sex Pistols and this new raw sound appealed to Adam Ant. He afterwards formed the band Adam and the Ants which failed to win favour with the British music press, despite that they toured the UK extensively. Around this time Adam appeared in Derek Jarman’s film Jubilee and caught the acting bug.

Adam and the band asked Malcolm McLaren to manage them, which soon led to the separation of Adam and the band. With a change of line up, the Ants returned with a new sound and look and became one of the most successful British acts of the early 1980s. After a string of hits, Adam dissolved the band and continued with a solo music career, interspersed with acting rolls on TV, film, and stage. Adam then started touring his new music, followed by a world tour showcasing his hit albums.


Object details

Category
Object type
Brief description
Short sleeved shirt worn by Merrick, of Adam and the Ants, in the Prince Charming Revue.
Physical description
Short sleeved shirt made of blue and grey diagonally striped nylon with white large collar and v-neck, with layered sleeves and blue and red ribbon embellishments. Attached is a band of ruched red fabric that goes around the shoulders and hangs loosely. On the left side of this band, at the shoulder, are two plastic buckles.
Dimensions
  • Shirt, weight weight: 0.6kg
  • Shirt, widest part, laid flat width: 70cm
  • Shirt, collar to hem length: 70cm
Summary
While attending Hornsey College of Art on a graphic design course Adam Ant (born Stuart Leslie Goddard) joined ‘50s influenced pub band Bazooka Joe as bass player. The band headlined the first concert played by the Sex Pistols and this new raw sound appealed to Adam Ant. He afterwards formed the band Adam and the Ants which failed to win favour with the British music press, despite that they toured the UK extensively. Around this time Adam appeared in Derek Jarman’s film Jubilee and caught the acting bug.

Adam and the band asked Malcolm McLaren to manage them, which soon led to the separation of Adam and the band. With a change of line up, the Ants returned with a new sound and look and became one of the most successful British acts of the early 1980s. After a string of hits, Adam dissolved the band and continued with a solo music career, interspersed with acting rolls on TV, film, and stage. Adam then started touring his new music, followed by a world tour showcasing his hit albums.
Collection
Accession number
S.1636-2010

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Record createdFebruary 1, 2011
Record URL
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