Dave Rowntree’s Photographic Chronicle of Blur’s Early Years

Before Blur rose to international fame, drummer Dave Rowntree was not only keeping the beat but also documenting the band’s formative years through his camera lens. As a founding member, Rowntree joined Damon Albarn and Graham Coxon in the late 1980s, capturing candid moments of the group—including bassist Alex James—during their early days. His photographs offer an intimate look at the band’s journey, from casual rides on the London Tube to their first tours in the US and Japan. Rowntree’s images reveal the band’s camaraderie, backstage antics, and the realities of life on the road, such as playing games on the tour bus, relaxing in hotel rooms, and interacting with fans. The photos also highlight cultural differences, like the prevalence of smoking in 1990s Japan and unique fan traditions, such as receiving bags of gifts. Rowntree’s passion for photography started with an Olympus OM-10, and despite technical mishaps—like a faulty lens—he managed to create a vivid visual record. His work, now compiled in the book ‘No One You Know,’ provides a rare, behind-the-scenes perspective on what it was like to be in a young, ambitious band during the exciting and transformative years that led to Blur’s success.